Page 4 of 138

Table of ContentsYou can also consult the index at
the end of this Rider's Manual if
you want to find a particular topic
or item of information.
1 General instructions . . . . . 5
Overview ...................... 6
Abbreviations and symbols . . . . 6
Air Damping System.......... 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......... 14
Handlebar fitting, left......... 15
Handlebar fitting, right . . . . . . . . 16
Instrument cluster . . .......... 17
Headlight ..................... 18
3 Status indicators . . . . . . . 19
Status indicators............. 20
Standard warnings . .......... 20
ABS warnings
OE
............. 234 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ignition switch and steering
lock . . . . . ..................... 28
Multifunction display......... 28
Lights . . . ..................... 31
Turn indicators . .............. 32
Emergency off switch (kill
switch) . . ..................... 32
BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
...... 33
Mirrors . . ..................... 33
Pneumatic pump............. 34
Air pressure in the Air Damp-
ing System . . . . . .............. 34
Damping ..................... 38
Tyres . . . . ..................... 40
Headlight ..................... 41
Seat . . . . . ..................... 41
5 Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Safety instructions . .......... 44
Checklist ..................... 46
Starting . . ..................... 46
Running in . . . . . .............. 48
Riding off-road . .............. 49
Brakes . . ..................... 50Parking your motorcycle . . . . . 51
Refuelling.................... 52
6 Engineering details . . . . . 55
Brake system with BMW Mo-
torrad ABS
OE
................ 56
7 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
General instructions .......... 60
Power socketOE.............. 60
Luggage ..................... 61
8 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Notes........................ 64
Toolkit........................ 64
Engine oil.................... 65
Brake system . . .............. 67
Brake pads . . . . . .............. 68
Brake fluid.................... 69
Coolant . . ..................... 71
Clutch . . . ..................... 72
Tyres . . . . ..................... 73
Rims ......................... 73
Chain . . . . ..................... 73
Wheels . . ..................... 75
Page 13 of 138
General view, left side1Adjuster for damping char-
acteristic, front suspen-
sion (compression stage)
( 39)
2Air Damping System
( 34)
3Power socket
OE
( 60)
4Adjuster for damping char-
acteristic, rear suspension
( 40)
5Fore-and-aft tilt indicator
( 35)
6Coolant-level indicator
( 71)
211zGeneral views
Page 23 of 138
Warnings, overview
Meaning
Lights up Fuel down to reserve ( 22)
Lights up
Insufficient engine oil pressure ( 22)
Lights up
Coolant temperature too high ( 22)
321zStatus indicators
Page 24 of 138

Fuel down to reserve
Warning light for fuel down
to reserve lights up.
Lack of fuel can result in
the engine misfiring and
cutting out unexpectedly. Mis-
firing can damage the catalytic
converter; a hazardous situation
can result if the engine cuts out
unexpectedly.
Do not run the fuel tank dry.
Possible cause: The fuel tank
contains no more than the re-
serve quantity of fuel.
Reserve fuel
2l
Refuelling ( 52)Insufficient engine oil
pressure
Warning light for oil pres-
sure shows.
The oil pressure in the lube-oil
system is too low. Stop immedi-
ately and switch off the engine if
the warning light shows.
The insufficient oil pres-
sure warning does not fulfil
the function of an oil gauge. The
only way of checking whether
the oil level is correct is to check
with the oil dipstick.
Possible cause: Engine-oil level
too low.
Check the engine oil level
( 65)
If the oil level is too low:
Top up the engine oil ( 67)
If the engine oil level is correct:
Riding when engine-oil
pressure is low can result
in engine damage.Do not continue your journey.
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Coolant temperature too high
Warning light for coolant
temperature shows.
Continuing to ride when the
engine is overheated could
result in engine damage.
You must comply with the in-
structions below.
Possible cause: Coolant level too
low.
Check the coolant level ( 71)
If the coolant level is too low:
Topping up coolant ( 72)
Possible cause: Radiator fan de-
fective.
322zStatus indicators
Page 25 of 138
If the radiator fan does not start
even though the coolant-temper-
ature warning light shows:
Have the fault rectified as
quickly as possible by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Possible cause: Insufficient cool-
ing.
If possible, ride in the part-load
range to cool down the engine.
In traffic jams, switch off the
engine, but leave the ignition
switched on so that the radiat-
or fan continues to operate.
If the coolant temperature is
frequently too high, have the
fault rectified as soon as pos-
sible by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
ABS warnings
OE
Mode of presentation
ABS warnings are indicated by
ABS warning light1.
The detailed descriptions start on
page ( 56), and you will find
an overview listing the possible
warnings on the next page.
323zStatus indicators
Page 49 of 138

with OE BMW Motorrad ABS:
Switch on the ignition.
Pre-ride check is performed.
( 47)
ABS self-diagnosis is
performed. ( 48)
Wait until the warning light for
the coolant temperature stops
flashing.
The idle actuator is posi-
tioned after you switch on
the ignition. The coolant-tem-
perature warning light flashes
if the idle actuator has not cor-
rectly positioned before the pre-
ride check completes. In order
to avoid subsequent problems,
wait for this process to complete
before proceeding.Press starter button1.
If ambient temperatures are
very low, you might find it
necessary to open the throttle
slightly when starting the engine.
At ambient temperatures below
0 °C, disengage the clutch after
switching on the ignition.
If the engine fails to start
even though the starter
turns, insufficient battery voltage
might be causing the problem.
Recharge the battery before you
start the engine, or use jump
leads and a donor battery to
start.The engine starts.
Consult the troubleshooting
chart below if the engine re-
fuses to start. ( 108)
Pre-ride checkThe instrument cluster runs a
test of the instruments and the
warning lights and telltale lights
and the display when the igni-
tion is switched on. This test is
known as the "Pre-Ride-Check".
Phase 1
All the telltale and warning lights
are switched on briefly, along
with all the segments of the mul-
tifunction display.
Phase 2
The tyre parameters stored in
the memory of the instrument
cluster appear briefly on the dis-
play.
The instrument cluster then
reverts to its normal operating
mode.
547zRiding
Page 65 of 138
Maintenance
Maintenance
Notes................................ 64
Toolkit . . ............................. 64
Engine oil............................ 65
Brake system ........................ 67
Brake pads . . ........................ 68
Brake fluid........................... 69
Coolant . ............................. 71
Clutch . . ............................. 72
Tyres................................ 73
Rims................................. 73
Chain................................ 73
Wheels . ............................. 75
BMW Motorrad auxiliary stand....... 81
BMW Motorrad front-wheel
stand................................ 82Fuses . . .............................. 84
Bulbs . . .............................. 86
Air filter .............................. 92
Jump starting ........................ 95
Battery . .............................. 96
Number-plate carrier............... 100
863zMaintenance
Page 73 of 138
Brake fluid level, rear
DOT4 brake fluid
Do not permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark. (Brake-fluid reservoir
horizontal)
If the brake fluid level drops be-
low the permitted level:
Have the defect rectified as
quickly as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
CoolantChecking coolant levelMake sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
Read off the coolant level on
scale1on the coolant expan-
sion tank.Coolant, specified level
Between MIN and MAX
marks on the expansion tank
If the coolant level is too low:
Top up the coolant.
If the coolant level is too high:
Seek the advice of a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
871zMaintenance