| MODEL | BMW R 850C / R 850C AVANTGARDE 1997 - 2000 |
| Year | 1997 - 2000 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, two-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 848 cc / 51.7 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 87.5 x 70.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
| Cooling System | Air/oil cooled |
| Max Power | 37 kW / 50 hp @ 5250 rpm |
| Max Torque | 71 Nm / 7.2 kgf-m / 52 ft-lb @ 4750 rpm |
| Ignition | Electronic, Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 |
| Induction | Electronic fuel injection, Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Gear Box | 5-speed |
| Clutch | Single-plate dry clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Three-section composite frame with front and rear sections, engine as stressed member |
| Front Suspension | Telelever with longitudinal arm and central strut, 145 mm / 5.7 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Monolever single-sided swingarm, 100 mm / 3.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 305 mm discs, 4-piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Single 285 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2340 mm / 92.1 in |
| Overall Width | 1050 mm / 41.3 in |
| Overall Height | 1130 mm / 44.5 in |
| Seat Height | 740 mm / 29.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 1650 mm / 65.0 in |
| Ground Clearance | 173 mm / 6.8 in |
| Dry Weight | 239 kg / 527 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 170/80-B15 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h / 96 mph |
The R 850 C was the smaller sister of BMW's R 1200 C cruiser, using the 848 cc four-valve boxer from the R 850 R detuned to 50 hp for low insurance ratings, in the same Telelever/Monolever chassis with spoked wheels and ABS. The Avantgarde version added a black-finished engine, chrome trim and a different seat, with no mechanical changes. It never sold in large numbers and left the range around 2000-2001.
