Page 4 of 92

2
Introduction
1
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
Trip meter/clock .................. 10
Hazard warning flashers ...... 11
Left handlebar fitting ........... 12
Right handlebar fitting ......... 13
Seat ............................... 14-15
Helmet holder ..................... 16
System cases................. 17-19Safety check
Checklist ........................ 20-21
Engine oil ....................... 22-23
Fuel ................................ 24-25
Handlebar levers ............ 26-27
Brake system
- general ........................ 28-29
Brake system - without
BMW Integral ABS ......... 30-32
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS ......... 33-36
Clutch ................................. 37
Lights ............................. 38-40
Shock-absorber
adjustment .......................... 41
Spring preload .................... 42
Wheels ........................... 43-44
Accessories and loads ... 45-47
Contents
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21
4
General information and controls
1Front suspension strut,
shock-absorber adjuster
(
b 41)
2 Reservoir for clutch
hydraulic fluid (
b 37)
3 Engine oil filler neck
(
b 23)
4 Rear suspension strut,
spring preload (
b 42) 5
Seat lock (
b 14)
6 Rear suspension strut,
shock-absorber adjuster
(
b 41)
7 Spark plug, left
8 Oil level sight glass, engine
(
b 23)
( ) Figure in brackets
General view, left side
1234
6758
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21
7
General information and controls1Telltale light, left turn
indicator green
s
2 Warning light fuel level/
when approx. 5 litres left in
tank orange
m (b 25, 62)
3 Telltale light,
neutral green
k (b 59)
4 Telltale light, high-beam
headlight blue
q
5 Telltale light, right turn indi-
cator green
t
OEOptional extra
6Warning light, battery
charge current red
r
(
b 63)
7 Warning light,
ABS red
\bOE (b 63)
8 Warning light, general
red
e (b 63)
9 Warning light, engine oil
pressure red
p (b 62)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for description
Telltale and warning lights
12435
9
8
6
7
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21
Safety check
2
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
–Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar-
lever fittings
– Brake fluid level
– Clutch fluid level
– Brakes
– Warning lights and telltale
lights
– Lights
– Shock-absorber setting and
spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition,
tread depth and tyre
pressures
– Load, gross weight –
Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel), on the basis
of the following section:
– Engine-oil level
(every 2nd/3rd stop for fuel):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, it is always best to
contact your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. He will
provide the necessary advice
and assistance.
Checklist
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22
Safety check
2
Engine oil
Checking oil levelCheck the oil level every time
you stop for fuel.
Always check the oil level when
the engine is at operating tem-
perature, because the differ-
ence between the oil level
indicated when the engine is at
operating temperature and the
oil level indicated when the
engine is very cold due to
extremely low outdoor temper-
atures (-10°C) can be as much
as 10 mm.
After switching off the engine at
operating temperature, wait at
least 5 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the sump. Checking the oil level after the
engine has been run only briefly
or when it is not properly warm
will falsify the reading and could
lead to the engine being oper-
ated with the wrong quantity of
oil, because cold oil is viscous
and takes longer to drain back
into the sump. At extremely low
outdoor temperatures (-10
°C),
this can take as long as
12 hours.
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– Never exceed the maximum
oil level mark .
– Always keep the oil level
above the minimum mark .
Always check the oil level with
the motorcycle upright.
Check the oil level with the
engine at its regular operating
temperature
Check the oil level after the
engine has been stopped for
at least 5 minutes
Make sure that the motorcy-
cle is upright
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm
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23
Safety check
2
Check the oil level at the sight
glass:
MAX Top edge
of marking ring
MIN Bottom edge
of marking ring
– The difference between the
two marks is approx. 0.5 litre
If necessary, remove oil filler
plug 2 and top up the engine
oil through oil filler neck 1
Reinstall oil filler plug 2
e Attention:
The red warning light
p (b 7)
for engine oil pressure indicates
no (or very little) oil pressure in
the lube-oil system; this light
must not be regarded as an oil
level check.
Oil pressure builds up after
1-2 seconds and the warning
light goes out – the red engine
oil pressure warning light
p
should remain off while the en-
gine is running.
Engine oil
BMW recommends Castrol
MAX
MIN12
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62
Starting - Riding - Parking
3
Low fuel level
When warning light 1 comes on,
there are still approximately
5 litres of fuel in the tank.
Engine oil pressureWarning light 2 goes out above
idle speed.
e Attention:
If warning light 2 comes on dur-
ing the journey, take the follow-
ing action as soon as traffic
conditions permit:
Disengage the clutch
Operate the kill switch
Bring the motorcycle safely to
a halt
Check engine oil level
(
b 22)
If the warning light comes on
but the oil level is correct, al-
ways consult a specialist work-
shop without delay, preferably
an authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Warning lights
1234
5
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67
Starting - Riding - Parking
3
Brake system – general
Oil and grease on brakes
d Warning:
Brake discs and pads must be
free from oil or grease.
Dirt or mud on brakesWhen riding on loose surfaces
or muddy roads, the brakes
may fail to take effect immedi-
ately because of dirt or mois-
ture on the discs or brake pads.
d Warning:
The brakes must first be
applied until the discs and
pads are clean.
Dirt on the brakes increases
the rate of pad wear.
d Warning:
If the brake lever can be moved
right to the limit of its travel, this
indicates a mechanical or hy-
draulic fault. The brake system is
defective.
Immediately consult a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer.
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