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
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 4  Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004  5:26 17 
     
        
        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*
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 7  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 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
10r28bkg3.book  Seite 62  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