Rider’s Manual (US Model)
R 1200 GS
BMW Motorrad
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.
To make sure of this, please read this Rider’s Manual carefully before starting to use your new 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. It also offers useful hints and information on the correct equipment for machine and rider, again geared toward maximizing reliability and safety.
If you have any questions concerning your motorcycle, your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer will gladly provide advice and assistance.
We hope you enjoy reading this Rider’s Manual and wish you many a pleasant, safe journey on your BMW motorcycle.
Best wishes,
BMW Motorrad
i
1 Introduction
General information
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2 Introduction
We have tried to make all the information in this Rider’s Manual easy to find.
The quickest access to a particular topic or item is by consulting the detailed alphabetical index at the end. The first chapter of this Rider’s Manual will provide you with an initial overview of your motorcycle.
When the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember to hand over this Rider’s Manual; it is, by law, an important part of the vehicle.
This symbol indicates precautions and measures which are essential in protecting the rider and other persons from severe or fatal injury.
Instructions and precautions specifically intended to prevent damage to the motorcycle. Disregarding them may render the warranty invalid.
Special information on operating and inspecting your motorcycle as well as maintenance and adjustment procedures.
General information
i
3 Introduction
XTightening torque:
This symbol introduces values for the various tightening torques
•This symbol introduces a passage containing instructions on how to perform a particular operation
–This symbol draws your attention to the outcome of the instructions on how to perform a particular operation
() Figure in parentheses bpage number with explanations
OE Optional equipment Your motorcycle was
assembled complete with all the optional equipment you ordered
OA Optional accessory You can obtain optional
accessories only through your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer or specialized retail outlet; optional accessories must be retrofitted to the motorcycle
EWS Electronic immobilizer DWA Anti-theft alarm
General information
i
4 Introduction
When you ordered your BMW motorcycle, you chose various items of custom equipment. This Rider’s Manual describes all the optional equipment (OE) and selected optional accessories (OA) that BMW offers for this model series.
This explains why the manual may also contain descriptions of equipment which you have not ordered.
If your BMW was supplied with equipment not described in this Rider’s Manual (such as a radio or anti-theft alarm, for example), you will find these features described in separate manuals.
All dimensions, weights and power ratings stated in the Rider’s Manual are quoted to the standards and comply with the tolerance requirements
of the Deutsche Institut für Normung e. V. (DIN). Configurations for individual countries may differ.
Safety information
i
5 Introduction
The high safety and quality standards of BMW motorcycles are maintained by unceasing development work on designs, equipment and accessories. Because of this, your motorcycle may differ from the information supplied in the Rider’s Manual. Nor can errors and omissions be entirely ruled out. We hope you will appreciate that no legal claims can be entertained on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this manual.
Use only parts and accessories approved by BMW for your motorcycle.
Parts and products approved for your motorcycle by BMW have been checked for safety, function and suitability.
BMW accepts product liability for these products. Conversely, BMW is unable to accept any liability whatsoever for parts and accessories which it has not approved.
Safety information
i
6 Introduction
Genuine BMW parts and accessories and other products which BMW has approved can be obtained from your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer, together with expert advice on their installation and use.
BMW cannot assess every product of outside origin in order to decide whether it can be used on or with a BMW vehicle without constituting a safety hazard.
Even approval by an official inspection authority such as the TÜV in Germany, or an official permit (General Operating Permit) cannot always provide this guarantee.
To reach your destination safely every time, there's only one choice:
•Helmet
•Suit
•Gloves
•Boots
It's foolish to ride without the right clothing. This applies even to short journeys, and to every season of the year.
Your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer will be happy to provide advice and tell you about the latest developments, and help you select the right clothing for your purpose.
Safety information
For safety reasons and to maintain the value of your motorcycle, regular maintenance intervals have been laid down. Always keep to the specified maintenance intervals. This is the only way to ensure that warranty claims are not invalidated. Your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer can provide information on the currently specified Service, Inspection and Annual Inspection needed, or you can fetch the information from the Internet whenever you want by visiting “www.bmw-motorrad.com/ maintenance”.
Important:
BMW refuses to accept liability for damage or consequential damage due to repairs or service work performed by other than BMW-authorized workshops.
Consequently, we advise you to have service and inspection work performed by your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer's specially trained, expert personnel, and confirmed by an entry in the “Service” section of this Rider's Manual. Authorized BMW Motorrad retailers are supplied with the latest technical information and have the necessary technical know-how and specially trained staff.
