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.

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

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1934

Origin

Nazi Germany

Crew

1
CREWMEN

Production

1,000
UNITS

Zundapp - Nazi Germany

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

Nazi Germany

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Reconaissance
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.

Weight

419 lb
190 kg

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Zundapp K500W production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

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

Speed

65.2 mph
(105.0 kph)

Range

158.4 mi
(255.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Zundapp K500W production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

None.

K500W - Base Series Designation

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