Zundapp K500W

Light Military Motorcycle [ 1934 ]

Zundapp became another supplier of military motorcycles for the German war effort during World War 2 - the K500W was their contribution.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/09/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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BMW secured the rights to stock the reemerging German Army of the 1930s with motorcycles for training and operational service back in 1932 with the R4. However, other suppliers - though not as well remembered - contributed to the mechanized capabilities of German ground forces - particularly its motorcycle troopers. This included Zundapp of Nurnberg which supplied its civilian-minded, light-class K500W models primarily for training (though the necessities of war pressed them into the dispatch role for which they were not intended for and, thusly, suffered as a result). Procurement of K500W bikes spanned from 1934 and lasted until 1938.

The military models retained the form and function of their civilian counterparts. A 2-cylinder, 4-stroke opposed engine was used outputting 16 horsepower at 4,800rpm. The engine sat under the rider in the usual way with the frame of the bike being completed through a pressed-steel process. Road speeds could reach 105 kmh.

Like other German wartime bikes, this series saw service into the war's final days.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Zundapp - Nazi Germany
Manufacturer(s)

Nazi Germany
Operators

1934
Service Year

Nazi Germany
National Origin

1
Crew

1,000
Units

RECONNAISSANCE
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.

UTILITY
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.

419 lb
(190 kg)
Weight

1 x 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, 498cc opposed piston engine developing 16 horsepower at 4,800rpm.
Drive System

65 mph
(105 kph)
Road Speed

158 miles
(255 km)
Road Range

None.

AMMUNITION
None.

K500W - Base Series Designation

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Land Systems / Battlefield

Zundapp K500W

Light Military Motorcycle [ 1934 ]

Zundapp became another supplier of military motorcycles for the German war effort during World War 2 - the K500W was their contribution.

Specifications