Page 39 of 132
When you choose a soft setting
the spring strut responds all the
more rapidly to surface irregularit-
ies.Adjusting damping for
rear wheelMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.There is a risk of injury
by burns if you adjust the
damping characteristic while the
silencer is hot.
Use a screwdriver extension and
wear protective gloves. Adjust damping by turning
nut
1.
If you want to increase damp-
ing, turn nut 1in direction A.
If you want to reduce damping,
turn nut 1in direction B.
Rebound stage, basic
setting, rear
Turn the bottom knob as
far as it will go in the A dir-
ection, then back it off 13
clicks in the B direction. (Full
load of fuel, with rider 85 kg)
TyresChecking tyre pressuresMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Incorrect tyre pressures im-
pair the motorcycle's hand-
ling characteristics and increase
the rate of tyre wear.
Always check that the tyre pres-
sures are correct.
At high road speeds, tyre
valves have a tendency to
open as a result of centrifugal
force.
Fit metal valve caps with rubber
seals and screw them on firmly
to prevent sudden deflation.
Check tyre pressures against
the data below.
Tyre pressure, front
1.8 bar (one-up, tyre cold)
437zOperation
Page 45 of 132
Catalytic converterIf misfiring causes unburned fuel
to enter the catalytic converter,
there is a danger of overheating
and damage.
For this reason, observe the fol-
lowing points:Do not run the fuel tank dry.
Do not attempt to start or run
the engine with a spark-plug
cap disconnected.
Stop the engine immediately if
it misfires.
Use only unleaded fuel.
Comply with all specified main-
tenance intervals.
Unburned fuel will destroy
the catalytic converter.
Note the points listed for protec-
tion of the catalytic converter.
Risk of fireTemperatures at the exhaust are
high.
Flammable materials (e.g.
hay, leaves, grass, clothing
and luggage, etc.) could ignite
if allowed to come into contact
with the hot exhaust pipe.
Do not permit flammable materi-
als to come into contact with the
hot exhaust system.
Cooling would be
inadequate if the engine
were allowed to idle for a lengthy
period with the motorcycle at
a standstill: overheating would
result. In extreme cases, the
motorcycle could catch fire.
Do not allow the engine to idle
unnecessarily. Ride away imme-
diately after starting the engine.
Tampering with the
control unit of the
electronic engine-
management system
Tampering with the engine
control unit can damage
the motorcycle and cause acci-
dents.
Do not tamper with the engine
control unit.
Tampering with the engine
control unit can result in
mechanical loads that the mo-
torcycle's components are not
designed to withstand. Damage
caused in this way is not covered
by the warranty.
Do not tamper with the engine
control unit.
543zRiding
Page 52 of 132
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. Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.
Open fuel tank cap
1with
the ignition key by turning it
counter-clockwise.
Remove the fuel tank cap.
Refuel with fuel of the grade
stated below; do not fill the
tank past the bottom edge of
the filler neck. Recommended fuel
grade
95 ROZ/RON (Super un-
leaded) Usable fuel capacity
9.5 l Reserve fuel
2l
Place the fuel tank cap in posi-
tion in the filler neck.
Close the fuel tank cap with
the ignition key by turning it
clockwise.
550zRiding
Page 108 of 132
FuelRecommended fuel grade95 ROZ/RON, Super unleaded
Usable fuel capacity 9.5 l
Reserve fuel 2 lEngine oilEngine oil, capacity2.3 l, with filter change
Lubricant Engine oil, 15W-40
Engine oil, quantity for topping up 0.25 l, Difference between MIN and MAX
Lubricant Engine oil, 15W-40
Oil grades Mineral engine oils of API classification SF to SH.
BMW Motorrad recommends not using oil addit-
ives, because they can have a detrimental effect
on clutch operation. BMW Motorrad recommends
not using synthetic oils for the first 10,000 km.
Please do not hesitate to contact your authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer if you have any questions
relating the choice of a suitable engine oil for your
motorcycle.
10106zTechnical data
Page 132 of 132
Important data for refuellingFuel
Recommended fuel grade95 ROZ/RON, Super unleaded
Usable fuel capacity 9.5 l
Reserve fuel 2l
Tyre pressures
Tyre pressure, front 1.8 bar, one-up, tyre cold
1.9 bar, two-up and/or with lug-
gage, tyre cold
Tyre pressure, rear 2 bar, one-up, tyre cold
2 bar, two-up and/or with luggage,
tyre cold
BMW recommends
Order No. 01 41 7 712 211
07.2007, 3rd edition
*01417712211*
*01417712211*
*01417712211*
