BMW R17 vs BMW R16 series 5 (1937)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R17stacks up against the BMW R16 series 5. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R17 | BMW R16 series 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1937 | 1934 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 736 cc | 736 cc |
| Horsepower | 33 hp | 33 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 L | 3.7 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 3-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | — |
| Tires | 3.5-19 / 3.5-19 | 3.5-26 / 3.5-26 |
BMW R17 vs BMW R16 series 5 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R17 and the BMW R16 series 5 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R17 brings 33 hp, while the BMW R16 series 5 counters with 33 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: