BMW R2: history, specs, pictures

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R2.jpg
BMW R2
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called R2 Series 1, R2 Series2a, R2 Series 233, R2 Series 2 33, R2 Series 3, R2 Series 4, R2 Series 5
Production 1931 - 1936
Class Classic
Engine
air-cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 63.0mm x 64.0mm
Top Speed 59 mph (95 km/h)
Horsepower 7.91 HP (5.9 KW) @ 4500RPM
Fuel System carburetor. amal 18mm
Ignition battery
Transmission Gear box: 3-speed
Clutch: dry-single plate-cable operated
Final Drive Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)
Suspension Front: cartridge
Rear: rigid
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 3.00-25.00
Rear Tire 3.00-25.00
Wheelbase 51.3 inches (1303 mm)
Length 76.77 inches (1950 mm)
Width 33.46 inches (850 mm)
Height 37.4 inches (950 mm)
Seat Height 37.4 inches (950 mm)
Weight 130.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 2.91 Gallon (11.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 2.75 liters/100 km (36.4 km/l or 85.53 mpg)
Related BMW R4
Manuals Service Manual

The BMW R2 Series 5 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1931 and 1936. It could reach a top speed of 59 mph (95 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 7.91 HP (5.9 KW) @ 4500 RPM.

BMW R2

Overview[edit | edit source]

Recognizing the need for a less expensive model to compliment its top-of-the-range twins, BMW introduced its first single-cylinder design – the R39 – in 1925. Powered by a 247cc overhead-valve engine, the R39 came with a three-speed gearbox, and featured shaft drive like the larger models. However, by BMW's standards the R39 was not a great success and this first single-cylinder model was discontinued at the end of 1926. However, the Depression years of the early 1930s brought with them the need for an even simpler - and cheaper - model to compete with the lightweight two-strokes mopping up the lucrative up-to-200cc market. BMW responded with another single, the R2, which appeared early in 1931 and sold well despite the difficult trading conditions. The R2's 198cc overhead-valve engine was housed in a pressed-steel frame similar in design to that of the twins, and like its larger brethren the single employed shaft final drive. Various improvements were made over the next few years as the R2 progressed through Series 1 to 5.


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 63.0mm bore x 64.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 198.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 3-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the dry-single plate-cable operated.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.00-25.00 front tire and a 3.00-25.00 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a cartridge while the rear was equipped with a rigid. The R2 Series 5 was fitted with a 2.91 Gallon (11.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 51.3 inches (1303 mm) long.


1931 - 1936 BMW R2[edit | edit source]

1931 - 1936 BMW R 2

The 1931 BMW R 2 features, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 198cc, single vertical cylinder lump mated to a three-speed manual transmission, that can produce a claimed 8 horsepower and 4500 rpm. This machine also comes with laced wheels, a parallelogram front suspension, a hard-tail rear suspension with a sprung single seat, a large headlight, a rear luggage rack and a drum braking system.

The next years, BMW continued manufacturing the small engines, like R4. Similar to the R 2, it has a 398-cc single-cylinder overhead valve engine that can achieve 12bhp of power at 3500rpm. The R 4 had a great success, 15400 units being produced between 1932 and 1938.

In Media[edit | edit source]