Page 4 of 88

2
Introduction
12
i
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
Odometer/clock .................. 10
Hazard warning flashers ...... 11
Handlebar fitting ............ 12-13
Seat .................................... 14
Topcase .........................15-16
System case .................. 17-21 Safety check
Checklist ........................ 22-23
Engine oil ....................... 24-25
Fuel ................................ 26-27
Handlebar levers ............ 28-29
Brakes ........................... 30-34
Shock-absorbers ................ 35
Spring preload .................... 36
Drive chain ......................... 37
Loads............................. 38-39
Wheels ........................... 40-42
Coolant .............................. 43
Lights ............................. 44-45
Contents
10R13bkg4.book Seite 2 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
Page 7 of 88
111
5
General information and controls
General view, right side
7Fuel tank/fuel filler cap
(
b 26, 27)
8 Toolkit storage space
9 Fuse box
10 Air filter (
b Maintenance
Instructions)
11 Brake-fluid reservoir for
front brake (
b33)
12 Type plate 13
Primary spark plug
14 Secondary spark plug
15 Adjusting knob for spring
preload, rear suspension
(
b36)
16 Shock-absorber setting
(
b35)
17 Brake fluid reservoir, rear
brake (
b34)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
91011712
1716151413
8
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111
7
General information and controls
1Repeater,
flashing turn indicators left/
right green
J
2Warning light, ABS checkOE
red
D (b65)
3 Telltale light, high-beam
headlight, blue
q
4Warning light, engine oil
pressure, red
p (b59)
5 Warning light, coolant
temperature red
j (b58) 6
Telltale light,
neutral green
k
7Warning light, fuel
level down to approx.
4 litres (0.9 Imp. gal)
reserve, yellow
m
OEOptional extra
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for
description
Telltale and warning lights
13542
76
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Page 25 of 88
1
23
Safety check
2
Checklist
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
– Fuel level
– Clutch-lever play
–Brake pressure
– Brake fluid levels (front and rear)
– Operation of the ABS warning
light
–Drive chain
– Shock-absorber setting and
spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition,
spokes, tread depth and tyre
pressures
–Loading
– Coolant level
–Lights – Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel), on the basis
of the following section:
– Engine oil level
(every second stop for fuel)
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, please contact
your BMW motorcycle dealer.
He will provide the necessary
advice and assistance.
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Page 26 of 88

24
Safety check
2
Engine oil
Checking oil level
e Attention:
The red warning light
p (b7)
for engine oil pressure indicates
that the oil pump is delivering
very little oil or none at all: do
not regard this light as an oil
level indicator. Oil pressure
builds up after1-2 seconds and
the warning light goes out – the
red engine oil pressure warning
light
p should remain off when
the engine is running. Check
the oil level regularly, each time
you stop for fuel (or every sec-
ond time at the latest).
The oil level might be low if the
motorcycle has not been in use
for an extended period of time.
Under these circumstances top
up the oil level only after meas-
uring the oil level in accordance
with the instructions.
Always check engine oil level
with the engine at its regular op-
erating temperature.
Checking the oil level when the
engine is cold, just after the en-
gine has been run briefly or
when it is not properly warm will
falsify the reading, and could
lead to the engine being operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of oil
in the system.
L Note:
The oil temperature affects the
reading. The warmer the oil, the
higher the oil level in the sump.
Check the oil after a run, in or-
der to avoid overfilling.
Hold the motorcycle upright – Make sure the ground is level and firm.
– Check the oil when the engine is at operating temperature
(after the motorcycle has
been ridden, or else allow the
engine to idle until the fan
switches on)
Allow the engine to idle for at least 1 minute
Switch off the engine
Use the spark plug wrench to remove plug 1
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26
Safety check
2
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
Fuel expands when hot (for
instance if the fuel tank is in
the sun). For this reason, only
fill as far as the lower edge of
the filler neck.
e Attention:
Leaded fuel will destroy the cat-
alytic converter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
catalytic converter.
Wipe off plastic parts immedi-
ately if they are wetted with fuel.
Fuel
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Page 29 of 88
1
27
Safety check
2
Place the motorcycle on the main (centre) or side stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
Open the fuel filler cap
Refuel
e Attention:
Always stop filling the fuel tank
when the refuelling nozzle auto-
matically shuts off the supply.
– Always use regular unleaded fuel to DIN 51607 or equiva-
lent standard, min. octane
number 91 (RON) or 81 (MON)
e Attention:
Always use the key to close the
fuel filler cap.
Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity
– Total capacity: 17.3 litres (5.28 Imp. gal)
–A yellow warning light 1
comes on when there are
approximately 4 litres
(0.9 Imp. gal) of fuel left in the
tank
1 Fuel
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Page 51 of 88
3
49
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the cata-
lytic converter:
Do not run the fuel tank dry
Push-start only when the engine is cold
Do not run the engine with a spark plug lead disconnected
Do not exceed the engine- speed limits marked on the
revolution counter
Comply with all specified maintenance intervals
Stop the engine at once if it is misfiring
In the event of misfiring or a
severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer.
e Attention:
If misfiring or malfunction of the
fuel-air mixture preparation sys-
tem causes unburned fuel to
reach the catalytic converter,
there is a risk of it overheating
and being damaged.
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