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 40 of 92

22
38
Safety checkChecking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each jour-
ney.
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes 
at twice the usual speed: defec-
tive flasher bulb.
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 7):
Check brake light or tail light.
If the tail light is defective the 
brake light is dimmed and acts 
as a tail light. When you apply the 
brakes the brake light shines at 
full brightness. To change bulbs in parking 
lights, headlight (dipped and 
main beams), rear/brake lights, 
turn indicators and the number-
plate light: (
b 
Maintenance 
Instructions, Chapter 2)
Masking off headlightIf the motorcycle is ridden in a 
country where the opposite rule 
of the road applies, its asym-
metric dipped beam will tend to 
dazzle oncoming traffic.
To prevent this, mask over part 
of the headlight glass (apply a 
piece of adhesive tape cut to 
the correct size and shape).
OEOptional extra
Lights
10r2802g3.fm  Seite 38  Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004  11:29 11 
     
        
        Page 50 of 92

33
48
Starting – Riding – Parking
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 covered 
1,000 kilometres, the engine is 
not yet fully run in.
e Attention:
BMW Integral ABSOE incorpo-
rates a brake booster, so brak-
ing efficiency is significantly 
higher than with conventional 
brake systems.
d Warning:
The tyres need to cover a 
certain distance before they 
acquire their full road grip 
(b 57).
When riding at high speed, 
a l w a y s  b e a r  i n  m i n d  t h a t  v a r i o u s  
boundary conditions such as: 
settings of the spring and 
shock-absorber system, unbal-
anced loading, loose clothing, 
low tyre pressures, worn tyres, 
etc., can affect the handling of 
your motorcycle.
OEOptional extra
Your first journey
10r2803g3.fm  Seite 48  Mittwoch, 30. Juni 2004  4:07 16 
     
        
        Page 52 of 92

33
50
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with 
BMW Integral ABS (
b 68)
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched 
off or if the BMW Integral ABS 
fails, only a “RESIDUAL 
BRAKING FUNCTION” is 
available (
b 71). 
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. 
 Optional extra
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon 
monoxide, which is colourless 
and odourless but highly toxic. 
d 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.
Risk of fatal accidentYour motorcycle is equipped 
with Digital Motor Electronics 
(Motronic) and high-power 
ignition system.
d 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.
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 50  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 59 of 92
3
57
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
Running in
Running in new brake 
pads
d Warning:
New brake pads must “bed 
down” and therefore do not 
achieve their optimum friction 
levels during the first 500 km.
This slight initial reduction in 
braking efficiency can be 
compensated for by exerting 
greater pressure on the lever. 
Try to avoid all unnecessary 
hard braking during this initial 
period.
e Attention:
Comply with the notes on BMW 
Integral ABSOE (b 68-75).
Running in new tyres
d Warning:
New 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 running in procedure is 
essential if the tyres are to 
achieve maximum grip.
 Optional extra
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 57  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 65 of 92
3
63
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
1234*
5
Warning light, general General warning light 3 lights 
up if the BMW Integral ABSOE 
develops a fault (
b 75), or if the 
tail light or brake light is defec-
tive.
ABS warning lightOE
The ABS warning light  4 lights 
up if the BMW Integral ABS 
develops a fault (
b 75)
* depending on national-market speci-
fication
Battery charge currentWarning light 5 goes out above 
idle speed.
e Attention:
If warning light 5  comes on dur-
ing the journey:
Consult a specialist, preferably 
an authorised BMW motorcycle 
dealer.
 Optional extra
Telltale and warning lights
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 63  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 68 of 92
33
66
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - general
Wet bra kesAfter the motorcycle has been 
washed, ridden through water 
or ridden in the rain, the brake 
discs and pads may be wet (or 
iced-over in winter), and may 
not take effect immediately.
d Warning:
The brakes have to dry before 
they start to bite.
Salt on brakesThe full breaking effect can be 
delayed if the motorcycle is rid-
den on salt-covered roads and 
the brakes are not applied for 
some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake 
discs and pads must first be 
worn away.
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 66  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        Page 69 of 92
3
67
3
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - general
Oil and grease on brakes
d Warning:
Brake discs and pads must be 
free from oil or grease.
Dirt or mud on brakesWhen riding on loose surfaces 
or muddy roads, the brakes 
may fail to take effect immedi-
ately because of dirt or mois-
ture on the discs or brake pads.
d Warning:
The brakes must first be 
applied until the discs and 
pads are clean.
Dirt on the brakes increases 
the rate of pad wear.
d Warning:
If the brake lever can be moved 
right to the limit of its travel, this 
indicates a mechanical or hy-
draulic fault. The brake system is 
defective. 
Immediately consult a specialist 
workshop, preferably an autho-
rised BMW motorcycle dealer. 
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 67  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17