Page 4 of 172

Table of ContentsYou can also consult the in-
dex at the end of this Rider's
Manual if you want to find a
particular topic or item of in-
formation.
1 General instructions . . . 5
Overview . ................ 6
Abbreviations and
symbols . . . ............... 6
Equipment ............... 7
Technical data ........... 7
Currency . . ............... 7
2 General views . . . . . .... 9
General view, left side . . . 11
General view, right
side ..................... 13
Underneath the seat . . . . . 15
Handlebar fitting, left . . . . . 16
Handlebar fitting, right . . . 17
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . 18
Headlight . .............. 19 3 Status indicators . . . . . 21
Multifunction display . . . . . 22
Warning and telltale
lights . . . . .
.............. 23
ABS warning light . . . . . . . 23
Telltale light, cruise
control
OE
................ 23
Function indicators . . . . . . 23
Warnings, general . . . . . . . 24
Warnings issued by the
tyre pressure monitoring
system (RDC)
OE
......... 32
ABS warnings . .......... 36
ASC warnings
OE
......... 38
4 Operation . . . .......... 41
Ignition switch and
steering lock . . .......... 43
Electronic immobiliser . . . 44
Hazard warning
flashers . . . .............. 45
Odometer and
tripmeters . .............. 46
Multifunction display . . . . . 47 Clock . . . . .
.............. 47
Tyre pressure control
RDC
OE
.................. 48
Residual range .......... 49
On-board computer
OE
... 49
Cruise-control
system
OE
............... 53
Emergency off switch (kill
switch) . . . . .............. 55
Grip heatingOE
........... 56
Seat heatingOE
.......... 57
Clutch . . . . .............. 58
Brakes . . . . .............. 59
Handlebars .............. 59
Lights . . . . . .............. 60
Headlight . .............. 61
Turn indicators .......... 62
Stowage compartment . . . 63
Automatic Stability Control
ASC
OE
.................. 64
Front and rear seats . . . . . 65
Helmet holder . .......... 68
Mirrors . . . . .............. 68
Windscreen . . . .......... 69
Page 15 of 172
General view, right
side1Filler neck, fuel ( 83)
2 Adjustable handlebars
( 59)
3 Brake-fluid reservoir,
front ( 107)
4 Adjuster for headlight
beam throw underneath
the instrument cluster
( 61)
5 Stowage compartment
( 63)
6 Vehicle identification
number
213zGeneral views
Page 25 of 172
Warning and telltale
lights1Telltale light, left turn in-
dicator
2 Telltale light, high-beam
headlight
3 Telltale light, neutral
4 ABS warning light
5 Telltale light, right turn
indicator
6 Warning and telltale light,
ASC (OE)
7 Warning light, general
8 Brake-pad wear indicator
ABS warning lightThe way in which the ABS
warning light indicates status
can differ in some countries.
Possible national variant.Telltale light, cruise
control
OE
1 Telltale light, cruise con-
trol
Function indicatorsFuel capacity
The column below the
fuel-pump symbol indic-
ates the remaining quantity of
fuel.
Gear
Shows which gear is en-
gaged.
If no gear is engaged, the
gear indicator shows N and
the 'neutral' telltale light also
lights up.
Coolant temperature
The column below the
temperature symbol in-
dicates the coolant temperat-
ure.
ASC intervention (OE)
ASC warning light quick-
flashes.
The ASC has detected a de-
323zStatus indicators
Page 27 of 172
Warnings, overview
Mode of presentation Meaning
Lights up yellowThe
EWS
warning
appears on the
display. Electronic immobiliser active ( 27)
Lights up yellow Flashes Fuel down to reserve ( 27)
Lights up red Temperature reading flashesCoolant temperature too high
( 27)
Lights up yellow Appears on the displayEngine electronics ( 28)
Flashes red Appears on the displayInsufficient engine oil pressure
( 28)
Shows accom-
panied by the
Oil
warning Engine-oil level too low ( 29)
Lights up red Appears on the displayInsufficient battery charge current
( 29)
Lights up Brake pads worn down to the wear
limit ( 30)
Lights up yellow Appears on the
display Rear light bulb defective ( 30)
325zStatus indicators
Page 32 of 172

