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
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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 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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Page 48 of 104

2
46
Safety check
Lights
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each
journey.
L Note:
If turn indicator telltale light
flashes at twice the usual
speed: defective flasher bulb.
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 9):
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.
OEOptional extra
L Note:
To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (dipped and
main beams), rear, brake and
indicator lights:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Headlight setting, RHD/
LHD traffic
For trips in countries where the
traffic drives on the opposite
side of the road:
Adjust the headlight accord-
ingly (Maintenance Instructions
bChapter 2).
When necessary, you can
resort to the assistance of a
specialist workshop,
preferably your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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Page 69 of 104
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67
Starting – Riding – Parking
Running in
Running in new brake
pads
d Warning:
New brake pads must “bed
down” and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 500 km
(300 miles).
This slight initial reduction in
braking efficiency can be
compensated for by exerting
greater pressure on the lever.
Try to avoid all unnecessary
hard braking during this initial
period.
e Attention:
Comply with the notes on
BMW Integral ABS
OE
(b 80- 89).
OEOptional extra
Running in new tyres
d Warning:
New tyres have a smooth sur-
face. This must be roughened
by riding in a restrained man-
ner at various heel angles
until the tyres are run in.
This running in procedure is
essential if the tyres are to
achieve maximum grip.
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Page 74 of 104
3
72
Starting – Riding – Parking
12*
43
Battery charge currentWarning light1 goes out above
idle speed.
e Attention:
If warning light 1 comes on dur-
ing the journey:
consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
OEOptional extra
ABS warning lightOE
The ABS warning light 2 lights
up if the BMW Integral ABS
develops a fault (
b 84)
Warning light, general General warning light 3 lights
up if a fault develops in the
BMW Integral ABS
OE (b 84), or
if the tail light or brake light is
defective.
Low fuel levelWhen warning light 4 comes
on, there are still approx.
4 litres (0.9 gal) of fuel in the
tank.
*n depending on national-market
specification
Warning lights
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Page 86 of 104
3
84
Starting – Riding – Parking
21*
Self-diagnosis with pull-
away test
The BMW Integral ABS per-
forms self-diagnosis and a pull-
away test to ensure its
operability.
Self-diagnosis is performed
automatically when you switch
on the ignition.
d Warning:
Self-diagnosis is not per-
formed unless both brake le-
vers are in their fully released
positions.
Only the RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION is available until
self-diagnosis is completed
(b 83) . Release the brake levers, if
necessary
Switch on the ignition
Initially:
– ABS warning light 1:
flashes at 4 Hz
– General warning light 2:
ON
bSelf-diagnosis is in
progress
Then:
– ABS warning light 1:
flashes at 1 Hz
– General warning light 2:
OFF
bSelf-diagnosis successfully
completed
OEOptional extra
*
n depending on national-market
specification
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
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Page 87 of 104
3
85
Starting – Riding – Parking
1*
Start the engine.
Move off
– ABS warning light1:
OFF (as of approx. 5 km/h
(3 mph) road speed)
bPull-away test successfully
completed
bBMW Integral ABS
is available
L Note:
Flashing at 1 Hz = 1 flash per
second (slow flashing)
Flashing at 4 Hz = 4 flashes per
second (fast flashing)
OEOptional extra
L Note:
Starting on gradients:
Always switch on the ignition
with gear engaged, clutch lever
released and both brake levers
released.
Self-diagnosis cannot be per-
formed if you do not follow this
procedure.
When self-diagnosis com-
pletes, apply the brakes, disen-
gage the clutch, and start the
engine.
*n depending on national-market
specification
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
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