Page 32 of 92
22
30
Safety check
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads 
causes the brake fluid level in 
the reservoir to drop.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid 
reservoirs for the front or rear 
brakes has dropped below 
the MIN mark (
b 31, 32), have 
the brake system checked 
without delay by a specialist 
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle 
dealer.
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to 
severe thermal loads and 
absorbs moisture from the 
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid 
must be changed regularly 
(see the Maintenance Instruc-
tions  
b Chapter 1)  by  a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably 
an authorised BMW 
motorcycle dealer.
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 30  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 33 of 92
2
31
2
Safety check
Checking front brake fluid 
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid 
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark)
 Place motorcycle on centre 
stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm  Turn the handlebars fully to 
the left
 Check brake fluid level in  sight glass
MIN Minimum level
(top of marking ring)
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads 
causes the brake fluid level in 
the reservoir to drop.
MIN
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 31  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 34 of 92
22
32
Safety check
MAX
MIN
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking rear brake fluid 
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid 
level to drop below the MIN 
mark on the brake fluid reser-
voir
 Place motorcycle on centre  stand
– Make sure the ground is  level and firm  Check the brake fluid level
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads 
causes the brake fluid level in 
the reservoir to drop.
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 32  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 35 of 92
2
33
2
Safety check
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped 
with BMW Integral ABS, the 
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir does NOT drop as the 
brake pads wear (b 35, 36). 
d Warning:
Have the brake system 
checked immediately by a 
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised BMW mo-
torcycle dealer, if the brake 
fluid level in the reservoir of 
the brake system drops below 
the MIN mark (b 35, 36).
 Optional extra
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to 
severe thermal loads and 
absorbs moisture from the 
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid 
must be changed regularly 
(see the Maintenance Instruc-
tions
 b Chapter 1) by 
a specialist workshop, 
preferably an authorised 
BMW motorcycle dealer.
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 33  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 36 of 92

22
34
Safety check
Residual braking function
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched 
off, before and during 
self-diagnosis (
b 72), or if the 
BMW Integral ABS fails, only a 
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION remains available for 
slowing the motorcycle 
(
b 71).
When the RESIDUAL 
BRAKING FUNCTION is 
active, you must apply 
CONSIDERABLY higher 
pressure to the brake lever in 
question in order to apply the 
brakes, and lever travel is 
longer.
When the RESIDUAL 
BRAKING FUNCTION is ac-
tive, the ABS function is una-
vailable in the brake systems 
in question.
 Optional extra
d Warning:
When the RESIDUAL 
BRAKING FUNCTION is 
active, maintain a defensive 
riding style and proceed im-
mediately to the nearest spe-
cialist workshop, preferably 
an authorised 
BMW motorcycle dealer.
L Note:
When the RESIDUAL BRAKING 
FUNCTION is active, it is advis-
able to set adjuster  A (
b 27) on 
the front-brake lever to 
position 4.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 34  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 37 of 92
2
35
2
Safety check
MIN
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Checking front brake fluid 
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid 
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark)
 Place motorcycle on centre 
stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
 Optional extra
 Turn the handlebars fully to the left
 Check bake fluid level in 
sight glass
MIN Minimum level
(top of marking ring)
L Note:
The brake fluid level in the 
brake fluid reservoir remains 
constant despite wear of the 
brake pads.
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 35  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 38 of 92