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 6 of 92
1
General information and controls
4
1Reservoir for clutch fluid
(
b 37)
2 Engine oil filler (
b 23)
3 Rear spring strut,
spring preload (
b 42)
4 Rear spring strut,
shock absorber adjustment
(
b 41) 5
Power socket, 12 V
OA
Provision for connecting
additional equipment – max.
load 5 A
6 Primary spark plug, left
7 Secondary spark plug*, left
8 Oil level sight glass, engine
(
b 23)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number with explanation
OAOptional accessories
*Only R1150R
General view, left side
132
54867
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Page 9 of 92
1
General information and controls
7
1Telltale light, left turn indica-
tor repeater green
s
2 Warning light, fuel level/
when approx. 5 litres
(1.1 Imp.gal) remain in tank
orange
m (b 25, 62)
3 Telltale light, neutral
green
k (b 59)
4 Telltale light, high (main)
beam blue
q
5 Telltale light, right turn indi-
cator repeater green
t
Optional extra
6Warning light, battery
charge current red
r
(b 63)
7 Warning light, ABS red
lOE (b 63)
8 Warning light, general red
e (b 63)
9 Warning light, engine oil
pressure red
p (b 62)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number with explanation
* depending on national-market speci- fication
Telltale and warning lights
12435
9
8
6
7*
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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
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Page 24 of 92

22
22
Safety check
Engine oil
Checking oil levelCheck oil level regularly each
time you stop to refuel.
Only check the engine oil when
the engine is at normal operat-
ing temperature as the oil level
can vary by up to 10 mm
in a hot engine or a cold engine
at extreme outside tempera-
tures (-10 °C).
Wait at least five minutes after
switching off the hot engine for
the oil to collect in the sump.Checking the oil level after the
engine has only been used for a
short time or is only just warm
could lead to wrong interpretati-
ons and thereby to an incorrect
oil fill because the cold, more
viscous oil takes longer to flow
back into the sump. This can
take up to 12 hours at extreme
temperatures (-10 °C).
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– Never exceed the maximum
oil level.
– Always keep the oil level above the minimum mark.
Always check the oil level with
the motorcycle standing up-
right.
Check the oil when the engine is at normal operating tem-
perature
Read the oil level at least five minutes after switching off the
engine
Make sure that the motorcy-
cle is upright
– ensure that the surface is
level and firm!
10r2802g3.fm Seite 22 Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004 11:29 11
Page 25 of 92
2
23
2
Safety check
MAXMIN1
2
Check oil level at sight glass: MAX Upper edge
Ring marking
MIN Lower edge
Ring marking
– The difference between the two marks is approx. 0.5 litres
If necessary, unscrew the oil filler screw 2 and top up the
engine oil through the engine
oil filler 1
Then retighten the oil filler
screw 2
e Attention:
Warning light, engine oil pres-
sure red
p (b 7) indicates no
(or very little) oil pressure in
the lube-oil system; this light
m u s t n o t b e r e g a r d e d a s a n o i l
level check. Oil pressure
builds up after 1-2 seconds
and the warning light goes out
– the redengine oil pressure
warning light
p should remain
off while the engine is running.
Engine oil
BMW recommends Castrol
10r2802g3.fm Seite 23 Donnerstag, 3. Juni 2004 11:29 11
Page 64 of 92
33
62
Starting – Riding – Parking
1234*
5
Fuel levelWhen the warning light1
comes on, there are still
approx. 5 litres of fuel in the
tank.
Engine oil pressureWarning light 2 goes out above
idle speed.
* depending on national-market speci-
fication
e Attention:
If warning light 2 comes on dur-
ing the journey, take the follow-
ing action as soon as traffic
conditions permit:
Declutch
Operate the kill switch
Bring the motorcycle safely to a halt
Check engine oil level (
b 22)
If the warning light comes on
even though the oil level is cor-
rect, you must consult a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Telltale and warning lights
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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