Please do not hesitate to contact your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer on all matters concerning your motorcycle. Authorized BMW Motorrad retailers are fully informed about all aspects of your motorcycle and will gladly advise and assist you.
Best wishes,
i
7 Introduction
Contents
i
8 Introduction
Welcome to BMW .................. |
1 |
Shock-absorber |
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General information............ |
2-4 |
adjustment ........................... |
52 |
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Safety information .............. |
5-7 |
Wheels................................. |
53 |
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Willkommen bei BMW 1 |
54-55 |
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Loading.......................... |
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Overview |
Allgemeine Informationen 2 |
56 |
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11 |
Shift lever............................. |
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Allgemeine Informationen 3 |
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General view, left side .......... |
12 |
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Allgemeine Informationen 4 |
57 |
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General view, right side ........ |
13 |
Riding ................................. |
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Sicherheitsinformationen 5 |
58-59 |
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Left handlebar fitting ............ |
14 |
Safety instructions ......... |
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Sicherheitsinformationen 6 |
60-61 |
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Right handlebar fitting .......... |
15 |
Checklist........................ |
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Cockpit |
Sicherheitsinformationen 7 |
62-63 |
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16 |
First time out .................. |
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Before you start |
64-66 |
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Starting |
67 |
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Status indicators ................ |
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Running in |
68-69 |
Indicator and |
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18 |
Gear shifts |
70-71 |
warning lights ....................... |
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19 |
Off-road riding |
72-73 |
Multifunction display............. |
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12 |
20 |
Parking |
74-77 |
Function indicators............... |
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13 |
21-23 |
Refueling |
78-79 |
Warning indicators ......... |
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24-25 |
Brake system - |
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ABS warning lights ......... |
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general |
80-81 |
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Operation |
27 |
Brake system - with |
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BMW Integral ABS |
82-89 |
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Ignition switch and |
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steering lock18.................. |
28-29 |
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Accessories |
91 |
Electronic immobilizer |
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EWS |
11 |
30-31 |
General instructions |
92 |
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Gesamtansicht links 12 |
93-94 |
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Hazard warning |
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12 V sockets.................. |
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flashers |
Gesamtansicht rechts 13 |
95-101 |
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32-33 |
Luggage system .......... |
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Tripmaster |
Lenkerarmatur links 14 |
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34-35 |
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Kill switch |
Lenkerarmatur rechts 15 |
103 |
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Cockpit 16 |
36 |
Arrive safely...................... |
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37 |
Reliable operation |
104 |
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Heated handlebar grips........ |
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Clock |
17 |
38 |
Service worldwide |
105 |
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Windshield |
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39 |
Training means |
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Handlebar levers ............ |
40-41 |
extra safety ........................ |
106 |
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Lights ............................. |
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42-45 |
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Seat ............................... |
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46-48 |
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Mirrors ................................. |
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49 |
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Spring preload ............... |
50-51 |
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9 Introduction
Contents
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10
Introduction
1
11
Overview
General view, left side
General view, right side
Left handlebar fitting
Right handlebar fitting
Cockpit
General view, left side
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1
12
Overview
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12 11 |
10 |
1 Spring-strut adjuster, front (b 50)
2 Power socket 12 VOA (b 93)
3 Windshield, (b 39)
4Headlight adjustment (b 45)
5Reservoir for clutch hydraulic fluid (b 117)
6 Helmet holder
7 Engine oil filler neck (b 111-112)
8 Seat adjustment (b 47)
9 Luggage rack (b 101)
10Seat lock (b 46-48)
11On-board socket, 12 V for connecting electrical accessories (b 93)
12Rear suspension strut, shock-absorber adjuster (b 51-52)
13Primary spark plug
14Secondary spark plug
15Engine oil level display (b 112)
16Type plate
General view, right side
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26 25 24 23 22
1
13
Overview
17Toolkit storage compartment
18 |
Fuel filler cap |
22 |
Helmet holder |
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(b 78-79) |
23 |
Secondary spark plug |
19 |
Brake-fluid reservoir for |
24 |
Primary spark plug |
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front brake (b 115) |
25 |
Spring-strut adjuster, rear |
20 |
Vehicle identification |
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(b 51) |
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number |
26 |
Brake-fluid reservoir for rear |
21 |
Air filter (b 140-142) |
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brake (b 116) |
Left handlebar fitting
2
1 1
14
Overview
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
To prevent air from entering the hydraulic circuit:
•Do not turn the fitting on the handlebar.
