Page 1 of 88

Rider’s Manual
F 650 GS
F 650 GS Dakar
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
InstructionsBMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
10R13bkg4.book Seite 81 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
BA_Titel_neu_Blank.fm Seite 93 Montag, 6. Oktober 2003 11:40 11
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
10R13bkg4.book Seite 5 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
Page 24 of 88
22
Safety check
2
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. If your motor-
cycle needs any routine mainte-
nance, you can attend to it
before the journey starts
(
b Maintenance Instructions),
or have it carried out by your
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer. This is to ensure that
your motorcycle complies with
road-vehicle use and safety
laws.
A motorcycle in perfect techni-
cal condition is essential for
your safety and that of other
road users.
Checklist
10R13bkg4.book Seite 22 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
Page 39 of 88
1
37
Safety check
2
Drive chain
Checking the chain
e Attention:
Chain tension has an effect on
the rate of wear of the drive
chain and the chain sprocket,
and it also affects travel of the
rear suspension.
Lubricate the chain regularly.
Before riding off, always check
the chain tension and check the
drive chain for damage and
wear.
Always make sure that there is
no load on the motorcycle when
you check the chain. Place the motorcycle on its
main stand [Dakar: side stand]
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
Chain stretch is not uniform, so turn the rear wheel until
you find the point at which the
chain is at its tightest
When the chain is at its tight-
e s t , p u sh it f u l ly u p a t po s it i o n 1
Check chain slack: specifica-
tion
A 35...45 mm
(1.38...1.77 inch)
[Dakar: 40...50 mm
(1.57...1.97 inch)],
adjust the drive chain as
necessary (b Maintenance
Instructions)
A
1
10R13bkg4.book Seite 37 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
Page 45 of 88
1
43
Safety check
2
Checking coolant level
e Attention:
Always keep the coolant level
above the minimum mark.
Check coolant level only when
the engine is cold.
Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it verti-
cal
Check coolant at expansion tank:
MIN Minimum level
e Attention:
Never overfill the expansion
tank. Top up the coolant if neces-
sary (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 2)
L Note:
If the expansion tank is full and
the coolant temperature is high
(as indicated by red warning
light
j b 58) or coolant con-
sumption is excessive, consult
an authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Coolant
MIN
MAX
10R13bkg4.book Seite 43 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
Page 46 of 88
44
Safety check
2
Checking lights
e Attention:
Always check that all lights are
in full working order before rid-
ing off.
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes
at twice the usual speed:
Defective flasher bulb.
To change bulbs in parking
lights, high-beam or low-beam
headlight, rear light and brake
light:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Adjusting headlight for
RHD/LHD traffic
If the motorcycle is ridden in a
country where the opposite rule
of the road applies, its asym-
metric low headlight beam will
tend to dazzle oncoming traffic.
Consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer, to have the
headlight adjusted to suit
whichever rule of the road
applies.
e Attention:
Adhesive films with unsuitable
adhesives can damage the
headlight lens.
Lights
10R13bkg4.book Seite 44 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
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.
10R13bkg4.book Seite 49 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16
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3
56
Starting – Riding – Parking
1
Switch on the ignition– Engine stop switch 1 in the
operating position
U
Ignition switch ON (b9)
Wait until the warning light for coolant temperature (
b7)
stops flashing
In an emergency only:
Move the kill switch 1 to posi-
tion
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
green
k (b7) 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 Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 1)
Before you start
10R13bkg4.book Seite 56 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16