If you’ve been a frequent reader here at BMWBLOG, you know Mike DeAmicis is our motorcycle guy. He’s the one who knows about bikes and knows their history. He has a few himself, including a BMW or two, and is a frequent rider. On the other hand, I know about as much about motorcycles as I do about flying a space shuttle. In fact, I’d probably be better at flying the space shuttle.

To be completely honest, I’ve never really had desire to buy or ride a motorcycle. They’re cool and I like looking at different BMW and Ducati bikes, but that’s about the extent of my motorcycle intrigue. However, my eyes did catch a certain vintage motorcycle recently and it’s giving me an itch that I’ve never had before.

The BMW R24 is that bike. I must admit, I don’t know much about it or bikes in general. But it’s so freaking gorgeous to my eyes that I actually desire owning one. Built between 1948 and 1950, the BMW R24 is a post-war piece of history. Powered by a 247cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, pushrod-operated engine with two valves per cylinder, the R24 made only 12 hp. But that doesn’t matter to me, frankly. It has drums for brakes and a spring under the saddle. It’s about as ancient as it gets.

But I love it. I love the driveshaft final drive, rather than the chain of a newer bike, and the old-school simplicity of it. I don’t even know how to ride a motorcycle but I feel like I’d look like Steve McQueen in ‘The Great Escape’ on it.

Having never ridden a bike, I have no idea if this would actually be any fun or not. Its rigid rear suspension looks like it would be wildly uncomfortable over rough pavement and I’d probably fall off. But at least it would be slow enough for me to not kill myself. Sort of.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know about bikes. I’ve never been interesting in owning or even riding one. However, this vintage BMW R24 is calling to me. I covet it greatly and would seriously consider buying one if the price was right, despite not knowing how to ride. I’d learn after buying it, of course, and would probably look like a moron. But I’d be happy just owning it and that’s what car, or bike, enthusiasm is all about, right?