Page 1 of 92

1
Rider’s Manual
R 850 R Comfort
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
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
10Classic1g.book Seite 89 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 7 of 92
21
5
General information and controls
9Stowage compartment for
on-board toolkit
10 Fuse box
11 Air filter (
b Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
12 Fuel filler cap
(
b 24)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for description
13Front brake-fluid reservoir
(
b 31, 35)
14 Type plate/vehicle identifi-
cation number
15 Spark plug, right
16 Rear brake-fluid reservoir
(
b 32, 36)
17 Helmet-holder lock (
b 16)
General view, right side
911101213
14151617
10Classic1g.book Seite 5 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 16 of 92
21
14
General information and controls
Removing seat:Turn the key in seat lock 1 to
position A
Remove the front seat
– Fuses are accessible
(
b Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
Pull the rear seat forward and
up to remove
– Toolkit is accessible
Locking seat:
e Attention:
When installing, make sure that
the seat is correctly secured.
Push the rear seat back
into catch 2 and lower it into
position
Push the front seat into
locks 3 and 4 on left and right
Apply light pressure at posi-
tion B to engage the seat lock
Seat
A
3
B
2
1
4
10Classic1g.book Seite 14 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 22 of 92
20
Safety check
2
Checklist
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.
10Classic1g.book Seite 20 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 32 of 92
30
Safety check
2
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to sink.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoirs for the front or rear
brakes has dropped below
the MIN mark (
b 31, 32) have
the brake system checked
without delay by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to
severe thermal loads and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 1) by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
10Classic1g.book Seite 30 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 35 of 92
33
Safety check
2
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS2(
Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped
with BMW Integral ABS, the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir does NOT drop as the
brake pads wear (b 35, 36).
d Warning:
If the brake fluid level in the
reservoir (
b 35, 36) has
dropped below the specified
MIN mark, have the brake
system checked without de-
lay by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
2(Optional extra
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to
severe thermal loads and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 1) by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
10Classic1g.book Seite 33 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 40 of 92

38
Safety check
2
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each
journey.
\f Note:
If the turn indicator telltale light
flashes at twice the usual
speed: defective flasher bulb.
Motorcycle with
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 7):
check the brake light and the
rear light.
If the rear light is defective the
brake light is dimmed and acts
as a rear light. When you apply
the brakes the brake light shines
at full brightness. To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (low and high
beams), rear/brake lights, turn
indicators and the number-
plate light:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Masking off headlightIf 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.
To prevent this, mask over part
of the headlight glass (apply a
piece of adhesive tape cut to
the correct size and shape).
OEOptional extra
Lights
10Classic1g.book Seite 38 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14
Page 53 of 92

51
Starting - Riding - Parking
3
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 cap 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
misfires
In the event of misfiring or a
severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer
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.
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly if a
catalytic converter is installed.
d Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material (for ex-
ample hay, grass, leaves,
clothing or luggage etc.) can
come into contact with the
hot exhaust system.
Do not allow the engine to
idle unnecessarily or for pro-
longed periods of time
– risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
10Classic1g.book Seite 51 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 2:01 14