NSU 501T vs BMW R42 (1929)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the NSU 501Tstacks up against the BMW R42. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | NSU 501T | BMW R42 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1929 | 1928 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 494 cc |
| Horsepower | 11 hp | 12 hp |
| Weight | 158 kg | — |
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 3-speed | 3-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | — |
| Tires | 3.50-26 / 3.50-26 | 3.5-26 / 3.5-26 |
NSU 501T vs BMW R42 — which should you buy?
Picking between the NSU 501T and the BMW R42 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the NSU 501T brings 11 hp in a 158 kg package, 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: