Page 4 of 88

i
2
Introduction
General information and 
controls
General view, left side ........... 4
General view, right side ......... 5
Cockpit ................................. 6
Telltale and warning lights ..... 7
Ignition switch and steering 
lock .................................... 8-9
Left handlebar fitting ........... 10
Right handlebar fitting ......... 11
Hazard warning flashers ...... 12
Seat/helmet holder .............. 13
Seats ............................. 14-15
System case .................. 16-18Safety check
Checklist ............................. 19
Engine oil ....................... 20-21
Fuel ................................ 22-23
Handlebar levers ............ 24-25
Brake system -
general........................... 26-27
Brake system - without
BMW Integral ABS ......... 28-30
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS ......... 31-34
Clutch ................................. 35
Lights ............................. 36-39
Shock-absorber 
adjustment .......................... 40
Suspension
spring preload ..................... 41
Wheels ........................... 42-43
Accessories and loads ... 44-45
Contents
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i
Introduction
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first journey ........... 46-47
Important notes ............. 48-49
Side stand ..................... 50-51
Centre stand ................. 52-53
Running in ..................... 54-55
Before you start ............. 56-57
Starting ......................... 58-59
Telltale and warning 
lights ............................. 60-61
Riding, gear shifts.......... 62-63
Brake system 
- general ........................ 64-65
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS......... 66-72
BMW Integral ABS 
- Fault table ......................... 73Arrive safely
Reliability ........................74-75
Service worldwide ............... 76
Environmental protection .... 77
BMW rider's equipment ....... 78
BMW motorcycle 
equipment ........................... 79
Training means extra 
safety .................................. 80
Concluding thoughts ........... 81
Contents
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2
19
2
Safety check
Checklist
Use the safety checklist – 
before every journey
Please perform the safety 
check accurately. If your motor-
cycle needs any routine mainte-
nance, you can then attend to it 
before the journey starts
(
b Maintenance Instructions), 
or, for example have it carried 
out by your authorised BMW 
motorcycle dealer.
This is to ensure that your 
motorcycle corresponds with 
road-vehicle use and safety 
laws. 
Your vehicle must be in perfect 
technical order: this is a basic 
prerequisite for your safety and 
the safety of other road users.
For this reason, check the 
details in the following sections 
before you start the journey: 
– Engine oil level
–Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar- lever fittings
– Brake fluid level 
– Clutch fluid level 
–Brakes – Warning lights and telltale 
lights
–Lights
– Shock-absorber setting and  spring preload
– Condition of wheels and  tyres, tread depth and tyre 
pressures
– Load, gross weight 
– Check at regular intervals as  described in the following 
sections
(each time you stop for refuel-
ling):
– Engine oil level (every second or third time 
you stop for refuelling):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems 
or difficulties, it is always best to 
contact your authorised BMW 
Motorrad dealer. 
He will provide the necessary 
advice and assistance.
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22
36
Safety checkChecking lights
e Caution:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each jour-
ney.
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes 
at twice the usual speed: defec-
tive flasher bulb.
BMW Integral ABS:
General warning light ON (
b 7):
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. To change bulbs in parking 
lights, headlight (dipped and 
main beams), rear/brake lights, 
turn indicators and the number-
plate light: (
b 
Maintenance In-
structions, 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.
Lights
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55
3
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.
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.
e Caution:
Comply with the notes on BMW 
Integral ABSOE (b 66-73).
OE  Optional extra
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33
70
Starting – Riding – Parking
Self-diagnosis with 
pull-away test
The BMW Integral ABS per-
forms self-diagnosis and a pull-
away test to ensure its operabil-
ity.
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 69). • Release the brake levers, if 
necessary
• Switch on the ignition
Initially:
– ABS warning light 2:
flashes at 4 Hz (
b 56)
– General warning light 1:
ON
bSelf-diagnosis is in 
progress
Then:
– ABS warning light 2:
flashes at 1 Hz
– General warning light 1:
OFF
bSelf-diagnosis successfully 
completed
OE Optional extra
21
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
OE
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71
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
•Start the engine.
• Move off 
– ABS warning light2:
OFF (as of approx. 5 km/h 
(3 mph) road speed)
bPull-away test successfully 
completed
bBMW Integral ABS 
is available
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.
L Note:
Flashing at 1 Hz = 1 flash per 
second (slow flashing)
Flashing at 4 Hz = 4 flashes per 
second (fast flashing)
OE Optional extra
21
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
OE
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73
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
General 
warning 
lighte ABS warning 
light
l/
brake failure Malfunctions
OFF ON Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION 
available in both circuits (
b 69)
OFF Flashes at 1 Hz ABS not available Pull-away test not completed (
b 70)
OFF Flashes at 4 Hz Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION  available in both circuits (
b 69)
Self-diagnosis not completed (b 70)
ON OFF Tail light/brake light defective 
(Maintenance Instructions, ( b Chapter 2)
ON Flashes at 1 Hz At least one brake circuit without
ABS (
b 70)
ON Flashes at 4 Hz At least one brake circuit in RESIDUAL  BRAKING FUNCTION mode (
b 69)
Alternate 
flashing at 
1Hz Alternate flash-
ing at 1 Hz
Fluid level in BMW Integral ABS too low.
Check the motorcycle as follows:
– Ignition OFF: is brake pressure OK at 
the brake levers?
– Are the brakes acting on both wheels?
– Is the brake system leaktight, no signs  of brake fluid escaping?
The brake system is defective if the test 
outcome is negative.
Alternate 
flashing at 4 
Hz Alternate flas-
hing at 4 Hz
Fluid level in the BMW Integral ABS is too 
low, perform the checks listed above.
Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION 
available in at least one circuit (
b 69)
 
d Warning:
Do not ride the motorcycle if you 
have any doubts about the 
dependability of the brake system.
BMW Integral ABSOE - Fault table
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