BMW F 800 GS 2008 Owner's Manual
Rider's Manual (US Model)
F 800 GS
BMW Motorrad
The Ultimate Riding
Machine
Motorcycle/Retailer Data
Motorcycle data
Model
Vehicle Identification Number
Color number
First registration
Registration number
Retailer Data
Contact in Service
Ms./Mr.
Phone number
Retailer's address/phone number (company stamp)
Welcome to BMW
We congratulate you on your
choice of a motorcycle from
BMW and welcome you to the
community of BMW riders.
Familiarize yourself with your new
motorcycle so that you can ride it
safely and confidently in all traffic
situations.
Please read this Rider's Manual
carefully before starting to use
your new BMW motorcycle. It
contains important information on
how to operate the controls and
how to make the best possible
use of all your BMW's technical
features.
In addition, it contains information
on maintenance and care to help
you maintain your motorcycle's
reliability and safety, as well as its
value.
If you have any questions concerning your motorcycle, your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer
is always happy to provide advice
and assistance.
We wish you many miles of safe
and enjoyable riding
BMW Motorrad.
Table of Contents
You can also use the index at the
end of this Rider's Manual to find
a specific topic.
1 General instructions . .. . . 5
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Abbreviations and symbols . . . . 6
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Currentness of this manual . . . . 7
2 Overviews . .. ... ... ... ... .. 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . . 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Under fairing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Left handlebar fitting . . . . . . . . . 16
Handlebar fitting, right . . . . . . . . 17
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3 Status indicators . ... ... 21
Standard displays . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Displays with onboard com-
OE
puter
...................... 23
Standard warning indica-
tors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Warning indicators of onboard computer
ABS warning indica-
OE
tors
........................ 30
Anti-theft alarm warning indi-
OE
cators
OE
........... 29
..................... 32
4 Operation .. . .. ... .. . .. ... 35
Ignition switch and steering
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Electronic immobilizer
(EWS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Odometer and tripmeters . . . . 38
Onboard computer
OE
........ 39
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . . 46
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated hand grips
BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
......... 48
OE
...... 48
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Helmet holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5 Riding .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 57
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Parking your motorcycle . . . . . 65
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Securing motorcycle for
transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
6 Technology in detail . .. 69
Brake system with BMW Motorrad ABS
OE
................ 70
7 Accessories . .. .. .. .. .. .. 73
General instructions . . . . . . . . . . 74
Onboard socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
OA
Case
Topcase
...................... 76
OA
................... 79
8 Maintenance . . .. ... .. . .. 83
General instructions . . . . . . . . . . 84
Onboard toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Front wheel stand . . . . . . . . . . 100
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
9 Care . .. ... .. . .. ... .. .. .. . 115
Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Washing your motorcy-
cle.......................... 116
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Protective wax coating . . . . . 118
Storing motorcycle . . . . . . . . . 118
Returning motorcycle to
use ......................... 118
10 Technical data . .. . .. . 119
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . . 120
Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . . 121
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Running gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Riding specifications . . . . . . . 132
11 Service . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . 133
Reporting safety defects . . . 134
BMW Motorrad Service . . . . 135
BMW Motorrad Service
Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
BMW Motorrad Service
Card - On-the-spot break-
down assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 135
BMW Motorrad Service
Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Maintenance work . . . . . . . . . . 136
Confirmation of mainte-
nance work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Confirmation of service . . . . . 142
General instructions
Overview ............................. 6
Abbreviations and symbols ........... 6
Equipment ............................ 6
Technical data ........................ 7
Currentness of this manual ........... 7
1
z
5
General instructions
Overview
1
Chapter 2 of this Rider's Manual will provide you with an initial
6
overview of your motorcycle. All
maintenance and repair work carried out on your motorcycle will
be documented in Chapter 11.
Proof of the maintenance work
performed is a prerequisite for
generous treatment of claims.
When the time comes to sell
your BMW, please remember
to hand over this Rider's Manual; it is an important part of the
motorcycle.
Abbreviations and
z
General instructions
symbols
Indicates warnings that you
must comply with for reasons of your safety and the safety of others, and to protect your
motorcycle against damage.
Special information on op-
erating and inspecting your
motorcycle as well as maintenance and adjustment procedures.
Indicates the end of an
item of information.
Instruction.
Result of an activity.
Reference to a page with
more detailed information.
Indicates the end of accessory or equipmentdependent information.
Tightening torque.
Technical data.
OE Optional equipment
The motorcycles are assembled complete with
all the BMW optional extras originally ordered.
OA Optional accessories
BMW optional accessories can be purchased
and installed at your authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Electronic immobilizer.
EWS
DWA
Anti-theft alarm.
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System.
