R24

1948 BMW R24 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by BMW for the allround motorcycle segment, the 1948 BMW R24 pairs a 247 cc (15.1 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 12 HP (8.7 kW) at 5,400 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 48.6 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 R24 measures 130 kg (287 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.09 HP/kg (10.83 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 710 mm (28 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,330 mm (52.4 in) wheelbase engineered for quick, flickable steering geometry. The 12-liter (3.2 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 3.5 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 343 km (213 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 95 km/h (59 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1948 to 1950, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.