R11 Series 2

1930 BMW R11 Series 2 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by BMW for the allround motorcycle segment, the 1930 BMW R11 Series 2 pairs a 745 cc (45.5 cu in) air-cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 18 HP (13.1 kW) at 3,400 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 3-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 24.2 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 R11 Series 2 measures 162 kg (357 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.11 HP/kg (9 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 4.5 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 311 km (193 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 100 km/h (62 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1930 to 1931, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.