Equipment
When you ordered your BMW
motorcycle, you chose various
items of custom equipment. This
Rider's Manual describes optional
equipment (OE) offered by BMW
and selected optional accessories
(OA). This explains why the manual may also contain descriptions
of equipment which you have not
ordered. Please note, too, that
your motorcycle might not be exactly as illustrated in this manual
on account of country-specific
differences.
If your BMW is equipped with
options or accessories not described in this Rider's Manual,
then this equipment is described
in a separate operating manual.
Technical data
All dimensions, weights and outputs in the Rider's Manual refer
to the Deutsche Institut für Normung e. V. (DIN) and comply with
its tolerance regulations. Versions for individual countries may
differ.
Currentness of this manual
The high safety and quality standards of BMW motorcycles are
maintained by constant development work on designs, equipment and accessories. Because
of this, your motorcycle may differ from the information supplied
in the Rider's Manual. In addition,
BMW Motorrad cannot guarantee
the total absence of errors. We
hope you will appreciate that no
claims can be entertained on the
basis of the data, illustrations or
descriptions in this manual.
1
z
7
General instructions
1
z
8
General instructions
Overviews
General view, left side................ 11
General view, right side . . ............ 13
Underneath seat ..................... 14
Under fairing . . ....................... 15
Left handlebar fitting ................. 16
Handlebar fitting, right . . . ............ 17
Instrument cluster ................... 18
Headlight ............................ 19
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Onboard socket ( 74)
2 Seat lock ( 54)
3 Engine oil fill location and oil
dipstick ( 85)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Fuel filler opening ( 66)
2 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 89)
3 Vehicle Identification
Number (on steering-head
bearing), Type plate (on
steering-head bearing)
4 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 88)
5 Coolant level indicator (be-
hind side panel) ( 89),
Coolant fill location (behind
side panel) ( 90)
6 Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 51)
7 Adjustment of rear damping
( 52)
2
13
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Location of first-aid kit (OA)
2 Onboard toolkit
14
3 Payload table
4 Tire inflation pressure table
5 Helmet holder ( 55)
6 Rider's Manual (US Model)
7 Tools for adjusting spring
preload ( 51)
z
Overviews
Under fairing
1 Battery ( 109)
2 Air filter housing ( 107)
2
15
z
Overviews
Left handlebar fitting
2
1 Operating onboard comput-
OE
er
16
2 ABS operation
3 Horn
4 Flashing turn indicators,
5 High-beam headlight and
z
Overviews
( 39)
left ( 45), Hazard warning flashers ( 46)
headlight flasher ( 44)
OE
( 48)
Handlebar fitting, right
1 Emergency ON/OFF switch
( 47)
2 Starter button ( 60)
3 Heated hand grips
( 48)
4 Flashing turn indicators,
right ( 45), Hazard warning flashers ( 46)
5 Turn indicators off ( 46),
Hazard warning flashers off
( 47)
OE
2
17
z
Overviews
Instrument cluster
2
1 Indicator lights ( 22)
2 Speedometer
18
3 Operating clock ( 38),
Operation of stopwatch
( 42)
4 Multifunction display
( 22)
5 Operating odometer
( 38)
6 Anti-theft alarm indicator
z
light (OE), Sensor for instru-
Overviews
ment lighting, Engine speed
warning light
7 Tachometer
The instrument-cluster
lighting has automatic day
and night switchover.
OE
OE
( 43)
Headlight
1 Low-beam headlight
2 High-beam headlight
3 Parking lights
2
19
z
Overviews
2
20
z
Overviews
Status indicators
Standard displays .................... 22
Displays with onboard comput-
erOE................................. 23
Standard warning indicators ......... 24
Warning indicators of onboard com-
puterOE.............................. 29
ABS warning indicatorsOE........... 30
Anti-theft alarm warning
indicatorsOE......................... 32
3
21
z
Status indicators
Standard displays
3
Multifunction display
22
Indicator lights
Service display
1 Clock ( 38)
2 Odometer and tripmeters
( 38)
z
Status indicators
1 High-beam headlight
2 Flashing turn indicators, left
3 Idling
4 Flashing turn indicators,
right
If the time remaining until the
next service lies within a month,
the service date is briefly displayed following the pre-ride
check. The month and year are
shown with two and four digits respectively separated by a
colon. In this example the display
means "March 2007".
If the motorcycle is driven long
distances annually, it is possible
that earlier service is required. If
the odometer reading for the earlier service lies within 600 miles
(1000 km), the remaining miles
(kilometers) are counted down
in 60-mile (100-km) steps and
briefly displayed following the
pre-ride check.
If the service interval has been
exceeded, the general warning
light also lights up yellow in addition to the date or mileage display. The Service lettering is displayed continuously.
If the service display already
more than one month before the service date, or if the
Service lettering does not stop
after the service date is exceeded, then the date stored in the
instrument cluster must be set.
