BMW R5 Specs (Top Speed | Horsepower | Weight)

The BMW R5 motorcycle specifications include a 494 cc (30.14 cu in) engine, power of 24.1 hp (17.6 kW) @ 5,500 rpm, a 4-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 165 kg (363.8 lb).

Key specifications

1936-1937Model years
494 ccDisplacement
24.1 hpPower
165 kgWet weight
15 LFuel tank
1,400 mmWheelbase
Model years covered
19361937

Year-specific specification changes

No material specification changes from the 1936 baseline were found in the available data.

How the BMW R5 compares

This compares the motorcycle with all BMW models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the BMW database average.

Engine power24.1 hp
Low 12 hpAverage 81.6 hpHigh 193 hp

About 70% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 10th percentile across BMW models.

Displacement494 cc
Low 247 ccAverage 909 ccHigh 1,649 cc

About 46% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 13th percentile across BMW models.

Wet weight165 kg
Low 130 kgAverage 226.7 kgHigh 364 kg

About 27% lighter than the BMW database average. Around the 11th percentile across BMW models.

Fuel capacity15 L
Low 9.8 LAverage 19.2 LHigh 30 L

About 22% smaller than the BMW database average. Around the 19th percentile across BMW models.

This model BMW database average

BMW database percentile rankings

Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the BMW specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.

Engine power10th

24.1 hp — more powerful than about 10% of BMW models with power data.

Displacement13th

494 cc — larger displacement than about 13% of BMW models.

Wet weight11th

165 kg — heavier than about 11% of BMW models, or lighter than about 89%.

Fuel capacity19th

15 L — larger than about 19% of BMW fuel tanks in this database.

Dimensions compared with BMW average

Each measurement is compared with the average value across BMW models where that dimension is available.

Overall length2,130 mm
This bike

2,130

BMW avg

2,193

Close to average.

Overall width800 mm
This bike

800

BMW avg

877

9% below average.

Overall height950 mm
This bike

950

BMW avg

1,199

21% below average.

Wheelbase1,400 mm
This bike

1,400

BMW avg

1,497

6% below average.

Mechanical overview

Engine layout snapshot

Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke • 494 cc • Air cooled • 24.1 hp
Chassis snapshot

Wheelbase 1,400 mm
4-speed • Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) • 3.50-19.00 front / 3.50-19.00 rear

Additional useful specifications

Front tire size 3.50-19.00
Rear tire size 3.50-19.00
Estimated theoretical fuel range 333 km
Power-to-weight ratio 0.146 hp/kg
Power-to-weight 146.1 hp/tonne
Specific power 48.8 hp/L
Bore/stroke ratio 1.00:1 (Square)

Model information

Category Allround

Engine specifications

Engine type Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Displacement 494 cc (30.14 cu in)
Power 24.1 hp (17.6 kW) @ 5,500 rpm
Bore × stroke 68.0 x 68 mm (2.7 x 2.7 inches)
Compression ratio 6.7:1
Cooling system Air
Fuel system Carburettor. Amal
Fuel control Overhead Valves (OHV)
Ignition Battery
Starter Kick
Lubrication Wet sump

Transmission and drivetrain

Gearbox 4-speed
Final drive Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive)
Clutch Dry-single plate

Chassis and suspension

Frame Steel-double cradlel
Front suspension Telescopic fork
Rear suspension Rigid

Brakes, wheels and tires

Front brakes Expanding brake (drum brake). Single
Rear brakes Expanding brake (drum brake)
Front tire 3.50-19.00
Rear tire 3.50-19.00

Dimensions and weight

Wet weight 165 kg (363.8 lb)
Overall length 2,130 mm (83.9 inches)
Overall width 800 mm (31.5 inches)
Overall height 950 mm (37.4 inches)
Wheelbase 1,400 mm (55.1 inches)

Fuel and emissions

Fuel capacity 15.00 L (3.96 US gal)
Fuel consumption 4.50 L/100 km (22.2 km/l or 52.27 mpg)
Greenhouse gases 104.4 CO 2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission)

Performance

Top speed 140.0 km/h (87.0 mph)

Electrical and instruments

Battery Lubrication system

Other specifications

Seat Single seat

Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from BMW models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official BMW information before relying on them. Visit the official BMW website.