BMW R50 OS vs DKW SB 500 (1962)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R50 OSstacks up against the DKW SB 500. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R50 OS | DKW SB 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1962 | 1939 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 35 hp | 15 hp |
| Weight | — | 165 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 6.3 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake). Duplex full hub | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake). Simplex full hub | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.50-18.00 / 3.50-18.00 | 3.5-19 / 3.5-19 |
BMW R50 OS vs DKW SB 500 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R50 OS and the DKW SB 500 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R50 OS brings 35 hp, while the DKW SB 500 counters with 15 hp at 165 kg.
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: