RT 200 S

1954 DKW RT 200 S Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in DKW's sport motorcycle lineup, the 1954 DKW RT 200 S relies on a 197 cc (12 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, two-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 11 HP (8 kW) at 5,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 55.8 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 RT 200 S measures 131 kg (289 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.08 HP/kg (11.91 kg per horsepower). The 15-liter (4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 98 km/h (61 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's DKW archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1954 to 1958, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.