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 5 of 96
1i
3
Introduction
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first trip ................ 50 - 51
Important notes ........... 52 - 54
Easy lift mechanism ..... 55 - 61
Running in ................... 62 - 63
Seat belt ...................... 64 - 69
Before you start ................... 70 
Starting ............................... 71 
Telltale and warning
lights ........................... 72 - 73
Riding .......................... 74 - 75
Passenger ..........................  76
Brakes ................................. 77 
Anti-lock brake 
system (ABS) ............... 78 - 82Arrive safely
Reliability ......................83 - 84
BMW Service .....................  85
Environmental protection ...  86
BMW accessories ..............  87
Training means extra 
safety .................................  88
Concluding thoughts ..........  89
Contents
 
     
        
        Page 12 of 96
11
10
General information and controls
1Speedometer
2 Trip meter/odometer (
b12)
3 Telltale and warning lights 
(
b11)
4 Fuel gauge
5 Adjusting button (
b13)
– Clock - minutes
6 Clock 7
Adjusting button for:
–Trip meter/odometer 
(
b12)
– Resetting the trip meter 
(
b12)
– Clock - hours (
b13)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
Instrument panel
657
3142
  
     
        
        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 19 of 96
111
17
General information and controls
Hazard warning flashers*
\f Note:
The ignition must be switched 
on before the hazard warning 
flashers can be used.
Do not use the hazard warning 
flashers for longer than abso-
lutely necessary.
Note state of battery charge.
Switching on the hazard 
warning flashers:
 Switch on the ignition
 Operate hazard warning 
flasher switch 1
– Hazard warning flashers in 
operation
– Repeaters  2 and  3 for 
left/right turn indicators in the 
cluster flash (
b11)
 Switch off the ignition
– The hazard warning flashers
continue to operate
Switching off the hazard 
warning flashers:
 Operate hazard warning 
flasher switch 1 
– Hazard warning flashers 
cease to operate
– Telltale lights 2  and 3 for 
left/right turn indicators in the 
cluster OFF (
b11)
* Optional extra
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for 
description
Hazard warning flashers*
32
1
  
     
        
        Page 30 of 96
2
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 42 of 96
2
40
Safety check
Lights
Checking lights
e Important:
Always check that all lights are 
in full working order before you 
ride off.
\f Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes 
at twice the usual speed: 
Defective flasher bulb.
Changing bulbs of parking 
lights, low-beam and high-
beam headlight, rear light and 
brake light: (
bService and 
Technical Booklet, Chapter 2)
Headlight beam setting for 
riding on left/right
If the BMW C1 is ridden in 
countries where the opposite 
rule of the road applies, its 
asymmetric dipped beam will 
dazzle oncoming traffic.
To avoid this form of dazzle, 
cover the appropriate section of 
the headlight glass with a mask. 
Available from authorised 
BMW dealers.
Your authorised BMW dealer 
will be glad to provide any 
assistance you may require.
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
  
     
        
        Page 43 of 96
2
41
Safety check
Lights
Map-reading light
d Warning:
Road safety legislation pro-
hibits the use of the map-
reading light while the vehicle 
is moving - the light could dis-
tract other road users.
Adjusting beam throw
e Important:
Adjust the beam throw of your 
headlight to suit load condition 
only when the BMW C1 is sta-
tionary.
Have the headlight basic set-
ting adjusted by a specialist 
workshop, preferably an 
authorised BMW dealer.
\f Note:
Adjust beam height so that on-
coming traffic is not dazzled.
Make sure that the throw of the 
light cone adequately illumi-
nates the road ahead of you.