BMW R50 vs BMW R51 3 (1960)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R50stacks up against the BMW R51 3. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R50 | BMW R51 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1960 | 1954 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 26 hp | 24 hp |
| Fuel capacity | — | 4.5 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 3 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R50 and the BMW R51 3 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R50 brings 26 hp, while the BMW R51 3 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:

