Page 21 of 88

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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Page 28 of 88
22
26
Safety check
Brake system - general
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Checking the brake
system
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore,
always check the resistance
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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Page 29 of 88
2
27
2
Safety check
Brake system - general
Checking brake pads
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: do not allow lining
thickness to fall below minimum
value (Maintenance Instruc-
tionsb Chapter 2).
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22
28
Safety check
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoirs for the front or rear
brakes has dropped below
the MIN mark (
b 29, 30), have
the brake system checked
without delay by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to
severe thermal loads and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(see the Maintenance Instruc-
tions
b Chapter 1) by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
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22
32
Safety check
Residual braking function
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off, before and during
self-diagnosis (
b 70), or if the
BMW Integral ABSOE fails,
only a RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION remains available
for slowing the motorcycle
(
b 69).
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is
active, you must apply
CONSIDERABLY higher
pressure to the brake lever in
question in order to apply the
brakes, and lever travel is
longer.
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is ac-
tive, the ABS function is una-
vailable in the brake systems
in question.
OE Optional extra
d Warning:
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is
active, maintain a defensive
riding style and proceed im-
mediately to the nearest spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
L Note:
When the RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION is active, it is advis-
able to set adjuster A (
b 25) on
the front-brake lever to
position 4.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
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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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33
48
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 66)
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 69).
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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33
64
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - general
We t b ra ke sAfter the motorcycle has been
washed, ridden through water
or ridden in the rain, the brake
discs and pads may be wet (or
iced-over in winter), and may
not take effect immediately.
d Warning:
The brakes have to dry before
they start to bite.
Salt on brakesThe full breaking effect can be
delayed if the motorcycle is rid-
den on salt-covered roads and
the brakes are not applied for
some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads must first be
worn away.
10r28FUNbkg1.book Seite 64 Dienstag, 24. Januar 2006 9:31 09