BMW R25

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R25.jpg
BMW R25
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called R25 2, R25 3, R 25
Production 1950 - 1956
Class Classic
Predecessor BMW R24
Engine
single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 68.0mm x 68.0mm
Compression ratio 6.5:1
Top Speed 55 mph (88 km/h)
Horsepower 12.74 HP (9.5 KW) @ 5800RPM
Ignition battery
Transmission Gear box: 4-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: single plate dry-cable operated
Suspension Front: cartridge
Rear: telscopic
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 3.27-18
Rear Tire 3.27-18
Wheelbase 52.56 inches (1335 mm)
Length 81.3 inches (2065 mm)
Width 29.92 inches (760 mm)
Height 27.95 inches (710 mm)
Seat Height 28.74 inches (730 mm)
Weight 150.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 3.17 Gallon (12.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 2.90 liters/100 km (34.5 km/l or 81.11 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


The BMW R25 3 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1950 and 1956. It could reach a top speed of 55 mph (88 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 12.74 HP (9.5 KW) @ 5800 RPM.



Design[edit | edit source]

The idea behind the long inlet tract, starting at the front of the bike just beneath front right hand side, of the fuel tank, was to add horsepower. The air filter and choke let air into that long, curved pipe, and that long induction system actually boosted performance.

BMW had been making airplane engines throughout the war (a lot of them based on Pratt and Whitney double-wasp radials, built under license, and BMW did what Opel did during the war; paid their license fees regularly to the American companies entitled to the license fee per unit), so BMW knew about extracting power by tuning induction tracts. There was even an experimental single cylinder-engined bike made by BMW using the cylinder and cylinder head from a Pratt and Whitney double-wasp radial. That bike had churned out even more power!

As another (useless) fact: the R25 engine is exactly half an R50 boxer twin; same cylinder and head, valve gear and so on.

An improved R25/2 version was introduced during 1951 incorporating a stronger crankshaft and minor revisions to the front mudguard stays and seat springing. Built between 1953 and 1956, the final R25 variant - R25/3 - featured a new telescopic front fork, full-width alloy hubs and alloy wheel rims as the principal upgrades.

The R25/3 has a very low first gear. Most German motorcycles of that time had the first three gears fairly close together, with fourth set a long away as a sort of overdrive. Herr Hitler had his country liberally equipped with autobahns, and there were also mountains and towns to deal with!

Sales in Britain[edit | edit source]

One of the main reasons for the BMW R25's lack of sales success in Britain when it was new was the bike's relatively high price. It cost £228 in the UK, at a time when the BSA C11G cost just £150. This can be traced straight back to the government of the day which, for better or worse, insisted that foreign luxury goods coming into the UK should be subject to an horrendous punitive import tax. The price of the 250cc BMWs in Europe - the land mass the other side of the English Channel - was totally different, which is why they were so popular and the factory could sell every one they built.


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 68.0mm bore x 68.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 247.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 4-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the single plate dry-cable operated.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.27-18 front tire and a 3.27-18 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 telscopic. The R25 3 was fitted with a 3.17 Gallon (12.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 52.56 inches (1335 mm) long.

1951 BMW R 25[edit | edit source]

The 1950 BMW R 25 sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 247cc, single cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission that can produce a claimed 12 horsepower at 5600 rpm. Standard features include laced wheels, a pushrod rear suspension with a sprung single seat, a telescopic front fork, a rear luggage rack, wide handlebars, a large headlamp, a small tail light, full fenders and a dry, single plate clutch.

1952[edit | edit source]

1952 BMW R25/2 with Steib sidecar

During the period of 1951-53 BMW produced over 38,000 R25/2 machines which gained a reputation for their reliability and quality. The Steib sidecar was also a product of postwar Germany and had a similar reputation for quality. This model was specifically designed to be attached to the R25. The mirror spot lamp combination is a rare accessory.

1955[edit | edit source]


  • 250cc Single


In Media[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Personal site about BMW R25/3