Safety instructionsRider's equipmentDo not ride without the correct
clothing. Always wear:Helmet
Motorcycling jacket and
trousers
Gloves
Boots
This applies even to short jour-
neys, and to every season of the
year. Your authorised BMW Mo-
torrad dealer will be glad to ad-
vise you on the correct clothing
for every purpose.SpeedIf you ride at high speed, always
bear in mind that various bound-
ary conditions can adversely af-
fect the handling of your motor-
cycle: Settings of the spring-strut and
shock-absorber system
Imbalanced load
Loose clothing
Insufficient tyre pressure
Poor tyre tread
Etc.
Correct loading
Overloading and imbal-
anced loads can adversely
affect the motorcycle's handling.
Do not exceed the permissible
gross weight and be sure to
comply with the instructions on
loading.
Alcohol and drugs
Even small amounts of
alcohol or drugs will ad-
versely affect your perception
and your ability to assess situ-
ations and make decisions, and
slow down your reflexes. Med-
ication can exacerbate these ef-
fects. Do not ride your motorcycle after
consuming alcohol, drugs and/or
medication.
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a
health hazard and can even
cause loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
Do not run the engine in an en-
closed space.High voltage
Touching live parts of the
ignition system with the
engine running can cause electric
shock.
Do not touch parts of the igni-
tion system when the engine is
running.
542zRiding
Adjusting clutch-lever
playPush back boot1.
Slacken locknut 2.
Set clutch-lever play to spe-
cification by turning adjusting
screw 3.
Turning clockwise: increases
play.
Turning counter-clockwise: re-
duces play.
Check the clutch-lever play
( 68)
Tighten locknut 2.
Pull boot 1back over the ad-
justing screw.
TyresMeasuring tread depth of
tyresMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Measure the tyre tread depth
in the main tread grooves with
wear marks.
Tyres have wear indicators
integrated into the main
tread grooves. The tyre is worn
out when the tyre tread has worn
down to the level of the marks.
The locations of the marks are
indicated on the edge of the tyre,
e.g. by the letters TI, TWI or by
an arrow.
If the tyre tread no longer com-
plies with the minimum legally
required tread depth:
Replace tyre.
RimsChecking rimsMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Visually inspect the rims for
defects.
Have damaged rims checked
and, if necessary, replaced by a
specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.ChainLubricating chainSwitch the ignition off and se-
lect neutral.
Dirt, dust and inadequate
lubrication will result in ac-
celerated wear and significantly
shorten the drive chain's useful
life.
Clean and lubricate the drive
chain at regular intervals.
869zMaintenance
