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 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.
  
     
        
        Page 72 of 96
33
70
Starting – Riding – ParkingIn an emergency only:
• Move switch 1 to the 
V 
position.
– The electrical circuits for the  BMS engine management 
system, fuel pump and starter 
motor are deenergised
Switching on the ignition– Kill switch 1  in the run 
position
U
 Deactivate the alarm system*  (
bRider's Manual,  optional 
accessories)  The ignition switch should 
be ON
N (b15)
– The following warning lights 
are on:
– Engine oil pressure 
p 
(
b72)
–Coolant temperature
j, 
goes out after 
approx. 5 sec (
b73)
– Fuel level 
m (b73)
– ABS telltale lights* go out  when the self-test com-
pletes successfully (
b79)
*Optional extra
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for 
description
Before you start
V
U
1
  
     
        
        Page 74 of 96
33
72
Starting – Riding – Parking
Engine oil pressureThered p warning light  1 goes 
out when the engine starts and 
accelerates above idle speed
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
e Important:
If the red 
pengine oil pres-
sure warning light  1 comes on 
during the journey, take the fol-
lowing action as soon as traffic 
conditions permit: 
• Operate the emergency off 
switch
 Bring the BMW C1 safely to a  halt
 Check engine oil level (
b30)
 Add engine oil if necessary
– If the oil level is correct,  always consult a specialist 
workshop without delay, pref-
erably an authorised BMW 
dealer.
Telltale and warning lights
1