BMW R 37 (1925-1927) Specs, Performance & Photos

During the development of the R32 motorcycle, BMW started developing a more powerful sports motorcycle.

In 1924 at the German Motor Show in Berlin, 14 months after the R32 release, the BMW company presented the R37, a sports motorcycle released to the general public in 1925.

The engine, chassis, and transmission were largely identical to the R32, and the extra power of the R37 was achieved through modified cylinder bores. The touring model engine had side valves, and the sports model featured head valves. The 494cc four-stroke air-cooled engine on the R37 had an output power of 16 hp at 4,000 rpm, eight more than the R32, and a top speed of 115 kph (71 mph).

The chassis was the same as that on the R32, with a double-loop tubular frame that didn’t feature any suspension on the rear, except the wire-spoked wheel and the spring mounted under the seat. On the front side, the bike featured a short swingarm with leaf springs acting as a suspension.

Unlike the R32 which didn’t feature any braking system on the front wheel, the R37 came with a 150 mm drum braking system on the front and a block brake at the rear. The racing version of the R37 featured a cardan brake on the rear wheel.

The 1924 BMW R37 came with features such as front and rear luggage racks, laced wheels with whitewall tires, a center stand, and pull-back handlebars.