Page 4 of 104

i
2
Introduction
12
General information and 
controls
General view, left side
R 1150 GS ............................ 4
General view, right side
R 1150 GS ............................ 5
General view, left side
R 1150 GS Adventure ........... 6
General view, right side
R 1150 GS Adventure ........... 7
Cockpit ................................. 8
Telltale and warning lights ..... 9
Ignition switch and steering 
lock ................................ 10-11
Hazard warning lights .......... 12
Power socket ...................... 13
Left handlebar fitting ........... 14
Right handlebar fitting ......... 15
Dualseat R 1150 GS  ..... 16-18
Seat 
R 1150 GS Adventure .... 19-20
System case .................. 21-23
Aluminium case .............. 24-26
Adjusting the windscreen .... 27Safety check
Checklist ........................ 28-29
Engine oil ....................... 30-31
Fuel ................................ 32-33
Handlebar levers ............ 34-35
Brake system - general .. 36-37
Brake system - without 
BMW Integral ABS ......... 38-40
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS ......... 41-44
Clutch ................................. 45
Lights ............................. 46-49
Suspension spring 
preload .......................... 50-51
Shock absorber .................. 52
Wheels ........................... 53-55
Accessories and tyres......... 56
Accessories and loads ... 56-57
Contents
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        Page 5 of 104
3
i
Introduction
34
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first journey ........... 58-59
Important notes ............. 60-61
Side stand ..................... 62-63
Center stand ................. 64-65
Running in ..................... 66-67
Before you start ............. 68-69
Starting ......................... 70-71
Warning lights................ 72-73
Rider Information Display 
(RID) .............................. 74-75
Riding, gear change ...... 76-77
Brake system - general . 78-79
Brake system - 
with BMW Integral ABS . 80-87
BMW Integral ABS
Troubleshooting ............ 88-89Arrive safely!
Reliable operation ..........90-91
Service worldwide ............... 92
Protecting the environment . 93
BMW rider’s equipment ....... 94
BMW motorcycle 
accessories ......................... 95
Training means extra safety. 96
Concluding thoughts ........... 97
Contents
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        Page 6 of 104
11
4
General information and controls
391256784
1011
R 1150 GS1Suspension strut,
adjustment, front (
b50)
2 Oil level sight glass, 
engine (
b31)
3 Engine oil filler (
b31)
4 Reservoir for clutch fluid 
(
b45)
5 Power socket, 12 VOA
Provision for connecting 
additional equipment – max. 
load 5 A
OAOptional accessories
6Suspension strut,
adjustment, rear (
b51)
7 Lifting handle
8 Suspension strut, adjusting 
shock absorber (
b52)
9 Dualseat lock (
b 16-18)
10 Primary spark plug, left 
11 Secondary spark plug, left 
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
General view, left side
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111
9
General information and controls
1Telltale light, left turn 
indicator repeater  green 
s 
2 Warning light, battery 
charge current  red 
r 
3 Warning light, fuel tank 
content approx. 4 litres 
(0.9 gal) orange  
m (b33)
4 Telltale light, neutral  green 
k (b69)
5 Warning light,
ABS 
l red  OE
OEOptional extra
6Warning light, engine oil 
pressure  red 
p  
7Telltale light, right turn 
indicator repeater  green 
t 
8 Warning light, general
red  
e (b 84-89)
9 Telltale light, high (main) 
beam blue 
q 
( ) Figures in brackets bpage number 
for description
*
n depending on national-market 
specification
Telltale and warning lights
124637
9
5*
8
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10
General information and controls
Vehicle keysYou will receive two master 
keys and one spare key.
The key number is on the 
accompanying plastic tag.
OAOptional accessories
OEOptional extra
d Warning:
If the motorcycle is fitted with 
BMW Integral ABS
OE, only 
RESIDUAL BRAKING 
FUNCTIONALITY is available 
when the ignition is switched 
off (b83)
L Note:
Ignition switch and steering 
lock, tank filler cap lock and 
seat lock are all operated 
with the same key. You can 
order System cases
OA with 
locks for this key, too.
Ignition switch and steering lock
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11
12
General information and controls
Hazard warning lights
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 abso-
lutely necessary.
Note state of battery charge.
Switching on the hazard 
warning lights
 Switching on the ignition
– Hazard warning lights  switch 1 up  Operate hazard warning lights 
switch 1
– Hazard warning lights in oper- ation
– The left/right flashing turn  indicator repeater on the tell-
tale light panel (
b9) flashes
 Switch off the ignition
– The hazard warning lights  continue to operate
– The light in the hazard warn- ing flasher switch goes out
Switching off the hazard 
warning lights
 Operate hazard warning lights switch 1
– Hazard warning lights switch  off
– Left/right flashing turn indica- tor repeater on the telltale 
light panel (
b9) off
Hazard warning lights
1
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111
15
General information and controlsd Warning:
To prevent air from entering 
the brake system: 
 do not turn the fitting on the  handlebar.
 do not turn the handlebars 
in the clamping blocks.
6 Switch for heated handlebar 
grips
OE
A Heating off
B 50% (centre position)
C 100%
7 Kill switch (
b68)
8 Starter button 9
 Turn-indicator cancel switch
Press
– Left/right indicators off
10 Right turn indicator switch
Press
– Turn indicators flash
To switch off:
 Press turn-indicator can-
cel switch 9
11 ABS acknowledgment 
button
OE (b87)
OEOptional extra
Right handlebar fitting
7
B
C
A
68
910
C
11
B
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        Page 31 of 104
2
29
Safety check
Checklist
For this reason, check the 
details in the following sections 
before you start the journey: 
– Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar-lever fittings
–Brakes
– Brake fluid level 
– Clutch fluid level 
– Warning lights and telltale  lights
–Lights
– Shock absorber settings and  spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition, 
tread depth and tyre 
pressures
– Load, gross weight  – 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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