2003 BMW MOTORRAD R 850 R weight

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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40
Safety check
2
Headlight basic setting
\f Note:
Do not prop the motorcycle on
the centre or side stand.
 Check tyre pressures and
correct if necessary.
 Set the spring-strut adjuster
to the position for one-up
riding
 Position the motorcycle on a
level surface 10 metres
(headlight) from a light-col-
oured wall, and with the
rider's weight (approx. 85 kg)
on the seat
 Measure the distance H from
the ground to the centre of
the headlight
 Transfer this height H to the
wall and draw a cross on the
wall at this point 
Draw a second cross
(x = 25 cm) lower
 Switch on the low-beam
headlight beam
 Align the headlight in such a
way that the light-dark cut-off
starts in the middle of the bot-
tom cross and rises to the
right to the height of the upper
cross, before dropping again.
\f Note:
Have the headlight basic set-
ting checked by a specialist
workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Lights
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41
Safety check
2
1
2
d Warning:
Before riding off, adjust the
front shock absorbers to suit
the surface and your style of
riding. Adjust the rear shock
absorber to suit the gross
weight of the motorcycle plus
load.
 Place the motorcycle on the
centre stand
 Use a screwdriver to adjust
the front/rear shock absorbers Basic setting (one-up):

Turn adjusting screw 1 or 2 all
the way clockwise in the direc-
tion indicated by arrow H
 Back off adjusting screw 1 or,
as applicable, 2 two turns
counter-clockwise in the
direction indicated by arrow S
Hard setting "H":
 Fully tighten adjusting screw 1
or, as applicable, 2
Soft setting "S":
 Fully back off adjusting screw
1 or, as applicable, 2
Shock-absorber adjustment
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42
Safety check
2
1
d Warning:
Before the journey starts, ad-
just spring preload to suit
gross weight.
For safety reasons, never at-
tempt to alter spring preload
while the motorcycle is being
ridden.
Always bring the motorcycle
to a stop before adjusting.
If spring preload is changed
the shock absorber setting al-
ways has to be adjusted ac-
cordingly.
Adjusting spring preload  Place the motorcycle on the
centre stand
 Adjust spring preload at
knob 1
Basic setting, one-up:
 Turn knob 1 as far as it will go
counter-clockwise in the
direction indicated by the
" LOW " arrow
 Turn knob 1 one mark clock-
wise in the direction indicated
by the " HIGH" arrow
Setting for two-up and luggage:
 Turn knob 1 as far as it will go
clockwise in the direction indi-
cated by the "HIGH" arrow
Spring preload
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44
Safety check
2
Wheels
Checking tyre pressures
d Warning:
Incorrect tyre pressures have
a considerable influence on
handling and on tyre life.
Adjust tyre pressures to suit
total weight. Never exceed ei-
ther the motorcycle ’s gross
weight or the individual wheel
load limits (b 47). –
When tyres are cold:
 Remove valve caps
 Check/correct tyre pressure
Tyre pressures: Front Rear
One-up 2.2 bar 2.5 bar
Two-up 2.5 bar 2.7 bar
Two-up
with luggage 2.5 bar 2.9 bar
 Fully tighten valve caps
Fully tightening valve caps
d Warning:
At high road speeds, tyre
valves have a tendency to
open as a result of centrifugal
force.
Use only metal valve caps
with rubber seals.
Valve caps that are screwed
on well prevent air from es-
caping suddenly.
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46
Safety check
2
Correct loading
d Warning:
Overloading can impair the
handling of your motorcycle.
 Make sure that the weight is
uniformly distributed between
right and left
 Pack heavy items at the bot-
tom and toward the inboard
side 
Max. load in each case
OA (left
and right): 10 kg
 Max. load on luggage rack
and in tank-top rucksack
OA
5kg each
 Check that fastenings are
correctly positioned and tight
d Warning:
With cases installed, it is
advisable not to exceed
130 km/h
OAOptional accessory
Accessories and loads
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47
Safety check
2
e Attention:
Do not exceed the gross weight
limit of 450 kg.
Do not exceed the wheel load
limits of 180 kg at the front and
300 kg at the rear.
Set the shock absorbers,
spring preload and tyre pres-
sures to suit gross weight
(
b 41, 42, 44).
The gross weight consists of:
– Motorcycle with full tank
– Rider
– Passenger
–Luggage
Accessories and loads
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52
Starting - Riding - Parking
3
Placing motorcycle on
side stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
e Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the side stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
On a gradient, the motorcycle
should always face uphill; se-
lect 1st gear. 
Switch off the ignition
 Keep both feet on the ground
 Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
 Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
 Hold the motorcycle upright
and balanced
 Use your left foot at the exten-
sion pin to extend the side
stand fully (arrow)
 Slowly lean the motorcycle to
the side until its weight is taken
by the stand and dismount
 Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (
b 9)
 Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Side stand
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