Page 4 of 105

2
Introduction
i
General information and con-
trols
General view, left side ........ 4-5
General view, right side ...... 6-7
Cockpit .............................. 8-9
Telltale and warning 
lights .............................. 10-11
Ignition switch and steering 
lock ................................ 12-13
Handlebar fittings ........... 14-15
Hazard warning flashers ...... 16
Adjusting windscreen/deflec-
tors ..................................... 17
Reverser ........................18-20
Cruise control  ............... 21-24
On-board computer ....... 25-29
Cases.................................. 30
Topcase .............................. 31
Front seat .......................32-33
Rear seat .......................34-36
Seat heating ........................ 37
Helmet holder ..................... 38Safety check
Checklist ............................. 39
Engine oil  ...................... 40-41
Fuel ................................ 42-43
Handlebar levers ............ 44-45
Brake system - general .. 46-47
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS ......... 48-50
Clutch ................................. 51
Suspension spring preload . 52
Wheels ........................... 53-54
Loading.......................... 55-56
Lights ............................. 57-58
Coolant ............................... 59
Contents
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        Page 5 of 105
3
Introduction
i
Starting – Riding – Parking
First time out ................. 60-61
Important notes ............. 62-63
Side stand ..................... 64-65
Main (centre) stand ........ 66-67
Running in ..................... 68-69
Before you start ................... 70
Starting ............................... 71
Warning lights................ 72-73
Riding and changing 
gear ............................... 74-75
Brake system 
- general ........................ 76-77
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS......... 78-84
BMW Integral ABS 
- troubleshooting chart ........ 85Arrive safely
Dependability .................86-87
Service worldwide ............... 88
Protecting the environment . 89
BMW rider’s equipment ....... 90
BMW motorcycle 
accessories ......................... 91
Training means extra safety. 92
Concluding thoughts  .......... 93
Contents
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        Page 11 of 105
9
General information and controls
1
13
14
1011
C
A
B
12Cockpit
10Telltale and warning lights 
(
b 10, 11)
11Ignition switch and steering 
lock (
b 13)
12Coolant temperature gauge
AEngine cold
BEngine at normal oper-
ating temperature
CEngine overheated 
(
b 73)13Radio controls 
(
b Supplementary Rider’s 
Manual)
14Radio/cassette player with 
storage compartment
( ) Figure in brackets b page number 
for explanation
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        Page 12 of 105
10
General information and controls
1
45762*
BA
98
13
1Flashing turn indicator 
repeater, left green 
s 
2Warning light, ABS red 
l 
(b 72)
3Warning light, general 
red
e (b 72)
4Telltale light, neutral green 
k (b 70)
5Telltale light, cruise control 
yellow (
b 21)
6Telltale light, 
reverser yellow7Flashing turn indicator 
repeater, right green 
t 
8Clock
Adjust by pressing with a 
ball-point pen or similar 
object at pointA(hours) or 
pointB (minutes)
9Gear indicator (
b 75)
( ) Figure in brackets   b page number 
for description
* depending on national-market speci-
fication
Telltale and warning lights
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        Page 13 of 105
11
General information and controls
1
Telltale and warning lights
10Warning light, coolant 
temperature 
j red (b 59, 73)
11Warning light, battery charge 
current red 
r (b 73)
12Telltale light, high-beam 
headlight blue 
q 
13 Warning light, engine oil 
pressure red 
p (b 40, 72)14Warning light, fuel level/
approx. 4 litres 
(0.880 Imp.gal) reserve 
yellow
m (b 43, 72)
( ) Figure in brackets   b page number 
for description
1011121314
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        Page 15 of 105
13
General information and controls
1
Ignition switch and steering lock
Key positionsONOperating position,
ignition, lights and all 
electrical circuits 
switched on
R *Ignition and lights off, 
steering lock disengaged 
(handlebars can be turned 
freely to left or right)
d Warning:
Never turn the key to 
OFF or 
I while the motorcy-
cle is being ridden.
* The key can be removed in these 
positions
Turn the handlebars to full left 
lock.
e Attention:
Engage the steering lock with 
the handlebars in this position 
only.
OFF*Ignition and lights off,
steering lock engaged
I**Parking light on,
steering lock engaged
L Note:
Switch the parking light on only 
for limited periods. 
Note state of battery charge.
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2 2
39
Safety check
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 Motorrad 
dealer. This is to ensure that 
your motorcycle corresponds 
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.For this reason, check the 
details in the following sections 
before you start the journey:
–Fuel level
–Positions of the handlebar-
lever fittings
–Brake fluid level
–Clutch fluid level
–Brakes
–Warning lights and telltale 
lights
–Suspension spring preload
–Wheel rim and tyre condition,
tread depth and tyre pressures
–Load, gross weight
–Lights
–Coolant level
–Check regularly (every time 
you stop for fuel),
on the basis of the following 
section:
–Engine oil level
(every second/third stop for 
fuel):
–brake pads
If you encounter any problems 
or difficulties, it is always best to 
contact your authorised BMW 
motorcycle dealer. He will pro-
vide the necessary advice and 
assistance.
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        Page 59 of 105
2 2
57
Safety check
Lights
Checking lights
e Caution:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each jour-
ney.
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes 
at twice the usual speed: 
Defective flasher bulb.
To change bulbs in parking 
lights, headlight (dipped and 
main beams), rear and brake 
lights: (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions).
Tail lightGeneral warning light (b 72) on: 
Brake-light or tail-light bulb de-
fective.
Check brake light or tail light.
If the rear light is defective the 
brake light is dimmed and acts 
as a tail light. When you apply 
the brakes the brake light 
shines at full brightness.
Adjusting headlight beam 
throw
e Caution:
Only adjust the beam throw of 
your headlights to suit laden 
condition when the motorcycle 
is stationary.
Have the headlight basic set-
ting adjusted by a specialist 
workshop, preferably an 
authorised BMW motorcycle 
dealer.
10LTbkg4.bk  Seite 57  Dienstag, 27. August 2002  8:28 08