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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.
Tyres: running in
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.
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Starting – Riding – ParkingSwitch on the ignition– Kill switch3 in the run
position
U
Ignition switch 1 in the ON
position
Wait until the warning light for
coolant temperature (
b7)
stops flashing
In an emergency only:
Move kill switch 3 to position
V
– The electronic engine man-
agement, fuel pump and
starter motor electrical cir-
cuits are de-energised
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 2
green
k ON
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 Mainte-
nance Instructions, Chapter 2)
Before you start
12
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Starting Press starter button4 (max.
5 seconds) and do not release it
until the engine is running
smoothly
Do not turn the throttle twistgrip
when starting the engine.
L Note:
After releasing the starter button if
the engine does not start, wait at
least 5 seconds before pressing
the starter button again.
After switching off the ignition,
wait 3 seconds before switching it
on again.
e Attention:
If you attempt to start the engine
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.
L Note:
At ambient temperatures below
0 °C (32°F), pull the lever to disen-
gage the clutch when starting the
engine.
e Attention:
Do not allow the engine to idle
unnecessarily or for prolonged
periods of time – risk of over-
heating or fire. Ride away im-
mediately after starting the en-
gine.
Avoid high engine speeds after
a cold start.
4 Starting
3
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Starting – Riding – Parking
ABS check– ABS warning light 1
(
b 64-68)
Coolant temperatureWarning light 2 j (red) flashes
for approx. 3 seconds after you
switch on the ignition.
The electronic engine manage-
ment system initialises itself
during this period.
e Attention:
If the coolant temperature
warning light
j comes on, stop
the engine and allow it to cool
down.
Check coolant level in the
expansion tank (
b42).
If the expansion tank is full, but
the warning light remains on, or
if coolant consumption is exces-
sive, consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Telltale and warning lights
12
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59
Starting – Riding – ParkingEngine oil pressureWarning light4 p (red) goes
out above idle speed.
e Attention:
If warning light 4 comes on dur-
ing the journey, take the follow-
ing action as soon as traffic
conditions permit:
Disengage the clutch
Operate the kill switch (
b56)
Bring the motorcycle safely to a halt
Check engine oil level
(b25)
e Attention:
If the motorcycle is being ridden
and warning light 4 lights up
even though the oil level is cor-
rect, you must consult a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Low fuel levelWhen warning light 3 m (yellow)
lights up, the usable quantity of
fuel left in the tank is approxi-
mately 4 litres.
Telltale and warning lights
34
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Riding, gear shifts
Engine speedChoose engine speeds in
accordance with the coolant
temperature reading, and do
not use maximum engine
speeds unless the engine has
reached its regular operating
temperature.
When the revolution counter
needle enters the red zone on
the dial, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted in order to protect the
engine against overspeeding.
L Note:
The governor cuts in at
7,400 rpm.
Load changes
d Warning:
Try not to open or close the
throttle abruptly, particularly
on wet or slippery roads.
Gearshifts
L Note:
Never slip the clutch excessive-
ly when changing gear. Vary
your speed only by using the
throttle in a suitable gear, not by
slipping the clutch.
It is advisable not to exceed a
maximum of 7,000 rpm
in any
gear.
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Moving away/upshifts Pull the clutch lever in
Press down on the gearshift lever (to select first gear) and
take your foot off the lever
Smoothly re-engage the clutch
Increase engine speed
slightly as necessary
For upshifts into 2nd, 3rd, 4th
and 5th gears, proceed in the
same way, but lift the gear
lever with your foot
Downshifts Close the throttle (twistgrip)
Pull the clutch lever in
Select the next-lowest gear: (opposite direction to arrow)
Smoothly re-engage the
clutch
Riding, gear shifts
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Braking
Wet bra kesAfter 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 brakes may fail to take
effect immediately if the motor-
cycle was ridden on salt-cov-
ered roads and the brakes were
not applied for some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads has to be
worn off before the brakes
start to bite.
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