Page 46 of 96
22
44
Safety check
d Warning:
Before the journey starts, ad-
just spring preload according
to the gross weight.
For safety reasons, never at-
tempt to alter spring preload
while the motorcycle is being
ridden.
Always halt the motorcycle
before adjusting.
If spring preload is changed,
the shock absorber has to be
adjusted accordingly.
Adjusting spring preload Place the motorcycle on its main (centre) stand
Adjust spring preload at
knob 1 Basic setting, one-up:
Turn knob
1 as far as it will go
counter-clockwise as indi-
cated by the “ LOW” arrow
Turn knob 1 one mark clock-
wise as indicated by the
“ HIGH ” arrow
Setting for two-up and lug-
gage:
Turn knob 1 fully to the right
as indicated by the “HIGH”
arrow
Spring preload
1
10rsbkg2.book Seite 44 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 51 of 96
2
49
2
Safety check
e Attention:
Do not exceed the gross weight
limit of 450 kg (992 lb).
Do not exceed the wheel load
limits of 180 kg (300 lb) at the
front and 300 kg (661 lb) at the
rear.
Reset the suspension spring
preload and the shock absorb-
ers to match the total weight
(
b 43, 44, 46).
The gross weight consists of:
– motorcycle with full tank
–rider
–passenger
– luggage
Loading
10rsbkg2.book Seite 49 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 52 of 96

33
50
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 59).
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
First time out
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Page 54 of 96

33
52
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 72)
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a “RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION” re-
mains available for slowing
the motorcycle (
b 75).
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!
OEOptional extra
Risk of asphyxiationExhaust 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 igni-
tion 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 motor electronics.
10rsbkg2.book Seite 52 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 57 of 96
3
55
3
Starting – Riding – ParkingRemoving motorcycle
from side stand
d Warning:
If the motorcycle is fitted with
BMW Integral ABS
OE, only RESI-
DUAL BRAKING FUNCTIONA-
LITY is available when the
ignition is switched off (
b 75 ) .
Make sure the side stand is fully
retracted before you ride off.
– Riding with the side stand
extended represents a
safety risk. 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
OEOptional extra
Side stand
10rsbkg2.book Seite 55 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 59 of 96
3
57
3
Starting – Riding – ParkingPushing the motorcycle
off the main (centre) stand
d Warning:
If the motorcycle is fitted with
BMW Integral ABS
OE, only RESI-
DUAL BRAKING FUNCTIONA-
LITY is available when the
ignition is switched off (
b 75 ) .
Make sure the main (centre)
stand is fully retracted before
you ride off.
– Riding with the main (cen- tre) stand extended is a
safety risk Turn the ignition key to the “
R”
or “ ON” position (
b 9)
– Handlebars unlocked
Hold the left handlebar grip with your left hand
Hold the lifting handle with
your right hand
Push the motorcycle forwards
off the stand
Check that the stand has fully retracted
OEOptional extra
Main (centre) stand
10rsbkg2.book Seite 57 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 61 of 96
3
59
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
Running in
Bedding 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.
e Attention:
Comply with the notes on
BMW Integral ABS
OE
(b 72-79).
OEOptional extra
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
reach their maximum level of
grip.
10rsbkg2.book Seite 59 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16
Page 62 of 96
33
60
Starting – Riding – Parking
A
B
B
1
Switch on the ignition– Make sure kill switch is in run position A
Turn ignition key to ON
In an emergency only:
Move switch 1 to the B
position.
– The Motronic, fuel pump and starter-motor electrical cir-
cuits are out of action
L Note:
If you move the kill switch to the
B position while the ignition is
on (switch in ON position), the
BMW Integral ABS
OE remains
operational (
b 72-79).
OEOptional extra
Before you start
10rsbkg2.book Seite 60 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16