R 16

1930 BMW R 16 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1930 BMW R 16 custom - cruiser motorcycle, BMW pairs a 736 cc (44.9 cu in) twin, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 25 HP (18.2 kW) at 4,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 34 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the R 16 measures 165 kg (364 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.15 HP/kg (6.6 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 1,380 mm (54.3 in) wheelbase engineered for quick, flickable steering geometry. The 14-liter (3.7 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 5 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 280 km (174 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 120 km/h (75 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1930 to 1932, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.