Page 4 of 92

i
2
Introduction
General information and 
controls
General view, left side ........... 4
General view, right side ......... 5
Cockpit ................................. 6
Telltale and warning lights ..... 7
Ignition switch and steering 
lock .................................... 8-9
Trip meter/clock .................. 10
Hazard warning flashers ...... 11
Left handlebar fitting ........... 12
Right handlebar fitting ......... 13
Seat/helmet holder .............. 14
Seats ............................. 15-16
System case .................. 17-19Safety check
Checklist ........................ 20-21
Engine oil ....................... 22-23
Fuel ................................ 24-25
Handlebar levers ............ 26-27
Brake system -
general........................... 28-29
Brake system - without
BMW Integral ABS ......... 30-32
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS ......... 33-36
Clutch ................................. 37
Lights ............................. 38-40
Shock-absorber 
adjustment .......................... 41
Suspension
spring preload ..................... 42
Wheels ........................... 43-44
Accessories and loads ... 45-47
Contents
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 2  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 5 of 92
3
i
Introduction
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first journey ........... 48-49
Important notes ............. 50-51
Side stand ..................... 52-53
Centre stand ................. 54-55
Running in ..................... 56-57
Before you start ............. 58-59
Starting ......................... 60-61
Telltale and warning 
lights ............................. 62-63
Riding, gear shifts.......... 64-65
Brake system 
- general ........................ 66-67
Brake system - with 
BMW Integral ABS......... 68-74
BMW Integral ABS 
- Fault table ......................... 75Arrive safely
Reliability ........................76-77
Service worldwide ............... 78
Environmental protection .... 79
BMW rider’s equipment ....... 80
BMW motorcycle 
equipment ........................... 81
Training means extra 
safety .................................. 82
Concluding thoughts ........... 83
Contents
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 3  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 7 of 92
1
General information and controls
5
9Storage compartment for 
toolkit
10 Fuse box
11 Air filter ( b Maintenance 
Instructions, Chapter 2)
12 Fuel filler cap (
b 24)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number with explanation
*Only R1150R
13 Brake fluid reservoir for front 
brake (
b 31, 35)
14 Type plate/vehicle identifi-
cation number
15 Primary spark plug, right 
16 Secondary spark plug*, right 
17 Brake fluid reservoir for rear 
brake (
b 32, 36)
18 Helmet/seat lock (
b 14)
General view, right side
910
17
1312
1814
11
1615
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 5  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 15 of 92
1
General information and controls
13BA
C
9
10
876
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering 
the brake system: 
 Do not turn the fitting on the  handlebar.
 Do not turn the handlebars 
in the clamping blocks.
6 Switch for heated handlebar 
grips
OE
A Heating off
B 50% (centre position)
C 100% 7
Starter button
8 Emergency ignition off (kill) 
switch (
b 58)
9 Turn-indicator cancel 
switch
Press
– Left/right indicators off
10 Right turn indicator switch
Press
– Turn indicators flash
To switch off:
 Press turn indicator cancel 
switch 9 
 Optional extra
Right handlebar fitting
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 13  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 23 of 92
2
21
2
Safety check
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
– Condition of wheels and 
tyres, tread depth and tyre 
pressures
– Load, gross weight  – Check at regular intervals as 
described in the following 
sections
(each time you stop for refuel-
ling):
– Engine oil level
(every second or third time 
you stop for refuelling):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems 
or difficulties, it is always best to 
contact your authorised BMW 
Motorrad dealer. 
He will provide the necessary 
advice and assistance.
Checklist
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 21  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 29 of 92
2
27
2
Safety check
4
1
A
Adjusting handbrake lever
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering 
the hydraulic circuit of the 
brake system: 
 Do not turn the fitting on the  handlebar.
 Do not turn the handlebars 
in the clamping blocks. Turn knob A to set the most 
comfortable span:
–Setting  1: minimum distance
–Setting  4: maximum distance
Handlebar levers
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 27  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 30 of 92
22
28
Safety check
Brake system - general
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all 
work on the brake systems 
carried out by a specialist 
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle 
dealer. 
Checking the brake 
system
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or 
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the 
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore, 
always check the resistance 
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the 
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if 
you have any doubts about 
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice 
of a specialist workshop, 
preferably an authorised 
BMW motorcycle dealer.
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 28  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 31 of 92
2
29
2
Safety check
Brake system - general
Checking brake pads
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced 
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness: 
have the work performed
by a specialist workshop, 
preferably an authorised 
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on 
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of 
the brakes: do not allow lining 
thickness to fall below minimum 
value (Maintenance Instructions b Chapter 2).
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 29  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11