BMW R57 vs BMW R42 (1930)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R57stacks up against the BMW R42. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R57 | BMW R42 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1930 | 1928 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 18 hp | 12 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 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 | 3.5-26 / 3.5-26 |
BMW R57 vs BMW R42 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R57 and the BMW R42 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R57 brings 18 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: