Page 23 of 92
2
21
Safety check
Checklist
For this reason, check the
details in the following Chapters
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
–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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Page 30 of 92
2
28
Safety check
2
Brake system - general
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Checking the brake
system
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake
lever indicate a fault in the
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore,
always check the resistance
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake
system.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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Page 31 of 92
2
29
Safety check
Brake system - general
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed by
a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Checking brake pads
Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: do not allow lining
thickness to fall below minimum
value (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 2)!
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Page 32 of 92
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
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 1) by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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Page 36 of 92

2
34
Safety check
2
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Residual braking function
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off, before and during
self-diagnosis (
b 72), or if the
BMW Integral ABS fails, only a
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION remains available for
slowing the motorcycle
(
b 71).
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is
active, you must apply
CONSIDERABLY higher
pressure to the brake lever in
question in order to apply the
brakes, and lever travel is
longer.
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is ac-
tive, the ABS function is una-
vailable in the brake systems
in question.
OE Optional extra
d Warning:
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is ac-
tive, maintain a defensive
riding style and proceed im-
mediately to the nearest spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
L Note:
When the RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION is active, it is advis-
able to set adjuster A (
b 27) on
the front-brake lever to
position 4.
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Page 40 of 92

2
38
Safety check
2
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are operati-
onal at the start of each journey.
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes
at twice the usual speed:
Defective flasher bulb.
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 62):
Check brake light or tail light.
If the tail 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. To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (dipped and
main beams), rear/brake lights,
turn indicators and the number-
plate light:
(
b
Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Headlight setting RHD/
LHD traffic
If the motorcycle is ridden in a
country where the opposite rule
of the road applies, its asym-
metric dipped beam will tend to
dazzle oncoming traffic.
Adjust the headlight according-
ly (
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Your BMW motorcycle dealer
will be glad to provide any
assistance you may require.
OE Optional extra
Lights
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Page 51 of 92

3
49
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 68)
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION remains
available for slowing the
motorcycle (
b 71).
Under these circumstances
you must apply CONSIDERA-
BLY higher pressure to the
brake levers in order to apply
the brakes, and lever travel is
longer!
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
d Warning:
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a health
hazard and can even cause
loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not run the engine in an
enclosed space.
Risk of fatal accidentYour motorcycle is equipped
with Digital Motor Electronics
(Motronic) and high-power
ignition system.
d Warning:
When the engine is running or
the ignition switched on, nev-
er touch electrically live parts
of the ignition system or the
digital engine electronics.
OEOptional extra
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Page 68 of 92
66
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Brake system - general
We t b ra ke sAfter the motorcycle has been washed,
ridden through water or ridden in the
rain, the brake discs and pads may be
wet (or iced-over in winter), and may
not take effect immediately.
d Warning:
The brakes have to dry before
they start to bite.
Salt on brakesThe full braking effect can be delayed
if the motorcycle is ridden on salt-cov-
ered roads and the brakes are not
applied for some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads must first be
worn away.
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