This situation can occur if the
battery has been disconnected
for a longer time.
Consult a certified workshop,
preferably an authorized BMW
Motorrad retailer, for setting of
the date.
Displays with onboard
computer
Multifunction display
1 Onboard computer display
area
2 Gear indicator ( 23)
3 Coolant temperature
( 24)
4 Fuel capacity ( 24)
Gear indicator
display.
OE
OE
( 39)
The gear engaged or N
for neutral appears on the
3
23
z
Status indicators
If no gear is engaged, the
3
24
'neutral' indicator light also
lights up.
Coolant temperature
The horizontal bars over the
temperature symbol show
the coolant temperature level.
Fuel capacity
The horizontal bars over
the filling station symbol
indicate the remaining fuel quantity. The top cross bar is shown
enlarged and is equal to a correspondingly higher fuel level than
z
Status indicators
the other cross bars.
When the fuel in the tank is
topped up the gauge briefly
shows the original level, before
the reading is updated.
Standard warning indicators
Display
Warnings are indicated by the
warning lights 1 or by the general warning light 2 in conjunction
with a warning or a warning symbol in the multifunction display.
The general warning light lights
up red or yellow, depending on
the urgency of the warnings.
The warning symbols 1 and 2
can be shown in the multifunction display. Warnings like 3 are
shown in the display area of the
odometer preceded by the warning triangle 4.
If several warnings are active, all
corresponding warning lights and
symbols are displayed. Warnings
can be displayed in alternation
with the odometers ( 38). The
general warning light is shown in
accordance with the most urgent
warning.
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
3
25
z
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators
3
Indicator lights Displays Meaning
26
Lights up yellow Is indicated Electronic immobilizer is active ( 27)
EWS appears on
the display
Lights up Fuel down to reserve ( 27)
Lights up red Flashes
Lights up yellow Is indicated Engine in emergency-operation mode
z
Status indicators
Flashes
Lights up yellow Is indicated
Coolant temperature too high ( 27)
( 28)
Engine oil pressure insufficient ( 28)
Bulb defective ( 28)
LAMP appears on
the display
Electronic immobilizer is
active
General warning light shows
yellow.
Warning triangle appears on
the display.
EWS appears on the display.
Possible cause:
The key being used is not autho-
rized for starting, or communication between the key and engine
electronics is disrupted.
Remove other motorcycle keys
from the ignition key ring.
Use the reserve key.
Have the defective key replaced, preferably by an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.
Fuel down to reserve
Fuel-reserve warning light
lights up.
A fuel shortage can lead to
misfiring and to the engine
dying unexpectedly. Misfiring can
damage the catalytic converter,
and the engine dying unexpected
can lead to accidents.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is
completely empty.
Possible cause:
At the most, the fuel tank still
contains the reserve fuel quantity.
Reserve fuel quantity
≥1.1 gal (≥4l)
Refueling ( 66)
Coolant temperature too
high
General warning light shows
red.
The temperature symbol
flashes.
Continued driving with an
overheated engine can result in engine damage.
Be sure to observe the measures
listed below.
Possible cause:
Coolant level is too low.
Checking coolant level ( 89)
If coolant level is too low:
Topping up coolant ( 90)
Possible cause:
The coolant temperature is too
high.
If possible, continue driving
in the part-load range to cool
down the engine.
In traffic jams, switch off the
engine, but keep the ignition
switched on so that the radiator fan continues to operate.
Should the coolant temperature
frequently be too high, have
the fault rectified as quickly as
possible by a specialized work-
3
27
z
Status indicators
shop, preferably an authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
3
28
Engine in emergencyoperation mode
General warning light shows
yellow.
Engine symbol appears on
the display.
The engine is in the emer-
gency operating mode. Only reduced engine performance
may be available, which can lead
to danger driving situations, especially during passing maneu-
z
Status indicators
vers.
Adapt your driving style to
the possibly reduced engine
performance.
Possible cause:
The engine control unit has di-
agnosed a fault. In exceptional
cases, the engine stops and can
no longer be started. Otherwise,
the engine runs in the emergency operating mode.
Continued driving is possible,
however the accustomed engine performance may not be
available.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Engine oil pressure
insufficient
Engine oil-pressure warning
light flashes.
The oil pressure in the lubricating
oil circuit is too low. Stop immediately and switch off the engine.
The warning on insufficient
engine oil pressure is no
substitute for the function of
an oil-level indicator. The correct engine oil level can only be
checked on the oil dipstick.
Possible cause:
The engine oil level is too low.
Checking engine oil level
( 85)
If oil level is too low:
Topping up engine oil ( 86)
Possible cause:
The engine oil pressure is insuffi-
cient.
Driving with insufficient en-
gine oil pressure can result
in engine damage.
Do not continue driving.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Bulb defective
General warning light shows
yellow.
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