Germany · 1955–1960

BMW R 50

BMW's 1955 R 50 hid its drive shaft inside a new swinging rear arm and paired it with a distinctive leading-link front suspension.

Touring motorcycles

Exact BMW R 50 model as identified by Commons; source does not state the year, market, or restoration originality. Use only as an R 50 family representative, not proof of a 1955 launch example.

Exterior view · Photo shows Exact BMW R 50 model as identified by Commons; source does not state the year, market, or restoration originality. Use only as an R 50 family representative, not proof of a 1955 launch example.. Exact BMW R 50 model as identified by Commons; source does not state the year, market, or restoration originality. Use only as an R 50 family representative, not proof of a 1955 launch example.
BMW R50.JPG · Przemyslaw Jahr / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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A place in vehicle history

More than a set of wheels.

BMW presented the R 50 and sporting R 69 at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1955. They opened the company's full-swing era: both wheels were now guided by swinging arms rather than the older rear plunger arrangement. The R 50 became the calmer 500-class tourer and also found work with police forces around the world.

Look a little closer.

With a sidecar attached, BMW listed a 100 km/h top speed—40 km/h below the solo figure.

Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.

A chassis designed as a whole system

The 1955 generation changed both ends of the motorcycle. BMW used an Earles-type leading-link swing arm in front and a long swing arm at the rear, with the cardan shaft protected inside the right arm. That layout separated the new R 50 visually and mechanically from BMW's earlier plunger-suspension twins.

Source: BMW · Motorräder: Serienmodelle 1923–2004 ↗

Touring did not mean private riders only

BMW's model history says police organizations around the world adopted the R 50, helping government business become an important part of the motorcycle operation. The same features that suited touring—an enclosed final drive, controlled suspension and sidecar capability—also made practical sense for daily official use.

Source: BMW Group Classic · BMW R 50 ↗

Where these facts come from

Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed 2026-10-02.

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