Page 4 of 96

i
2
Introduction
General information and
controls
Model overview ..................... 4
Optional extras/accessories .. 5
General view, left side ........... 6
General view, right side ......... 7
Safety elements .................... 8
Cockpit ................................. 9
Instrument cluster ............... 10
Telltale and warning lights ... 11
Odometer ............................ 12
Clock .................................. 13
Ignition switch and
steering lock ................ 14 - 15
Switch array ........................ 16
Hazard warning flashers ...... 17
Left handlebar fitting ........... 18
Right handlebar fitting ......... 19
Wiper and washer system ... 20
Front fairing panel ............... 21
Seat .................................... 22
Backrest.............................. 23
Stowage compartment ........ 25
Rear seat ............................ 26
Luggage rack ...................... 27 Safety check
Checklist ............................. 28
Coolant ............................... 29
Engine oil ..................... 30 - 31
Fuel .............................. 32 - 33
Brakes ......................... 34 - 38
Windscreen wiper ............... 39
Lights ........................... 40 - 43
Washer system ............ 44 - 45
Tyres and rims ............. 46 - 47
Accessories and
loads ............................ 48 - 49
Contents
Page 13 of 96
111
11
General information and controls
13476
9
5
8
2
1Flashing turn indicator
repeater, left, green
s
2 “Seat belt ” telltale light, red
1 (b66)
3 Telltale light, high-beam
headlight, blue
q
4 Warning light, engine oil
pressure, red
p
5Warning light, coolant
temperature, red
\b (b29)
– lights up for approx. 5 sec
after ignition is switched
on 6
Warning light, fuel
level/approx. 2.5 litres
(4.4 Imp. pints) remaining in
tank, orange
m (b32)
7 Flashing turn indicator
repeater, right, green
t
8 Warning lights, ABS check,
red
l (b78)
9 Warning lights, ABS check,
red
l (b78)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
Telltale and warning lights
Page 30 of 96
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28
Safety check
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. This is to
ensure that your BMW C1 com-
plies with road-vehicle use and
safety laws.
Your vehicle must be in perfect
technical order: this is a basic
prerequisite for your safety and
the safety of other road users.
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, it is always best to
contact your authorised BMW
dealer. He will provide the nec-
essary advice and assistance. For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
–
Coolant level
– Fuel level
– Windscreen wiper
– Handbrake levers
– Brake pressure
– Brake fluid levels
(front and rear)
– Lights
– Condition of wheels and
tyres, tread depth and tyre
pressures
– Load, gross weight
Check at regular intervals
(each 2nd/3rd stop for fuel):
– Engine oil level
– Brake pads
Checklist
Page 31 of 96
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29
Safety check
Coolant
Checking coolant level
e Important:
Always keep the fluid level
above the minimum mark. Add
coolant only when the engine is
cold.
Place the BMW C1 on its
stand
– after making sure that the
ground is level and firm
Open the seat
Check coolant level in expan-
sion tank:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
e Important:
Never overfill the expansion
tank.
Top up the coolant if neces-
sary (Service and Technical
Booklet
b 24)
Close the seat
\f Note:
If the expansion tank is full and
coolant temperature is high (as
indicated by red warning light
\b
b 11) or coolant consumption
is excessive, consult a special-
ist workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW dealer.
MAX
MIN
Page 32 of 96

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30
Safety check
Engine oil
Winter operation
\f Note:
If temperatures under 10 °C per-
sist for lengthy periods and dur-
ing the cold season of the year,
use SAE 5 W-40 engine oil.
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
Checking the oil level
e Important:
The red
p (b 11) engine oil
pressure warning light indicates
that the oil pump's delivery rate
is too low: it is not an oil level
indicator. The warning light
goes out after 1-2 seconds,
once oil pressure has built up –
the red
p engine oil pressure
warning light must remain off at
all times when the vehicle is in
motion. Check the oil level reg-
ularly, each time that fuel is
added (or at least every second
time). Always check engine oil
level with the engine at its regu-
lar operating temperature. With
the engine at its regular operat-
ing temperature, wait
approx. 1 minute for the oil to
drain back into the sump.
Checking the oil level just after
the engine has been run or
when it is not properly warm will
falsify the reading and could
lead to the engine being operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of
oil.
Page 33 of 96
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31
Safety check
e Important:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– never exceed the maximum
oil level.
– always keep the oil level
above the minimum mark.
Wait one minute after switch-
ing off and check engine oil
level with the engine at regu-
lar operating temperature.
Place the BMW C1 on its
stand
– make sure that the ground is
level and firm
Unscrew and remove
dipstick 1, clean it and push it
back in to check the oil level
(do not screw in)
Check oil level against lines
marked on dipstick:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
The difference is equivalent to
approx. 0.2 litre (0.352 Imp.
pints)
Add engine oil through filler
neck if necessary
Reinstall the dipstick
Engine oil
MAX
1
MIN
BMW recommends Castrol
Page 34 of 96
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32
Safety check
Fuel
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
Fuel expands when hot (for
instance if the fuel tank is in
the sun). When refuelling, in-
sert the pump nozzle fully into
the tank and release the trig-
ger as soon as the pump
shuts down automatically
(tank filled to capacity) (
b 33)
- fuel could escape if you
overfill the tank.
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
e Important:
Note that fuel containing lead
will destroy the catalytic con-
verter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
catalytic converter.
Page 61 of 96
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59
Starting – Riding – Parking
\f Note:
The easy-lift mechanism has
overload protection. If neces-
sary, use your foot to retract the
stand (
b61)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
Hold the BMW C1 upright
Press lever A of the easy-lift
mechanism down
– The stand retracts
– Engine speed is no longer
limited to idle
– You can pull away from rest
Check that lever B is locked
in its bottom position
Check that the stand is fully
retracted
Easy-lift mechanism
A
B