BMW R2

The BMW R2 was a 198 cc overhead valve single-cylinder motorcycle that BMW produced between 1931 and 1936, the smallest motorcycle ever to enter series production at the firm. After the 1929 crash hit sales of BMW's expensive large motorcycles, the company wanted a cheaper bike that could also be ridden without a licence, which was not required under 200 cc; it sold as the people's bike at 975 RM against 1,750 RM for the 750 cc R11. Despite its small size it kept features of the larger boxer twins, including shaft drive and a pressed-steel duplex frame, and it used a three-speed gearbox and drum brakes with Bosch electrics. Output was 6 hp, rising to 8 hp with the British Amal carburettor, for a top speed of 95 km/h. The Series 1 of 1931 sold 4,161 units before the improved Series 2A arrived.