Page 85 of 168

ing force accordingly to achieve
optimum braking.What feedback does the
rider receive from the
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS?If the ABS system has to reduce
braking force on account of the
circumstances described above,
vibration is perceptible through
the handbrake lever.
When the handbrake lever is
pulled, brake pressure is also
built up at the rear wheel by
the integral function. If the
brake pedal is depressed after
the handbrake lever is pulled,
the brake pressure built up
beforehand is perceptible as
counter-pressure sooner than is
the case when the brake pedal is
depressed either before or at the
same time as the brake lever is
pulled.
Rear wheel liftEven under severe braking, a
high level of tyre grip can mean
that the front wheel does not
lock up until very late, if at all.
Consequently, ABS does not in-
tervene until very late, if at all.
Under these circumstances the
rear wheel can lift off the ground,
and the outcome can be a high-
siding situation in which the mo-
torcycle can flip over.Severe braking can cause
the rear wheel to lift off the
ground.
When you brake, bear in mind
that ABS control cannot be relied
on in all circumstances to prevent
the rear wheel from lifting clear of
the ground.
What is the design
baseline for BMW
Motorrad Integral ABS?Within the limits imposed by
physics, the BMW Motorrad In-
tegral ABS ensures directional
stability on any surface. The sys-
tem is not optimised for special
requirements that apply under
extreme competitive situations
off-road or on the track.Special situationsThe speeds of the front and rear
wheels are compared as one
means of detecting a wheel's
incipient tendency to lock. If the
system registers implausible val-
ues for a lengthy period the ABS
function is deactivated for safety
reasons and an ABS fault mes-
sage is issued. Self-diagnos-
is has to complete before fault
messages can be issued.
In addition to problems with the
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS,
683zEngineering details
Page 86 of 168

exceptional riding conditions can
lead to a fault message being
issued.
Exceptional riding
conditions:Heating up with the motorcycle
on the centre stand or an auxil-
iary stand, engine idling or with
a gear engaged.
Rear wheel locked by the en-
gine brake for a lengthy period,
for example while descending
off-road.
If a fault message is issued on
account of exceptional riding
conditions as outlined above, you
can reactivate the ABS function
by switching the ignition off and
on again.
What significance
devolves on regular
maintenance?
Invariably, a technical sys-
tem cannot perform beyond
the abilities dictated by its level
of maintenance.
In order to ensure that the BMW
Motorrad ABS is always main-
tained in optimum condition, it
is essential for you to comply
strictly with the specified inspec-
tion intervals.
Reserves for safetyThe potentially shorter braking
distances which BMW Motorrad
Integral ABS permits must not be
used as an excuse for careless
riding. ABS is primarily a means
of ensuring a safety margin in
genuine emergencies.
Take care when cornering. When
you apply the brakes on a corner,
the motorcycle's weight and momentum take over and even
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS is
unable to counteract their effects.
Electronic engine
management with BMW
Motorrad ASC
OE
How does ASC work?The BMW Motorrad ASC com-
pares the speed of rotation of the
front wheel and the rear wheel.
The differential is used to com-
pute slip as a measure of the
reserves of stability available at
the rear wheel. If slip exceeds a
certain limit the electronic engine
management system intervenes,
adapting engine torque accord-
ingly.
684zEngineering details
Page 87 of 168

