Page 5 of 88
3
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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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
46
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 55).
When riding at high speed, 
always bear in mind that various 
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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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
50
Starting – Riding – Parking
Placing motorcycle on 
side stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit 
on the motorcycle with the 
side stand extended.
e Caution:
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  l e 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 handleba rs to full left 
lock 
• Check that the motorcycle 
is firmly supported
Side stand
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51
3
Starting – Riding – ParkingRemoving motorcycle 
from side stand
d Warning:
When the ignition of a motor-
cycle fitted with BMW Integral  ABS* is switched off, only a 
“RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION” is available (
b 69).
The side stand must be fully 
retracted before you ride off.
– Riding with the side stand 
extended is a safety risk.
OE    Optional extra
• Turn the ignition key to the “ R" 
or " ON "  position (
b 9) 
– Handlebars unlocked
• Both feet on the ground, no  weight on the motorcycle
• Hold the left handlebar grip with  your left hand
• Keep your right hand on the  right handlebar grip and the 
handbrake lever
• Slowly raise the motorcycle to  the upright position and keep it 
balanced
• Sit on the motorcycle and use  your left foot to retract the side 
stand
Side stand
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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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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.
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