BMW R5 vs BMW R42 (1937)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R5stacks up against the BMW R42. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R5 | BMW R42 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1937 | 1928 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 24 hp | 12 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 3-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake). Single | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | — |
| Tires | 3.50-19.00 / 3.50-19.00 | 3.5-26 / 3.5-26 |
BMW R5 vs BMW R42 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R5 and the BMW R42 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R5 brings 24 hp, while the BMW R42 counters with 12 hp.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: