2002 BMW MOTORRAD R 1150 GS engine

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Starting – Riding – Parking
Handling your motorcycle
safely
Each motorcycle has a charac-
ter all its own. It is time now for
you to familiarise yourself with
the way your own motorcycle
behaves:
– Acceleration
– Roadholding
–Cornering
–Braking …
These are all things you need to
become familiar with.
Please remember too that if the
motorcycle has not yet covered
1,000 kilometres (600 miles),
the engine is not yet fully run in.
e Attention:
BMW Integral ABSOE incorpo-
rates a brake booster, so brak-
ing efficiency is significantly
higher than with conventional
brake systems.
d Warning:
The tyres need to cover a cer-
tain distance
before they acquire their full
road grip (b 67).
When riding at high speed,
a l w a y s b e a r i n m i n d t h a t v a r i o u s
boundary conditions such as:
settings of the spring and
shock-absorber system, unbal-
anced loading, loose clothing,
low tyre pressures, worn tyres,
etc.,
can affect the handling of your
motorcycle.
OEOptional extra
Your first journey
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 80)
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 83).
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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Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the cata-
lytic converter:
 Do not run the fuel tank dry
 Push-start only when the
engine is cold
 Do not run the engine with a
spark plug lead disconnected
 Do not exceed the engine- speed limits marked on the
revolution counter
 Comply with all specified
maintenance intervals
 Stop the engine at once if it
misfires
 In the event of misfiring or a severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer
If misfiring or malfunction of the
fuel-air mixture preparation sys-
tem causes unburned fuel to
reach the catalytic converter,
there is a risk of it overheating
and being damaged.
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly if a
catalytic converter is installed.
d Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material
(for example hay, grass,
leaves, clothing or luggage
etc.) can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.
Do not allow the engine to
idle unnecessarily or for pro-
longed periods
– Risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Placing motorcycle on
side stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
e Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the side stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
On a gradient, the motorcycle
should always face uphill; se-
lect 1st gear.  Switch off the ignition
 Keep both feet on the ground
 Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
 Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
 Hold the motorcycle upright and balanced
 U s e y o u r le f t f o o t a t t h e e x t e n -
sion pin to extend the side
stand fully (arrow)
 Slowly lean the motorcycle to the side until its weight is
taken by the stand and dis-
mount from the motorcycle
 Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (
b 11)
 Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Side stand
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64
Starting – Riding – ParkingPlacing motorcycle on
main (centre) stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
centre stand extended.
e Attention:
Switch off the engine before
using the centre stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.  Switch off the ignition
 Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
 Hold the lifting handle with
your right hand
 Place your right foot on the
pin used to extend the centre
stand, and press the stand
down until its curved feet
touch the ground
 Place your right foot on the
tread surface of the stand
 Apply all your body weight to the stand
 Pull the motorcycle to the rear and upwards (arrow) until it
rests on the centre stand
 Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Main (centre) stand
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66
Starting – Riding – Parkinge Attention:
Exceeding the specified engine
speeds while running in will lead
to increased engine wear.
L Note:
While running in the motorcy-
cle, vary the throttle opening
and engine-speed range fre-
quently.
Try to do most of your riding
during this initial period on
twisting, fairly hilly roads rather
than high-speed main roads
and highways.
Running-in engine speedsFrom 0 to 1000 km (approx.
600 miles)
 Engine speed max. 4000 rpm
and no full-load acceleration
 Do not omit the first inspec- tion after 1000 km (approx.
600 miles). Make an appoint-
ment with your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer in
good time, so that the work
can be performed punctually.
From 1000 to 2000 km
(approx. 600 to 1200 miles)
 Engine speeds can be gradu- ally increased after 1000 km
(600 miles)
 Avoid lengthy periods at
full load until 2000 km
(1200 miles) have been
covered
Running in
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Starting – Riding – Parking
1
Fully retract the side stand
L Note:
If the side stand is extended
and a gear engaged, you can-
not start the motorcycle.
Select neutral– Neutral indicator light 1
comes on green
k (b 9).
L Note:
Engine does not start:
– Move the gear lever to the
k position or disengage
the clutch
Engine stops when first gear is
engaged:
– Fully retract the side stand; if necessary, consult the trou-
bleshooting chart
(b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Before you start
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Starting
e Attention:
If you attempt to start the en-
gine when the battery is flat, you
will hear the relay chattering.
Further attempts will damage
the starter relay and starter
motor.
Before trying again: recharge
the battery.
d Warning:
Do not allow the engine to
idle unnecessarily or for pro-
longed periods
— Risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
To avoid overheating the air-
cooled engine and possible
damage as a result, avoid
even short warm-up periods
at a standstill. Avoid high en-
gine speeds after a cold start.
Starting
ABC1
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