BMW R52 Specs (Top Speed | Horsepower | Weight)

The BMW R52 motorcycle specifications include a 486 cc (29.66 cu in) engine, power of 12 hp (8.7 kW) @ 3,400 rpm, a 3-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 152 kg (335.1 lb).

Key specifications

1928-1929Model years
486 ccDisplacement
12 hpPower
152 kgWet weight
12.5 LFuel tank
1,400 mmWheelbase
Model years covered
19281929

Year-specific specification changes

No material specification changes from the 1928 baseline were found in the available data.

How the BMW R52 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 power12 hp
Low 12 hpAverage 81.6 hpHigh 193 hp

About 85% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 3rd percentile across BMW models.

Displacement486 cc
Low 247 ccAverage 909 ccHigh 1,649 cc

About 47% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 9th percentile across BMW models.

Wet weight152 kg
Low 130 kgAverage 226.7 kgHigh 364 kg

About 33% lighter than the BMW database average. Around the 6th percentile across BMW models.

Fuel capacity12.5 L
Low 9.8 LAverage 19.2 LHigh 30 L

About 35% smaller than the BMW database average. Around the 7th 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 power3rd

12 hp — more powerful than about 3% of BMW models with power data.

Displacement9th

486 cc — larger displacement than about 9% of BMW models.

Wet weight6th

152 kg — heavier than about 6% of BMW models, or lighter than about 94%.

Fuel capacity7th

12.5 L — larger than about 7% 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 length2,100 mm
This bike

2,100

BMW avg

2,193

4% below 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 • 486 cc • Air cooled • 12 hp
Chassis snapshot

Wheelbase 1,400 mm
3-speed • Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) • 3.50-26.00 front / 3.50-26.00 rear

Additional useful specifications

Front tire size 3.50-26.00
Rear tire size 3.50-26.00
Estimated theoretical fuel range 357 km
Power-to-weight ratio 0.079 hp/kg
Power-to-weight 78.9 hp/tonne
Specific power 24.7 hp/L

Engine specifications

Engine type Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Displacement 486 cc (29.66 cu in)
Power 12 hp (8.7 kW) @ 3,400 rpm
Compression ratio 5.1:1
Cooling system Air
Fuel system Carburettor. 22mm BMW Spezial
Fuel control Overhead Valves (OHV)
Ignition Magneto
Starter Kick
Lubrication Wet sump

Transmission and drivetrain

Gearbox 3-speed
Final drive Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive)
Clutch Dry-single plate-cable operated

Chassis and suspension

Frame Steel doble cradle
Front suspension Leading link
Rear suspension Rigid

Brakes, wheels and tires

Front brakes Expanding brake (drum brake)
Front tire 3.50-26.00
Rear tire 3.50-26.00

Dimensions and weight

Wet weight 152 kg (335.1 lb)
Overall length 2,100 mm (82.7 inches)
Overall width 800 mm (31.5 inches)
Overall height 950 mm (37.4 inches)
Wheelbase 1,400 mm (55.1 inches)
Carrying capacity 210kg

Fuel and emissions

Fuel capacity 12.50 L (3.30 US gal)
Fuel consumption 3.50 L/100 km (28.6 km/l or 67.21 mpg)
Greenhouse gases 81.2 CO 2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission)

Performance

Top speed 100.0 km/h (62.1 mph)

Other specifications

Seat Solo seat with springs

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.