What is the design
baseline for BMW
Motorrad ASC?BMW Motorrad ASC is designed
as an assistant system for the
rider and for use on public roads.
The extent to which the rider af-
fects ASC control can be consid-
erable (weight shifts when cor-
nering, items of luggage loose
on the motorcycle), especially
when style of riding takes rider
and machine close to the limits
imposed by physics. The system
is not optimised for special re-
quirements that apply under ex-
treme competitive situations off-
road or on the track. You have
the option of deactivating the
BMW Motorrad ASC system for
these circumstances.Even ASC is constrained by
the laws of physics. Invari-
ably, the rider bears responsibil-
ity for assessing road and traffic conditions and adopting his or
her style of riding accordingly.
Do not take risks that would neg-
ate the additional safety offered
by this system.
Special situationsIn accordance with the laws of
physics, the ability to accelerate
is restricted more and more as
the angle of heel increases. Con-
sequently, there can be a per-
ceptible lag in acceleration out of
very tight bends.
The speeds of the front and
rear wheels are compared as
one means of detecting the rear
wheel's incipient tendency to
spin or slip sideways. If the sys-
tem registers implausible values
for a lengthy period the ASC
function is deactivated for safety
reasons and an ASC fault mes-
sage is issued. Self-diagnos-
is has to complete before fault
messages can be issued.
The BMW Motorrad ASC can
shut down automatically under
the exceptional riding conditions
outlined below.
Exceptional riding
conditions:
Riding for a lengthy period with
the front wheel lifted off the
ground (wheelie) and ASC de-
activated.
Rear wheel rotating with the
motorcycle held stationary by
applying the front brake (burn-
out).
Heating up with the motorcycle
on the centre stand or an auxil-
iary stand, engine idling or with
a gear engaged.
Accelerating the motorcycle to
a speed in excess of 10 km/h
after switching the ignition off
and then on again reactivates the
ASC.
685zEngineering details
Page 99 of 168
Maintenance
Maintenance
General instructions.................. 98
Toolkit ............................... 98
Engine oil ............................ 99
Brake system, general . . . .......... 101
Brake pads . . . ..................... 102
Brake fluid ......................... 103
Clutch ............................. 105
Tyres .............................. 106
Rims ............................... 107
Wheels ............................ 107
Front-wheel stand ................. 115
Rear-wheel stand .................. 116
Bulbs .............................. 118
Jump starting . ..................... 125
Battery ............................. 126
897zMaintenance
Page 103 of 168

Install cap of oil filler neck1
and turn it clockwise to close.
Install the seat ( 67)Draining engine oilRemove the seat ( 66)
Damage to the engine
can result if it is operated
without enough oil, but the same
also applies if the oil level is too
high.
Always make sure that the oil
level is correct.
Squeeze the retainer of trans-
parent tube 2together on left and right and pull the tube up
and out of the oil tank.
Pull the transparent tube down
out of the frame and drain the
engine oil into a suitable con-
tainer until the level is to spe-
cification.
Insert the transparent tube into
the oil tank and engage the
retainer.
Store or dispose of the excess
engine oil in an environmentally
compatible manner.
Install the seat ( 67)
Brake system, generalReliabilityA fully functional brake system is
a basic requirement for the road
safety of your motorcycle.
Do not ride the motorcycle if you
have any doubts about the de-
pendability of the brake system.
Under these circumstances have
the brake system checked by a specialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Incorrect working practices
endanger the reliability of
the brakes.
Have all work on the brake sys-
tem performed by a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
Checking operation of
brakesPull the handbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
Press the footbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
8101zMaintenance
Page 104 of 168
Brake padsChecking front brake pad
thickness
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness can cause
a reduction in braking efficiency
and under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to the
brake system.
In order to ensure the dependab-
ility of the brake system, do not
permit the brake pads to wear
past the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Visually inspect the left and
right brake pads to ascertain
their thickness.
Brake-pad wear limit,
front
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
The wear indicators
(grooves) must be clearly
visible.
If the wear indicating mark is no
longer clearly visible: Have the brake pads replaced
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
8102zMaintenance
Page 105 of 168

Checking rear brake pad
thickness
Brake pads worn past
the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness can cause
a reduction in braking efficiency
and under certain circumstances
they can cause damage to the
brake system.
In order to ensure the dependab-
ility of the brake system, do not
permit the brake pads to wear
past the minimum permissible
brake-pad thickness.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Visually inspect the brake pads
from the right to ascertain their
thickness.
Brake-pad wear limit, rear
min 1 mm (Friction pad only,
without backing plate)
Make sure that the brake
disc is not visible through
the bore in the inboard brake
block.
If the brake disc is visible: Have the brake pads replaced
by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Brake fluidChecking brake-fluid
level, front brakes
A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can allow air
to penetrate the brake system.
This significantly reduces braking
efficiency.
Check the brake-fluid level at
regular intervals.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
with OA Centre stand:
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its centre stand.
Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position.
8103zMaintenance
Page 106 of 168
Check the brake fluid level in
front reservoir1.
The brake fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir drops
as the brake pads wear. Brake fluid level, front
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.
Checking brake-fluid
level, rear brakes
A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can allow air
to penetrate the brake system.
This significantly reduces braking
efficiency.
Check the brake-fluid level at
regular intervals.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and hold the motor-
cycle upright.
with OA Centre stand:
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its centre stand.
8104zMaintenance