Harley-Davidson Model D vs BMW R12 Twin carb (1942)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Model Dstacks up against the BMW R12 Twin carb. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Model D | BMW R12 Twin carb |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1929 | 1942 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 743 cc | 745 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Weight | — | 185 kg |
| Fuel capacity | — | 3.7 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 3-speed | 4-speed |
| Front brakes | — | Expanding brake (drum brake). Single |
| Rear brakes | — | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3-26 / 3-26 | 3.50-19 / 3.5-19 |
Harley-Davidson Model D vs BMW R12 Twin carb — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Model D and the BMW R12 Twin carb usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Model D brings its published horsepower, while the BMW R12 Twin carb counters with 20 hp at 185 kg.
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: