BMW R42 vs BMW R50 5 (1969)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R42stacks up against the BMW R50 5. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BMW R42 | BMW R50 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1928 | 1969 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 494 cc | 498 cc |
| Horsepower | 12 hp | 32 hp |
| Torque | — | 39 Nm |
| Seat height | — | 34 mm |
| Fuel capacity | — | 6.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 3-speed | 4-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake (drum brake). Duplex full hub |
| Rear brakes | — | Expanding brake (drum brake). Simplex full hub |
| Tires | 3.5-26 / 3.5-26 | 3.27-19 / 4.02-18 |
BMW R42 vs BMW R50 5 — which should you buy?
Picking between the BMW R42 and the BMW R50 5 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R42 brings 12 hp, while the BMW R50 5 counters with 32 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: