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 BMW - 200 R 2
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2214

Capacity : 200
Model : R 2
Production : 1931 - 1936
Category : (R) Street Bike

BMW

200 R 2-1931

Quality never comes cheaply

A major surprise of the 1930 Berlin Show was the launch of the BMW R2. Compared with the marque's big bikes, the R2 seemed more like a big toy, though it was fully worthy. BMW had deliberately broken with established concepts and adopted the most sophisticated techniques in order to create a motorcycle that was clean, practical and demanded the minimum of maintenance.

Real Unit Construction

The words "unit construction" were fully justified, with a crankcase with a one-piece rear casing, to which the gearbox was bolted. The bottom part of the cast iron cylinder was encased in this crankcase.

Attractive, but Costly

Three chromed tubes linked the crankcase and the aluminum cylinder head; the outer pair encased the pushrods while the center one was an oil breather. However, until l932, the pushrods and rockers were unenclosed! The power unit was mounted in a neat pressed steel frame, with the company's celebrated shaft drive, making this one of the most attractive small motorcycles of its day. However, all this refinement raised the cost of the new BMW single to prohibitive levels: it was three times the price of a DKW and these were difficult years for the German industry. Notwithstanding that, the 200 R2 remained in production in 1931-36 and over 15,000 were sold, more than any other previous BMW motorcycle. One advantage was that it fell into a class that was exempt from road tax.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 198cc (63x64mm) air-cooled singlecylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 7 hp @ 4000 rpm

Valves: 45-clegree inclined overhead

Fuel System: Sum carburetor

Transmission: dry single-plate clutch; 3-speed hand-change, shaft final drive

Suspension: leaf-sprung leading link (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

WheeJs: 2.50x19 inch wire (front & rear)

Weight: 243 lb

Maximum Speed: 53 mph

 

This was the original version of the little BMW and sold for 975 Reichsmarks in Germany in 1931. 1t was succeeded by the 200cc R20, produced between 1931-36.

 





Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.