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
Ignition switch and
steering lockKeysYou receive one master key and
one spare key.
Ignition switch and steering lock,
tank filler cap lock and seat lock
are all operated with the same
key.Switching on ignitionTurn the key to position1.
Side light and all function cir-
cuits switched on.
Engine can be started.Pre-ride check is performed.
( 47)
with OE BMW Motorrad ABS:
Turn the key to position1.
ABS self-diagnosis is
performed in addition to
the checks outlined above.
( 48)
Switching off ignitionTurn the key to position2.
Lights switched off.
Handlebars not locked.
Key can be removed.
Locking handlebarsTurn the handlebars all the way
to the left
Turn the key to position3,
while moving the handlebars
slightly.
Ignition, lights and all function
circuits switched off.
Handlebars locked.
Key can be removed.Multifunction displaySelecting readingsSwitch on the ignition.
428zOperation
motorcycle with the side stand
extended.
Slowly lean the motorcycle to
the side until its weight is taken
by the stand and dismount to
the left.
If the motorcycle is on the
side stand, the surface of
the ground will determine wheth-
er it is better to turn the handle-
bars to the left or right. However,
the motorcycle is more stable on
a level surface with the handle-
bars turned to the left than with
the handlebars turned to the
right.
On level ground, always turn the
handlebars to the left to set the
steering lock.
Turn the handlebars to full left
or right lock.
Check that the motorcycle is
standing firmly.On a gradient, the motor-
cycle should always face
uphill; select 1st gear.
Lock the steering lock.
Removing motorcycle
from side standUnlock the steering lock.
From the left, grip the handle-
bars with both hands.
Pull the handbrake lever.
Swing your right leg over the
seat and lift the motorcycle to
the upright position.
Hold the motorcycle upright
and balanced.
An extended side stand can
catch on the ground when
the motorcycle is moving and
lead to a fall.
Retract the side stand before
moving the motorcycle.
Sit on the motorcycle and use
your left foot to retract the side
stand.
Refuelling
Fuel is highly flammable. A
naked flame close to the
fuel tank can cause a fire or ex-
plosion.
Do not smoke. Never bring a
naked flame near the fuel tank.
Fuel expands when hot.
Fuel escaping from an
overfilled tank could make its way
onto the rear tyre. This could
cause a fall.
Do not fill the tank past the bot-
tom edge of the filler neck.
Fuel attacks plastics, which
become dull or unsightly.
Wipe off plastic parts immediately
if they come into contact with
fuel.
Leaded fuel will destroy the
catalytic converter.
Use only unleaded fuel.
552zRiding
Status indicators
Overview, 20
Steering lock, 27
Locking, 28
T
Technical data
Battery, 117
Brakes, 114
Bulbs, 118
Clutch, 112
Dimensions, 119
Electrics, 117
Engine, 110
Engine oil, 111
Frame, 118
Fuel, 4, 111
Rear-wheel drive, 113
Running gear, 113
Spark plugs, 117
Standards, 7
Transmission, 112
Tyres, 115
Weights, 119
Wheels, 115Telltale lights, 17
Overview, 20
Toolkit, 14, 64
Torques, 109
Transmission
Technical data, 112
Troubleshooting chart, 108
Turn indicators
Operate, 15, 32
Replacing bulb, 90
Telltale light, 20
Tyres
BMW recommendations, 75,
115
Checking tread depth, 73
Checking tyre pressures, 40
Running in, 49
Technical data, 115
W
Warnings
Overview, 20
Warnings, overview, 21, 24
Weights, 119Wheels
Checking rims, 73
Removing and installing front
wheel, 75
Removing and installing rear
wheel, 78
Technical data, 115, 116
12134zIndex
