Page 1 of 96

BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
Rider’s Manual
K 1200 GT
10k41bkg2.book Seite 93 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
1
Page 6 of 96
4
General information and controls
1
General view, left side
1Hand protector, left
2 Reservoir for clutch
hydraulic fluid (
b 42)
3 Fuel filler cap (
b 30)
4 Leg protector, left
5 Fuse box
6 Storage compartment for
– toolkit
– repair kit for tubeless tyres 7
Seat lock (
b 20)
8 System case, left (
b 23)
9 Adjusting knob for spring
preload, rear suspension
(
b 43)
10 Lifting handle (
b 60-61)
11 Power socket, 12 V,
for connecting additional
equipment – up to max. 5 A
12 Spark plugs
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
( ) Number in parentheses
b page number for description
1265437
12111098
10k41bkg2.book Seite 4 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
Page 28 of 96
26
Safety check
2
Checklist
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. If your motor-
cycle needs any routine mainte-
nance, you can then attend to it
before the journey starts
(
b Maintenance Instructions),
or have it carried out by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer. This is to ensure that
your motorcycle complies with
road-vehicle use and safety
laws.
A motorcycle in perfect techni-
cal condition is essential for
your safety and that of other
road users.
10k41bkg2.book Seite 26 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
Page 38 of 96
36
Safety check
2
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped
with BMW Integral ABS, the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir (
b 38) does NOT drop as
the brake pads wear.
d Warning:
Have the brake system
checked immediately by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised BMW mo-
torcycle dealer, if the brake
fluid level in the reservoir of
the brake system (
b 38) drops
below the MIN mark.
Changing the brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 1) by a special-
ist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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Page 43 of 96
22
41
Safety check
2
e Attention:
The coolant level must be be-
tween the MIN and MAX
marks.
Never overfill the expansion
tank.
•Top up the coolant if neces-
sary (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 3)
L Note:
If the expansion tank is full and
coolant temperature is high (as
indicated by red warning light
j b 8) or coolant consumption
is excessive, consult a special-
ist workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Coolant level
MAX
MIN
10k41bkg2.book Seite 41 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
Page 52 of 96
50
Safety check
2
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each
journey.
Flashing turn indicatorsIf turn indicator repeater flashes
at twice the usual speed (
b 7):
defective indicator bulb.
Rear lightGeneral warning light (b 66)
ON:
Brake light or tail light defective.
If the rear light is defective the
brake light is dimmed and acts
as a rear light. When you apply
the brakes the brake light
shines at full brightness.
L Note:
To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (low and high
beams), rear/brake lights, turn
indicators and the number-
plate light:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Lights
10k41bkg2.book Seite 50 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
Page 59 of 96

3
57
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the cata-
lytic converter:
Do not run the fuel tank dry
Push-start only when the
engine is cold
Do not run the engine with a
spark-plug cap detached
Do not exceed the engine- speed limits marked on the
revolution counter
Comply with all specified
maintenance intervals
Stop the engine at once if it
misfires
In the event of misfiring or a severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer
If misfiring or malfunction of the
fuel-air mixture preparation sys-
tem causes unburned fuel to
reach the catalytic converter,
there is a risk of it overheating
and being damaged.
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly if a
catalytic converter is installed.
d Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material
(for example hay, grass,
leaves, clothing or luggage
etc.) can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.
Do not allow the engine to
idle unnecessarily or for a
lengthy period when the mo-
torcycle is at a standstill
— risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
10k41bkg2.book Seite 57 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09
Page 66 of 96
64
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Before you start
Switch on the ignition– Move the kill switch to the run position A
Ignition switch ON
In an emergency only:
Move switch 1 to the B
position.
– The Motronic, fuel pump and
starter motor electrical cir-
cuits are de-energised
L Note:
If you move the kill switch to the
B position while the ignition is
on (switch in ON position), the
BMW Integral ABS remains op-
erational (
b 72-79).
Fully retract the side stand
L Note:
If the side stand is extended
and a gear engaged, you can-
not start the motorcycle.
Select neutral– Neutral indicator light green
k is on (b 7)
– Gear indicator shows “0”
L Note:
Engine does not start:
–Move the gear lever to thek
position or disengage the
clutch
Engine stops when first gear is
engaged:
–Fully retract the side stand; if
necessary, consult the trouble-
shooting chart (
b Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
10k41bkg2.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 24. Juli 2003 9:17 09