BMW R52 vs Norton 490 CS 1 (1939)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R52stacks up against the Norton 490 CS 1. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R52 | Norton 490 CS 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1929 | 1939 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 486 cc | 490 cc |
| Horsepower | 12 hp | — |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 3-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | — | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.50-26.00 / 3.50-26.00 | — |
BMW R52 vs Norton 490 CS 1 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R52 and the Norton 490 CS 1 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R52 brings 12 hp, while the Norton 490 CS 1 counters with its own power figure.
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: