Page 4 of 92

i
Introduction
12
2
12
i
General information and 
controls
General view, left side ........... 4
General view, right side ......... 5
Cockpit ................................. 6
Telltale and warning lights ..... 7
Ignition switch and 
steering lock ...................... 8-9
Handlebar fittings ........... 10-11
Hazard warning flashers ...... 12
Dualseat cover ............... 13-14
Dualseat .........................15-16
System case .................. 17-19 Safety check
Checklist ........................ 20-21
Engine oil  ...................... 22-23
Fuel ................................ 24-25
Handlebar levers ............ 26-27
Brake system - general.... 28-29
Brake system - without
BMW Integral ABS ......... 30-32
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS ......... 33-36
Clutch ................................ 37
Lights ............................ 38-39
Shock absorbers ........... 40-41
Suspension spring 
preload ............................... 42
Wheels ........................... 43-44
Accessories and 
loads ............................. 45-46
Contents
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i
3
Introduction
34 34
i
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first journey ........... 47-48
Important notes ............. 49-51
Side stand ..................... 52-53
Main (centre) stand ........ 54-55
Running in ..................... 56-57
Before you start ............. 58-59
Starting ......................... 60-61
Telltale and 
warning lights ................ 62-63
Riding and
changing gear ............... 64-65
Brake system 
- general ........................ 66-67
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS......... 68-75
BMW Integral ABS 
- Fault table ......................... 75Arrive safely
Reliability ........................76-77
Service worldwide ............... 78
Environmental protection .... 79
BMW rider's equipment ....... 80
BMW motorcycle 
accessories ......................... 81
Training means 
extra safety ......................... 82
Concluding thoughts  .......... 83
Contents
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        Page 6 of 92
11
4
General information and controls
1Reservoir for clutch fluid
(
b 37)
2 Front suspension strut, 
shock absorber adjustment 
(
b 40)
3 Fuel filler cap (
b 24)
4 Engine oil level sight glass 
(
b 23)
5 Engine oil filler (
b 23)
6 Helmet holder 7
Dualseat lock (
b 15)
8 Lifting handle (
b 54-55)
9 Rear suspension strut,
shock absorber adjustment 
(
b 41)
10 Main (centre) stand*
11 Fuse box, left
(Service and Technical 
Booklet, 
b Chapter 2)
( ) Figures in brackets bpage number 
for description
* Optional extra
General view, left side
1234675
119108
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11
7
General information and controls
1Telltale light, left turn indica-
tor repeater green 
s 
2 Warning light, battery 
charge current  red 
r 
(
b 62)
3 Telltale light, high (main) 
beam  blue 
q
4Telltale light, neutral  green 
k (b 59)
5 Telltale light, right turn indi-
cator repeater green 
t 
( ) Figures in brackets bpage number 
for description
6 Clock
Adjust by pressing with a 
ballpoint pen or similar 
object at 
point A(minutes) or 
point B (hours)
7 Warning light, general  red 
e (b 62)
8 Telltale and warning lights, 
ABS
l/brake failure red * 
(
b 62)
* Optional extra
Telltale and warning lights
7
12354
8
B6A
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11
8
General information and controls
KeysYou will receive two master 
keys and one spare key.
A small self-adhesive label indi-
cating the key number is also 
supplied.
* Accessories
** Optional extra
L Note:
The ignition switch and steering 
lock, fuel filler cap and the hel-
met/seat lock are all operated 
with the same key. System 
cases
* with locks for the same 
key can be ordered on request.
d Warning:
If the motorcycle is fitted with 
BMW Integral ABS
**, only RE-
SIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION-
ALITY is available when the 
ignition is switched off (b 71 )
Ignition switch and steering lock
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        Page 14 of 92
11
12
General information and controls
1
Hazard warning flashers
L Note:
You cannot activate the hazard 
warning flashers if the ignition is 
switched off.
Do not use the hazard warning 
flashers for longer than absolutely 
necessary.
Note state of battery charge.
Switching on the hazard 
warning flashers:
 Switch on the ignition
 Press hazard warning flasher  switch 1
– Hazard warning flashers in  operation
– The left/right flashing turn  indicator repeater on the 
telltale light panel (
b 7) 
flashes
 Switch off the ignition
– The hazard warning flashers remain switched on
Switching off the hazard 
warning flashers:
 Press hazard warning flasher switch 1
– Hazard warning flashers  cease to operate
– The left/right flashing turn  indicator repeater on the tell-
tale light panel (
b 7) goes out
Hazard warning flashers
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21
Safety check
Checklist
For this reason, check the 
details in the following Chapters 
before you start the journey: 
– Engine oil level
– Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar-lever fittings
– Brake fluid level 
– Clutch fluid level 
–Brakes
– Warning lights and telltale  lights
–Lights
– Front/rear shock absorber  setting and spring preload
– Condition of wheels and 
tyres, tread depth and tyre 
pressures
– Load, gross weight  – Check at regular intervals as 
described in the following 
sections
(each time you stop for refuel-
ling):
– Engine oil level
(every second or third time 
you stop for refuelling):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems 
or difficulties, it is always best to 
contact your authorised BMW 
Motorrad dealer. 
He will provide the necessary 
advice and assistance.
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2
30
Safety check
2
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid level Gradual wear of the brake pads 
causes the brake fluid level in 
the reservoir to drop.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid 
reservoirs for the front or rear 
brakes has dropped below 
the MIN mark (
b 31-32) have 
the brake system checked 
without delay, preferably an 
authorised BMW motorcycle 
dealer.
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to 
severe thermal loads and 
absorbs moisture from the 
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid 
must be changed regularly 
(see the Service and Techni-
cal Booklet  
b Chapter 1),  
preferably  by an authorised 
BMW motorcycle dealer. 
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