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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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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2
39
Safety check
Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Do not permit the brake fluid
level to drop below minimum
(MIN).
Place the motorcycle on the centre stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
Handlebars in straight-ahead
position; front wheel in con-
tact with the ground Check brake fluid level at
sight glass
MIN minimum level
(centre of sight glass)
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
MIN
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43
Safety check
Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark)
Place motorcycle on centre stand
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm
OEOptional extra
Handlebars in straight-ahead position and front wheel in
contact with the ground
Read off brake fluid level in sight glass
MIN minimum level
(centre of sight glass)
L Note:
The brake fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir remains
constant despite wear of the
brake pads.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
MIN
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2
45
Safety check
Check fluid level in the
clutch fitting
e Attention:
If the fluid level drops, assume
there is a defect in the clutch
system.
Have the clutch system
checked immediately by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
d Warning:
Do not permit the fluid level to
drop below minimum (MIN).
L Note:
The fluid level in the reservoir
rises as the clutch plate wears.
Place the motorcycle on the
centre stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
Handlebars in straight-ahead
position; front wheel in con-
tact with the ground
Check fluid level in sight glass
MIN Minimum level
(centre of sight glass)
Clutch
MIN
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2
50
Safety check
1
S
H
d Warning:
Before riding off, always set
spring preload to suit total
weight.
For off-road riding, increase
spring preload at front and
rear by a suitable amount.
Adjusting front spring
preload
Place motorcycle on centre stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
Use hook wrench and exten- sion (wheel-stud wrench) to
adjust preload of spring 1:
Stage 1 – road ( S)
Stage 3 – loose surfaces
(stone chippings etc.)
Stage 5 – off-road ( H)
Suspension spring preload
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53
Safety check
Wheels
Checking wheel rims
d Warning:
Have damaged wheel rims
checked and, if necessary,
replaced by a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer.
Checking spokes
d Warning:
Before riding off, always
make sure that the spokes
are in perfect condition.
Always have damaged
spokes and irregular spoke
tension rectified immediately
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Place the motorcycle on its
centre stand.
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
Tap spokes with a screw-
driver and listen for the cor-
rect ringing sound
L Note:
If the note varies, spoke tension
is uneven (some spokes too
loose or too tight).
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54
Safety check
Wheels
Checking tyre pressures
d Warning:
Incorrect tyre pressures have
a considerable influence on
handling and on tyre life.
Adjust tyre pressures to suit
total weight. Never exceed ei-
ther the motorcycle’s gross
weight or the individual wheel
load limits (b 57). – When tyres are cold:
Remove valve caps
Check/correct tyre pressure
Tyre pressures for
road tyres and massive-bar
tyres:
front rear
one-up 2.2 bar 2.5 bar
(31.9 psi) 36 psi)
two-up 2.5 bar 2.7 bar
(36 psi) (39 psi)
two-up
and luggage 2.5 bar 2.9 bar (36 psi) (42 psi)
Fully tighten valve caps
Screw valve caps on
tightly
d Warning:
At high road speeds, tyre
valves have a tendency to
open as a result of centrifugal
force.
Use only metal valve caps
with rubber seals.
Valve caps that are screwed
on well prevent air from es-
caping suddenly.
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