Page 2 of 104
d Warning:
This symbol stands for
precau-tions and measures
which are essential in order to
protect the rider or other
persons from possibly severe
or fatal injury.
e Attention:
Instructions and precautions
specifically intended to prevent
damage to the motorcycle.
Disregarding them may render
the warranty invalid.
L Note:
Specific instructions on how to
operate, control, adjust or look
after items of equipment on the
motorcycle.
Important notes
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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 10 of 104
11
8
General information and controls
132456
879
1Rider Information Display
(RID) (
b74)
2 Rotary reset knob for trip
meter
3 Speedometer
4 Odometer
5 Trip meter 6
Revolution counter (
b66)
7 Telltale and warning lights
(
b9)
8 Switch for fog light
(GS Adventure only)
9 Ignition switch and steering
lock (
b10)
( ) Figures in brackets bpage number
for description
Cockpit
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Page 11 of 104
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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Page 12 of 104
11
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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Page 13 of 104
111
11
General information and controls
Key positions
d Warning:
Never turn the key to OFF or
I while riding the
motorcycle!
ON Operating 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)
* 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 locked
I**Parking light on,
steering locked
L Note:
Switch the parking light on
only for limited periods. Note
state of battery charge.
Ignition switch and steering lock
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Page 14 of 104
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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