Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed) vs BMW R39 (1974)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed)stacks up against the BMW R39. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed) | BMW R39 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1974 | 1927 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 247 cc | 247 cc |
| Horsepower | 30 hp | 6 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 3-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | — |
| Tires | 3.00-18 / 3.50-18 | 3.5-27 / 3.5-27 |
Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed) vs BMW R39 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed) and the BMW R39 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Yamaha RD 250 (5-speed) brings 30 hp, while the BMW R39 counters with 6 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: