2007 BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 R Rider's Manual (in English)

The damping characteristic is
shown in panel1of the multi-
function display, and spring pre-
load in panel 2. The odometer
readings are not shown while
the ESA readout is active. Three
spring preload settings can each
be combined with three damping
characteristics to fine-tune the
motorcycle's suspension.Adjuster, spring preloadThe ESA control unit is protected
by an overload cutout designed
to stop the spring-preload ad-
justment process if current con-
sumption reaches an unaccept- ably high level. Please note that
a combination of low ambient
temperature and a high payload
tends to increase the possibility
of elevated current consumption,
and under these circumstances
adjustment might be interrupted
by the overload cutout.
If the motorcycle is to be used
for two-up riding and ambient
temperature is below 0 °C, BMW
Motorrad recommends adjusting
the suspension to the setting for
two-up riding and allowing ad-
justment to complete before your
passenger mounts the motor-
cycle. Similarly, BMW Motorrad
recommends relieving the weight
on the motorcycle when you are
going to adjust over a long range
of travel (adjusting from "one-up"
to "two-up with luggage").
The ESA indicator continues to
flash until adjustment completes.
If adjustment is interrupted the
process resumes as soon as
current consumption drops be-
low the defined threshold, for
example when the above-men-
tioned measures are adopted.
Calling up settingsSwitch on the ignition.
Press button
1.
The current setting is
displayed.
The reading remains visible for
a few seconds before disap-
pearing automatically.
463zOperation

Adjusting suspension
dampingSwitch on the ignition.You can adjust the damp-
ing characteristic while the
motorcycle is on the move.
Press button 1.
The current setting is
displayed.
Press button 1once at each
step.
The display field starts at the
current status and cycles through
the following sequence:
COMF
: Comfortable damping
characteristic
NORM
: Normal damping char-
acteristic
SPORT
: Sporty damping
characteristic
The setting shown on the dis-
play is automatically accepted
as the damping characteristic
if you allow a certain length of
time to pass without making
further changes.
Adjusting spring preloadStart the engine.
You cannot adjust spring
preload while the motor-
cycle is on the move. Press button
1.
The current setting is
displayed.
Press and hold down button 1
until the reading changes.
The display field starts at the
current status and cycles through
the following sequence: One-up
One-up with luggage
Two-up (with luggage)
464zOperation

The settings shown on the
display are automatically ac-
cepted as the spring preload
and, if applicable, the damp-
ing characteristic if you allow a
certain length of time to pass
without pressing making further
changes. The reading flashes
while spring preload adjustment
is in progress.
Wait until adjustment com-
pletes (reading stops flashing)
before pulling away.TyresChecking tyre pressureMake 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 that tyre pressures are
correct as per the data below.
Tyre pressure, front
2.5 bar (one-up, tyre cold)
2.5 bar (two-up and/or with
luggage, tyre cold) Tyre pressure, rear
2.9 bar (one-up, tyre cold)
2.9 bar (two-up and/or with
luggage, tyre cold) If tyre pressure is too low:
Correct tyre pressure.
HeadlightAdjusting headlight for
driving on left/driving on
rightIf the motorcycle is ridden in a
country where the opposite rule
of the road applies, its asymmet-
ric low-beam headlight will tend
to dazzle oncoming traffic.
Have the headlight set accord-
ingly by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Commercially available ad-
hesive tape will damage the
plastic lens of the light.
Consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer, in order to avoid
damaging the plastic lens of the
light.
465zOperation

Headlight beam throw and
spring preloadHeadlight beam throw is kept
constant when spring preload is
adjusted to suit load.Consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW Motorrad deal-
er, if you are unsure whether
the headlight basic setting is
correct.SeatRemoving seatMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Turn the key counter-clockwise
in the seat lock.
Press the seat down at the
same time.Lift the rear of the seat.
The seat can be damaged
at the edges if it is placed
on a rough surface.
Lay the seat upholstered side
down on a smooth, clean sur-
face, such as the fuel tank.
Release the key and pull the
seat back out of its holder.
466zOperation

Installing seat
If too much pressure is ap-
plied in the forward direc-
tion, there is a danger that the
motorcycle will be pushed off its
stand.
Always make sure that the
motorcycle is stable and firmly
supported.
Push the seat forward into
holders 1. Push down firmly on the seat,
applying pressure to the point
above the latch.
The seat engages with an aud-
ible click.
Helmet holderSecuring helmet to
motorcycleRemove the seat ( 66)
Use the wire rope available as
an optional accessory to secure
the helmet to helmet holder
1.
The helmet catch can
scratch the panelling.
Make sure the lock is out of the
467zOperation

way when you hook the helmet
into position.On the right-hand side of
the motorcycle, the helmet
could be damaged by heat from
the end silencer.
Attach the helmet on the left-
hand side of the motorcycle
only.
Pass the steel cable through
the helmet and push it onto
the helmet holder.
Install the seat ( 67)
Luggage loopsLuggage loops
underneath seatLoops 1for attaching luggage
straps are located on the under-
side of the seat.Using luggage loopsRemove the seat ( 66)
Turn the seat upside down. Pull loops
1out of holders 2.
You can hook luggage straps
into the loops.
Install the seat ( 67)
468zOperation

Riding
Riding
Safety instructions................... 70
Checklist ............................. 72
Starting .............................. 72
Running in ........................... 75
Brakes ............................... 76
Parking your motorcycle . ............ 77
Refuelling ............................ 79
569zRiding

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.
570zRiding