The BMW R50 motorcycle specifications include a 494 cc (30.14 cu in) engine, power of 26 hp (19.0 kW) @ 5,800 rpm, a 4-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 195 kg (429.9 lb).
Key specifications
The 1955 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.
How the BMW R50 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.
About 68% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 13th percentile across BMW models.
About 46% lower than the BMW database average. Around the 13th percentile across BMW models.
About 14% lighter than the BMW database average. Around the 20th percentile across BMW models.
BMW database percentile rankings
Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the BMW specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.
26 hp — more powerful than about 13% of BMW models with power data.
494 cc — larger displacement than about 13% of BMW models.
195 kg — heavier than about 20% of BMW models, or lighter than about 80%.
Dimensions compared with BMW average
Each measurement is compared with the average value across BMW models where that dimension is available.
2,125
2,193
3% below average.
660
877
25% below average.
980
1,199
18% below average.
1,380
1,497
8% below average.
Mechanical overview
Additional useful specifications
| Front tire size | 3.50-18 |
|---|---|
| Rear tire size | 3.50-18 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 0.133 hp/kg |
| Power-to-weight | 133.3 hp/tonne |
| Specific power | 52.6 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 | 26 hp (19.0 kW) @ 5,800 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 68.0 x 68 mm (2.7 x 2.7 inches) |
| Compression ratio | 6.8:1 |
| Cooling system | Air |
| Fuel system | Carburettor. 24mm Bing |
| Fuel control | Overhead Valves (OHV) |
| Ignition | Magneto |
| 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 doble loop tubular |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Cartridge |
| Rear suspension | Twin shock-Swingarm |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake). Duplex full hub |
|---|---|
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake). Simplex full hub |
| Front tire | 3.50-18 |
| Rear tire | 3.50-18 |
Dimensions and weight
| Wet weight | 195 kg (429.9 lb) |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 2,125 mm (83.7 inches) |
| Overall width | 660 mm (26.0 inches) |
| Overall height | 980 mm (38.6 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 1,380 mm (54.3 inches) |
| Carrying capacity | 360kg-with sidecar 600kg |
Fuel and emissions
| Fuel consumption | 4.10 L/100 km (24.4 km/l or 57.37 mpg) |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse gases | 95.1 CO 2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission) |
Performance
| Top speed | 140.0 km/h (87.0 mph) |
|---|
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.