2004 BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 R length

Status indicators230
• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW motor-
cycle dealer.
General warning light
flashes red once per
second.
ABS warning light flashes
once per second.
Fluid level in BMW Integral
ABS too low. You cannot check the flu-
id level in a wheel brake
circuit by observing the level in
the brake-fluid reservoir. c
Several factors, including very
badly worn brake pads, can
trigger this warning. Worn brake pads can
considerably lengthen
braking distances.
Think well ahead and brake
early. c
Worn brake pads can
damage the brake discs.
Avoid severe braking, if
possible. c
• Check the thickness of the brake pads (
b
94).
• Have worn brake pads
replaced as soon as possi-
ble by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. If the brake pad thickness is
sufficient:
• Check the following func-
tions:
– Ignition off, brake pressure
present at the brake levers.
– Brakes acting on both
wheels.
– Brake system leaktight, no signs of brake fluid
escaping.
If the functions are not shown: There is a defect in the
brake system.
Do not continue to ride. c
If these functions are in order,
you can continue riding. How-
ever, bear in mind that a loss
of brake fluid that cannot be
detected might be the cause
of the warning.

455Riding
– Do not ride the motorcycle with the fuel tank empty.
– Do not run the engine with the spark-plug cap removed.
– In the event of engine misfir-
ing, stop the engine
immediately.
– Only refuel using unleaded fuel.
– Be sure to adhere to the
prescribed maintenance
intervals.
Unburned fuel destroys
the catalytic converter.
Note the points listed for
protection of the catalytic
converter. c
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at
the exhaust pipe.
Flammable materials
(e.g. hay, leaves, grass,
clothing and luggage, etc.)
could ignite if allowed to come
into contact with the hot ex-
haust pipe.
Do not permit flammable ma-
terials to come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.c
Cooling would be inade-
quate if the engine were
allowed to idle for a lengthy
period with the motorcycle at a
standstill: overheating would
result. In extreme cases, the
motorcycle could catch fire.
Do not allow the engine to idle
unnecessarily. Ride away im-
mediately after starting the
engine. c
Tampering with
electronic engine
management system
Tampering with the con-
trol unit of the electronic
engine-management system
can damage the motorcycle
and cause accidents.
Do not tamper with the control
unit of the electronic engine-
management system. c
Tampering with the con-
trol unit of the electronic
engine-management system
can result in mechanical loads
that the motorcycle's compo-
nents are not designed to
withstand. Damage caused in
this way is not covered by the
warranty.
Do not tamper with the control
unit of the electronic engine-
management system. c

Riding464
Brake padsNew brake pads must "bed
down" and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 500 km.
This initial reduction in braking
efficiency can be compen-
sated for by exerting greater
pressure on the levers.New brake pads can
considerably lengthen
the braking distance.
Think well ahead and brake
carefully; avoid severe
braking. c
TyresNew tyres have a smooth sur-
face. This must be roughened
by riding in a restrained man-
ner at various heel angles until
the tyres are run in. This run-
ning in procedure is essential if
the tyres are to achieve maxi-
mum grip.
Tyres do not have their
full grip when new and
there is a risk of accident at
extreme angles of heel.
Avoid extreme angles of
heel. c
Shifting gearEngine speedDo not use the high end of the
engine-revolutions range in
any gear unless the engine is
at operating temperature.
When the revolution counter
needle enters the red zone on
the dial, the throttle-valve
angle is limited in order to pro-
tect the engine against over-
speeding. The governor cuts
in at 11,000 rpm.

689Maintenance
ToolkitThe toolkit is on the underside
of the seat.
You can obtain a more exten-
sive, additional set of tools
from your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Contents of the basic toolkit:1 Screwdriver with reversible
blade
2 Torx wrench, T25
3 Screwdriver, small Contents of supplementary
toolkit
OA:
1 Screwdriver blade
2 Socket wrench, w/f 17
3 Spark plug socket spanner
4 Open-ended spanner,
w/f 17
5 TORX® wrenches, T40,
T45, T50
Engine oilChecking the engine
oil levelCheck the oil level at regular
intervals.
The oil level depends on
the oil temperature. The
higher the temperature the
higher the oil level in the oil
tank.
Check the engine oil level
immediately after a lengthy
journey. c
The oil that drains into the
sump while the motorcy-
cle is not in use has to be
pumped back into the oil tank
before you read the oil level.
The engine oil must be at op-
erating temperature. Checking
the oil level with the engine
cold or after no more than a

Maintenance690
short ride will lead to misinter-
pretation; this, in turn, means
that the engine will be operat-
ed with the incorrect quantity
of oil.
In order to ensure that the en-
gine oil level is read correctly,
check the oil level only after a
lengthy trip.c
• Make sure the engine is at operating temperature and
hold the motorcycle upright
or place it on the centre
stand, after ensuring that the
ground is level and firm.
• Allow the engine to idle for
one minute.
• Switch off the ignition.
• Read off the oil level. 1
Indicator for engine-oil
level
• Check the oil level in oil-level indicator 1. 2
Maximum engine oil level
3 Minimum engine oil level
The oil level must be between
the MIN and MAX marks. The
difference is approx. 0.5 litres.

If the oil level is below the
MIN mark:
• Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is above the
MAX mark:
• Correct the level by draining off some of the engine oil.
Damage to the engine
can result if it is operated
without enough oil, but the
same also applies if the oil lev-
el is too high. Always make
sure that the oil level is
correct. c

Maintenance6118
Charging the battery
when disconnected
The battery has to be re-
charged at regular inter-
vals in the course of a lengthy
period of disuse.
See the instructions for caring
for your battery. Always fully
recharge the battery before
restoring it to use. c
• Charge the battery using a suitable charger.
• Comply with the operating instructions of the charger.
• Once the battery is fully charged, disconnect the
charger terminal clips from
the battery terminals.
Removing battery
The types of screw used
are listed on (
b
128). c
If it is not standing firmly,
the motorcycle could
topple in the course of the
operations described below.
Make sure that the motorcycle
is steady on its stand. c
• Switch off the ignition.
• Remove screws 1. • Slip the cover of the battery
compartment forward and lift
it clear.

Technical data8140
Dimensions and weightsDimensions
Max. length (with luggage carrier) 2,228 mm
Maximum width (across mirrors) 856 mm
Maximum height (across mirrors) 1,230 mm
Seat height 820 mm
Seat height (low seat
OE) 790 mm
Wheelbase in normal-load position 1,580 mm
Ground clearance in normal-load position 118 mm
Weights
Unladen weight (ready for road, fuel tank full) 237 kg
Maximum payload 213 kg
Permissible gross weight 450 kg