BMW R61 Specs (Top Speed | Horsepower | Weight)

The BMW R61 motorcycle specifications include a 600 cc (36.61 cu in) engine, power of 18 hp (13.1 kW) @ 4,800 rpm, a 4-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 184 kg (405.7 lb).

Key specifications

1938-1941Model years
600 ccDisplacement
18 hpPower
184 kgWet weight
14 LFuel tank
1,400 mmWheelbase
Model years covered
1938193919401941

Year-specific specification changes

No material specification changes from the 1938 baseline were found in the available data.

How the BMW R61 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 power18 hp
Low 12 hpAverage 81.6 hpHigh 193 hp

About 78% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 8th percentile across BMW models.

Displacement600 cc
Low 247 ccAverage 909 ccHigh 1,649 cc

About 34% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 19th percentile across BMW models.

Wet weight184 kg
Low 130 kgAverage 226.7 kgHigh 364 kg

About 19% lighter than the BMW database average. Around the 13th percentile across BMW models.

Fuel capacity14 L
Low 9.8 LAverage 19.2 LHigh 30 L

About 27% smaller than the BMW database average. Around the 15th 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 power8th

18 hp — more powerful than about 8% of BMW models with power data.

Displacement19th

600 cc — larger displacement than about 19% of BMW models.

Wet weight13th

184 kg — heavier than about 13% of BMW models, or lighter than about 87%.

Fuel capacity15th

14 L — larger than about 15% 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 width815 mm
This bike

815

BMW avg

877

7% below average.

Overall height960 mm
This bike

960

BMW avg

1,199

20% 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 • 600 cc • Air cooled • 18 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 400 km
Power-to-weight ratio 0.098 hp/kg
Power-to-weight 97.8 hp/tonne
Specific power 30.0 hp/L
Bore/stroke ratio 0.90:1 (Undersquare)

Engine specifications

Engine type Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Displacement 600 cc (36.61 cu in)
Power 18 hp (13.1 kW) @ 4,800 rpm
Bore × stroke 70.0 x 78 mm (2.8 x 3.1 inches)
Compression ratio 5.7:1
Cooling system Air
Fuel system Carburettor. Amal
Fuel control Overhead Valves (OHV)
Starter Kick
Lubrication Wet sump

Transmission and drivetrain

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

Chassis and suspension

Frame Steel-double cradle
Front suspension Leading link
Rear suspension Twin shock-Swingarm

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 184 kg (405.7 lb)
Overall length 2,130 mm (83.9 inches)
Overall width 815 mm (32.1 inches)
Overall height 960 mm (37.8 inches)
Wheelbase 1,400 mm (55.1 inches)
Carrying capacity 210kg

Fuel and emissions

Fuel capacity 14.00 L (3.70 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 115.0 km/h (71.5 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.