Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, more commonly known as BMW, is a German automobile, motorcycle, and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916 with a current market cap of $53.9 billion. BMW’s motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company manufactured its M2B15 flat-twin engine, designed by Max Friz, for use as a portable industrial engine. The M2B15 was largely used by other motorcycle manufacturers, most notably Victoria of Nuremberg and Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. In 1922, BMW merged with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke and inherited the company’s Helios motorcycle and a small two-stroke motorized bicycle called the Flink. A year after the merger, in 1923, BMW introduced the company’s first “across the frame” version of the boxer engine in its first official BMW motorcycle, the R32. The R32–which became the foundation for all future boxer-powered BMW motorcycles–had a 486 cc 29.7-cubic inch engine with 8.5 horsepower and a top speed of 59 to 62 miles per hour, while the engine and gear box formed a bolt-up single unit. There are currently four lines of BMW motorcycles: F and G series singles, F series twins, R series, and K series, while BMW’s motorcycle manufacturing now operates under the BMW Motorrad brand. Read on for a list of the five most expensive BMW motorcycles ever sold at auction.
5. 1924 BMW 493cc R32 – $135,393
Sold as part of the Willy Neutkens Collection of Important BMW Motorcycles, this 1924 BMW 494cc R32 was one of the first motorcycles sold under the BMW brand, featuring the company’s 493cc, twin-cylinder, sidevalve engine. Designed by Chief Engineer Max Friz, the 1924 R32 is fitted with the optional Bosch lighting set and horn and a Glashutter speedometer. The motorcycle was auctioned by Bonhams in its native Germany in November 2009.
Photo by Bonhams
4. 1925 BMW 494cc R32 – $139,000
Another BMW R32, manufactured one year after the previous model on this list, was auctioned by Bonhams at the Collectors’ Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia auction in Carmel, California in April 2011. Owned by a mechanical engineer, this 1925 BMW 494cc R32 was one of perhaps 60 R32s thought to exist in the world. The vintage motorcycle features the original carburetor and running gear and a rare Norris speedometer option.
Photo by Bonhams
3. 1925 BMW R37 – $218,000
The BMW R37 is the rarest of BMW’s production racing bikes, while this restored 1925 BMW R37 is believed to be the only one still in period racing trim. Auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas, Nevada this past January, the 1925 R37 is one of the most desirable BMW motorcycles ever, featuring an engine with aluminum cylinder heads and overhead valves that helped produce 16 horsepower, taking BMW to the front of the European racing pack.
Photo by Mecum
2. 1954 BMW RS54 Rennsport – $224,078
Considered by many to be the definitive BMW racing motorcycle, this 1954 RS54 was one of only 24 production racers manufactured by BMW. The motorcycle, originally raced with success by German rider Alois Huber, was sold in October 2010 at the Haynes International Motor Museum in England. Auctioned by H&H, the 1954 BMW RS54 Rennsport was in excellent condition and featured a powerful factory short stroke engine that replaced the original engine in the 1960s.
Photo by H&H
1. 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor – $480,000
Auctioned by Bonhams in Las Vegas, Nevada in January 2013, this 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor was a private project owned by Grand Prix motorcycle road racer Walter Zeller. Built using a number of select parts sourced directly from the BMW factory, this BMW RS255 Kompressor used a genuine 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor engine, a 1951 Rennsport “plunger” frame, and featured numerous modifications that helped make it an authentic re-creation spanning the pre and post-war eras.
Photo by Bonhams
Photo by silodrome.com