however, that the engine
could cut out suddenly
and that the battery could
discharge until completely
flat, in which case it might
have suffered irreparable
damage.
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Brake pads worn down to
the wear limit Warning light for brake-
pad wear shows
The electric brake-pad wear
detector has registered that
the brake pads of the front or
rear brakes have worn down
to the acceptable limit. Checking brake-pad thick-
ness, front brakes ( 105) Checking brake pad thick-
ness, rear brakes ( 106)
Have worn brake pads re-
placed by a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
Rear light bulb defective General warning light
lights up yellow.
Defective bulb symbol
with arrow pointing to
the rear appears on the dis-
play.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk be-
cause it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always
carry a complete set of spare
bulbs if possible. Rear light or brake light bulb
defective.
Replacing brake-light, rear
light and rear-indicator
bulbs ( 123)
Front light bulb defective Defective bulb symbol
with arrow pointing to
the front appears on the dis-
play.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk be-
cause it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always
carry a complete set of spare
bulbs if possible.
Low-beam headlight, high-
beam headlight, side-light or
turn-indicator bulb defective.
330zStatus indicators
Page 43 of 172

Operation
Ignition switch and steering
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . 44
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . . . 45
Odometer and tripmeters . . . . . . 46
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Tyre pressure control RDC
OE
.. 48
Residual range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
On-board computer
OE
......... 49
Cruise-control systemOE
....... 53
Emergency off switch (kill
switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Grip heating
OE
................ 56
Seat heating
OE
................ 57
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Stowage compartment . . . . . . . . 63
Automatic Stability Control
ASC
OE
........................ 64
Front and rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Helmet holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Shock absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Electronic Suspension
Adjustment ESA
OE
............ 71
441zOperation
Page 80 of 172

ponents are not designed to
withstand. Damage caused in
this way is not covered by the
warranty.
Do not tamper with the
control unit of the electronic
engine-management
system.ChecklistUse the following checklist
to check important functions,
settings and wear limits be-
fore you ride off.Brakes
Brake-fluid levels, front and
rear
Clutch
Clutch fluid level
Shock absorber setting and
spring preload
Tyre-tread depth and tyre
pressures Cases correctly installed
and luggage secured
At regular intervals: Engine oil level (every refuel-
ling stop)
StartingSide standYou cannot start the motor-
cycle with the side stand ex-
tended and a gear engaged.
The engine will switch itself off
if you start it with the gearbox
in neutral and then engage a
gear before retracting the side
stand.GearboxYou can start the engine
when the gearbox is in neutral
or if you pull the clutch with
a gear engaged. Do not pull
the clutch until after you have
switched on the ignition, as
otherwise the engine will refuse to start. When the
gearbox is in neutral, the
green neutral telltale light is
on and the gear indicator
in the multifunction display
shows N.
Start the engineKill switch
1in run posi-
tion A.
Switch on the ignition.
Pre-ride check is
performed. ( 79)
ABS self-diagnosis is per-
formed. ( 80)
578zRiding
Page 83 of 172

ASC warning light slow-
flashes.
Phase 2 Test of the diagnosis-
compatible system
components while the
motorcycle is on the move. ASC warning light slow-
flashes.
ASC self-diagnosis
completed The ASC warning light goes
out.
If an indicator showing an
ASC fault appears when ASC
self-diagnosis completes:
You can continue to ride.
Bear in mind that the ASC
function is not available.
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, prefer- ably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Running inThe first 1000 kmWhile running in the mo-
torcycle, vary the throttle
opening and engine-speed
range frequently.
Try to do most of your rid-
ing during this initial period
on twisting, fairly hilly roads,
avoiding high-speed main
roads and highways if pos-
sible.
Exceeding the specified
engine speeds while run-
ning in will lead to increased
engine wear.
Keep to the specified engine
speeds for running in.
Do not exceed the rpm lim-
its recommended for run-
ning in. Running-in speed
<7000 min
-1
No full-load acceleration.
Avoid low engine speeds at
full load.
Do not omit the first inspec-
tion after 500 - 1200 km.Brake padsNew brake pads must "bed
down" and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 500 km.
You can compensate for this
initial reduction in braking ef-
ficiency by exerting greater
pressure on the levers. New brake pads can ex-
tend stopping distance
by a significant margin.
Apply the brakes in good
time.
581zRiding