2004 BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 GT engine

42
Safety check
2
Coolant level
Checking coolant level
 Attention:
Always keep the level above the
minimum mark. Check coolant
level only when the engine is
cold. • Place motorcycle on main
(centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm.
• Remove the seat if necessary
(

22)
• Check coolant in expansion
tank:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
10k41bkg3.book Seite 42 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

56
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Handling your motorcycle
safely
Each motorcycle has a charac-
ter all its own. It is time now for
you to familiarise yourself with
the way your own motorcycle
behaves:
– Acceleration
– Roadholding
– Cornering
–Braking …
These are all things you need to
become familiar with.
Please remember too that if
the motorcycle has not yet cov-
ered 1,000 kilometres (approx.
600 miles), the engine is not yet
fully run in.
 Attention:
BMW Integral ABS incorporates
a brake booster, so braking ef-
ficiency is significantly higher
than with conventional brake
systems.
 Warning:
The tyres need to cover a cer-
tain distance before they ac-
quire their full road grip
(
65).
If you ride at high speed, always
bear in mind that various
boundary conditions such as
the spring preload setting and
the shock absorber setting, an
unbalanced luggage load,
loose clothing, low tyre pres-
sure, poor tyre tread, and so on,
can affect the handling of your
motorcycle.
Your first journey
10k41bkg3.book Seite 56 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

58
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Important notes
Risk of fatal injuryYour motorcycle is equipped
with Digital Motor Electronics
(Motronic) and a high-power
ignition system.
 Warning:
When the engine is running or
the ignition switched on, nev-
er touch electrically live parts
of the ignition system or the
digital engine electronics.
BMW Integral ABS
 Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION remains availa-
ble for slowing the motorcycle
(

77).
Under these circumstances
you must apply CONSIDERA-
BLY higher pressure to the
brake levers in order to apply
the brakes, and lever travel is
longer
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
 Warning:
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a health
hazard and can even cause
loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not run the engine in an
enclosed space.
10k41bkg3.book Seite 58 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

3
59
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
 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 detached
• 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.
 Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material
(for example 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 a
lengthy period when the mo-
torcycle is at a standstill
— risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
10k41bkg3.book Seite 59 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

60
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Placing motorcycle on
side stand
 Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
 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
• U s e y o u r le f t f o o t a t t h e e x t e n -
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 dis-
mount from the motorcycle
• Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (

11)
• Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Side stand
10k41bkg3.book Seite 60 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

62
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Placing motorcycle on
main (centre) stand
 Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
main stand extended.
 Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the main stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
• Switch off the ignition
• Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand • Hold the lifting handle with
your right hand
• Place your right foot on the
extension pin of the main
stand and press it down until
the curved shoes of the stand
touch the ground
• Place your right foot on the
tread surface of the stand
• Apply all your body weight to the stand
• Pull the motorcycle to the rear and upwards until it rests on
the main stand
• Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Main (centre) stand
10k41bkg3.book Seite 62 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

64
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
 Attention:
Exceeding the specified engine
speeds while running in will lead
to increased engine wear.

Note:
While running in the motorcycle,
vary the throttle opening and
engine-speed range frequently.
Try to do most of your riding dur-
ing this initial period on twisting,
fairly hilly roads rather than high-
speed main roads and highways.
Running-in speedsFrom 0 to 1,000 km (600 miles)
• Engine speed max. 4,000 rpm and no full-load acceleration
• The first inspection should always be performed after
1,000 km (600 miles). Make an
appointment with your author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer in
good time, so that the work can
be performed punctually.
From 1,000 to 2,000 km
(600 to 1,200 miles)
• Engine speeds can be gradually increased after 1,000 km
(600 miles)
• Avoid lengthy periods at full
load until 2,000 km (1,200
miles) have been covered
Running in
10k41bkg3.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17

66
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Before you start
Switch on the ignition– Move the kill switch to the run position A
• Ignition switch ON
In an emergency only:
• Move switch 1 to the B
position.
– The Motronic, fuel pump and
starter motor electrical cir-
cuits are de-energised

Note:
If you move the kill switch to the
B position while the ignition is
on (switch in ON position), the
BMW Integral ABS remains op-
erational (

74-81).
Fully retract the side stand

Note:
If the side stand is extended
and a gear engaged, you can-
not start the motorcycle.
Select neutral– Neutral indicator light green
 is on (
7)
– Gear indicator shows “0”

Note:
Engine does not start:
– Move the gear lever to the

position or disengage the
clutch
Engine stops when first gear is
engaged:
– Fully retract the side stand; if
necessary, consult the trouble-
shooting chart (

Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
10k41bkg3.book Seite 66 Donnerstag, 27. Mai 2004 5:30 17