R50 5

1969 BMW R50 5 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in BMW's allround motorcycle lineup, the 1969 BMW R50 5 relies on a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) air-cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 32 HP (23.3 kW) at 6,400 rpm while maximum torque reaches 39 Nm (28.8 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 64.3 HP per liter and a 1,400 rpm working window between peak torque (5,000 rpm) and peak power (6,400 rpm), the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the R50 5 measures 195 kg (430 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.16 HP/kg (6.09 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 850 mm (33.5 in) seat height — resulting in a taller command-style riding posture suited to medium-to-tall inseams, combined with a 1,385 mm (54.5 in) wheelbase engineered for quick, flickable steering geometry. The 24-liter (6.3 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 5.1 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 471 km (293 miles) between fill-ups, while factory top speed is listed at 157 km/h (98 mph).