BMW R50 vs BMW R51 (1960)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R50stacks up against the BMW R51. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R50 | BMW R51 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1960 | 1940 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 26 hp | 24 hp |
| Fuel capacity | — | 3.7 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 4-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.50-18 / 3.50-18 | 3.50-19.00 / 3.50-19.00 |
BMW R50 vs BMW R51 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R50 and the BMW R51 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R50 brings 26 hp, while the BMW R51 counters with 24 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: