BMW R50 (1955 to 1973)

The R50 Motorrad was introduced in 1955 by BMW. It is one of the most representative classic boxer motorcycles of the post-war era. It features a 494cc air-cooled, overhead-valve (OHV) twin-cylinder boxer engine, paired to a 4 speed manual transmission (5 in the last generation) and shaft drive. The original R50 (1955–1960) offered around 26hp and a balanced character; it was followed by the R50/2 (1960–1969), reinforced for sidecar use and with a more refined chassis and improved reliability; during this period, the R50S (1960–1962) appeared, a sporty and now very rare version with greater power and better performance. Finally, the R50/5 (1969–1973) ushered in the modern era of BMW with a more updated design, 5 gears and smoother operation. The R50 was always known for its exceptional reliability, mechanical smoothness and long-distance capability, making it one of the most highly regarded classic BMWs for both daily riding and collecting. The BMW R50 was produced until 1973.