2004 BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 S Rider's Manual (in English)

347Operation
If button1 is not pressed for
longer than one second, the
shock absorbers are set as
displayed.
During the setting procedure,
the display flashes.Adjusting the spring
preloadThe spring preload cannot be
adjusted while the motorcycle
is being ridden.
Three adjustments are possi-
ble; these are shown in the
field3 as follows:Solo operation
Solo operation with
luggage
Operation with pillion
passenger (and luggage)
•Start the engine.
• Press button1 briefly.
» The current setting is
displayed.
• Press button1 once for
longer than one second.
» Starting from the current
status, the display is in the
following order:– Solo operation
– Solo operation with
luggage
– Operation with pillion
passenger (and luggage)
If button1 is not pressed for
longer than one second, the
spring preload will be set as
displayed. During the setting
procedure, the display flashes.
WheelsChecking the tyre
pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure
adversely affects the
handling characteristics of the
motorcycle and can lead to
accidents.
Ensure that the tyres are at the
correct pressure.c

Operation348
Incorrect tyre pressure
reduces the operating life
of the tyres.
Ensure that the tyres are at the
correct pressure.c
The tyre pressures required
can be found in the technical
data (b 126).
At high road speeds, tyre
valves have a tendency
to open as a result of centrifu-
gal force.
To avoid sudden loss of tyre
pressure, use a metal valve
cap with rubber sealing ring on
the rear wheel and tighten it
securely.c

449Riding
Safety instructions ........................ 50
Safety check .................................. 52
Making your first trip..................... 52
Before you start ............................. 53
Starting ........................................... 56
Riding ............................................. 58
Running in ...................................... 58
Shifting gear .................................. 59
Placing the motorcycle on its
side stand....................................... 61
Taking the motorcycle off the
side stand....................................... 63
Placing the motorcycle on the
centre stand
OA
.............................. 65
Pushing the motorcycle off the
centre stand
OA
.............................. 67Fuel ................................................. 67
Brake system ................................. 68

Riding450
Safety instructionsSpeedWhen riding at high speed,
various marginal conditions
can adversely affect the
handling characteristics of the
motorcycle:
– adjustment of the spring-
strut and shock absorber
system
– unequally distributed load
– loose clothing
– insufficient tyre pressure
– poor tyre tread
–etc.Correct loading
Overloading can ad-
versely affect the riding
stability of the motorcycle.
Do not exceed the permissible
gross weight and permissible
wheel loads (
b 137).c
Alcohol and drugs
Even small amounts of
alcohol or drugs can
considerably adversely affect
your perception, judgement
and ability to make decisions,
as well as your reflexes. Taking
medication can increase these
effects.
Do not ride your motorcycle
after consuming alcohol,
drugs and/or medication.c
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
Inhaling exhaust fumes is
a health hazard and can
lead to loss of consciousness
or death.
Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
Do not run the engine in en-
closed spaces.cHigh voltage
Touching live parts of the
ignition system with the
engine running can lead to
electric shocks.
Do not touch any parts of the
ignition system when the en-
gine is running.c

451Riding
Catalytic converterIf misfiring causes unburned
fuel to enter the catalytic con-
verter, there is a danger of
overheating and damage.
For this reason, observe the
following points:
– 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 immedi-
ately.
– 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.
If highly flammable mate-
rials (e.g. hay, leaves,
grass, clothing and luggage,
etc.) make contact with the hot
exhaust pipe, they can start to
burn.
Ensure that no highly flamma-
ble materials can come into
contact with the hot exhaust
system.c
–If the engine runs for a
longer period when the
motorcycle is stationary, the
cooling is inadequate and
overheating can occur. In
extreme cases, the motorcy-
cle could catch fire.
Do not let the engine run for
unnecessary periods when the motorcycle is stationary.
After starting, move off
immediately.c
Manipulation of the engine
electronics control unit
Manipulation of the engine
electronics control unit can
cause damage to the motorcy-
cle and therefore lead to acci-
dents. Do not manipulate the en-
gine electronics control unit.c
Any manipulation of the
engine electronics
control unit can lead to
mechanical loads for which
the components of the motor-
cycle are not configured. Dam-
age caused in this way invali-
dates the warranty.
Do not manipulate the engine
electronics control unit.c

Riding452
Safety checkPrior to every journeyUse the following checklist to
check important functions,
settings and wear limits before
starting to ride. Checklist–Brakes (
b 93)
– Brake fluid level (
b 91)
– Clutch function (b 93)
– Clutch fluid level (b 93)
– Warning and telltale lights
(
b 18)
– Shock absorber setting
(b 44, 46) and spring
preload (
b 47)
–Rims (
b 94), tread depth
(
b 94) and tyre pressure
(b 47)
– Load, gross weight (
b 137)
– Secure luggage systemAt regular intervals:
– Engine oil level (every time
you refuel) (
b 86)
– Brake pads (every second/
third time you refuel)
(
b 90, 91)
Making your first tripSafe handling of your
motorcycleEach motorcycle has its 'own
life' that you have to get used
to:
– Acceleration capability
– Road holding
– Cornering characteristics
–Braking power
The engine also has to be
run in during the first 1,000 km
(b 58).You will find information on
BMW Integral ABS from
(
b 69) onwards.
BMW Integral ABS incor-
porates braking power
assistance, so that braking
power is significantly higher
than with conventional brake
systems. Especially when
cornering, unintentionally hard
braking can lead to dangerous
situations.
Practice braking with
BMW Integral ABS in safe
situations.c

453Riding
Before you startSwitching on the ignition• Read the information on the
EWS (
b 22).
• Kill switch1 in operating
positionA.
• Switch on the ignition.
» Pre-ride check is carried out.
» With BMW Integral ABS:
ABS self-diagnosis is
performed.
Pre-ride checkAfter the ignition has been
switched on, a pre-ride check
is carried out. Here, the func-
tions of all warning lights and
warning symbols are checked.
The following are displayed in
succession in the multifunc-
tion display:
Phase 1
General warning light
lights up red.
Engine oil pressure
symbol is displayed.Battery charge current
symbol is displayed.
Phase 2
General warning light
lights up yellow.
Engine electronics
symbol is displayed.
EWS symbol is
displayed.

Riding454
Phase 3
Lamps defective warning
light is displayed.
If one of the warning
lights or a warning
symbol cannot be displayed,
a function fault in the corre-
sponding system cannot be
displayed.
Pay attention to the displays
for all lights and symbols.cIf one of the lights or symbols
is not displayed:
• Have the fault remedied as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW motor-
cycle dealer.
After completion of the pre-
ride check, the current values
are displayed.
If the engine is started
during the pre-ride
check, the pre-ride check is
cancelled.c
With BMW Integral ABS, the
ABS self-diagnosis is also
carried out.
ABS self-diagnosisThe ABS warning light is
shown in one of the following
three variants depending on
the country:
The operational readiness of
the BMW Integral ABS is
checked by the self-diagnosis
and starting-off test (
b 58).
Self-diagnosis is performed
automatically when you switch
on the ignition.
Self-diagnosis is not per-
formed unless both brake
levers are in their fully released