•Do not turn the handlebars in the clamping blocks.
1 Tripmaster button (b 34)
2 Hazard warning flasher switch (b 32)
3 ABS buttonOE (b 88)
4 Horn switch
5 Left flashing turn indicator switch
6High/low beam switch (b 42-45)
Right handlebar fitting
7
8
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7 |
Emergency off (kill) switch |
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for ignition (b 65) |
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To prevent air from entering |
8 |
Starter button (b 67) |
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the brake circuit: |
9 |
Switch for heated handlebar |
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• Do not turn the fitting on the |
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gripsOE (b 37) |
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handlebar. |
10 |
Turn indicator cancel switch |
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• Do not turn the handlebars |
11 |
Right flashing turn indicator |
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in the clamping blocks. |
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switch |
1
15
Overview
Cockpit
1 |
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3 |
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1
16
Overview
7 6 5 4
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1 |
Speedometer |
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Tachometer (b 68) |
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Indicator and warning lights |
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(b 18) |
4 |
Multifunction display (b 19) |
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The cockpit lights have auto- |
5 |
Indicator light for anti-theft |
matic brightness control for |
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alarmOE /Lighting sensor |
daytime/night-time riding. The |
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bright/dark |
sensor that controls the bright- |
6 |
Ignition switch and steering |
ness of the cockpit lights is next |
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lock (b 28) |
to the indicator light for the |
7 |
Knob for setting clock |
anti-theft alarmOE. |
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(b 38) |
2
17
Status indicators
Indicator and warning lights
Multifunction display
Function indicators
Warning indicators
ABSOE warning lights
Indicator and warning lights
2 3 4 5
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1 |
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6 |
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18 |
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Status indicators |
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1 |
Left turn indicator light s |
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2 |
High beam indicator light |
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q |
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3 |
General warning light e |
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ABS warning light lOE |
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(b 86) |
5 |
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4 |
Neutral indicator light k |
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(b 86) |
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(b 66) |
6 |
Right turn indicator light t |
Multifunction display
8
7 |
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9 |
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13 12 11 10
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15
16
17
2
19
Status indicators
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Possible warnings |
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12 |
Oil pressure i(b 21) |
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13 |
Battery charge light r |
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Fuel level n |
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(b 22) |
7 |
14 |
Bulb failure 7 |
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(b 20, 79) |
15 |
EWS active (b 30) |
8 |
Gear indicator (b 66) |
16 |
Fault in electronic engine |
9 |
Oil temperature j(b 20) |
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management system 5 |
10 |
Tripmaster display panel |
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(b 21) |
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(b 34, 35) |
17 |
Fuel reserve indicator n |
11 |
Clock display panel (b 38) |
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(b 20, 79) |
Function indicators
2
20
Status indicators
Indicator |
Multifunction Meaning |
light |
display |
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11 : 28 |
Clock |
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Shows the time in |
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12-hour mode |
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N |
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Gear indicator |
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Indicator light klights up when the |
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transmission is in neutral. |
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The display shows a number corre- |
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sponding to the gear you have engaged |
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eyellow |
n |
Fuel level |
flashes |
when the reserve range is reached, the |
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symbol nappears and flashes, the gen- |
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eral warning symbol e flashes. |
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The Tripmaster calculates the residual |
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operating range and shows this esti- |
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mated figure on the display. |
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e red |
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Engine temperature |
ON |
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The bar indicator flashes if the engine |
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overheats and |
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general warning light e lights up. |
Warning indicators
Warning |
Multifunction Meaning/measure |
light |
display |
e yellow |
5 |
Engine electronics |
ON |
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There is a fault in the electronic engine |
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management system. |
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Maintain a defensive riding style and |
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proceed immediately to a specialized |
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workshop, preferably an authorized |
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BMW Motorrad retailer. |
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e red |
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Oil pressure |
ON |
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Insufficient engine oil pressure |
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(b 111, 112) |
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Taking the traffic situation into account: |
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Disengage the clutch |
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Operate the emergency (kill) switch |
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Bring the motorcycle safely to a halt |
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Check the engine oil level |
If the warning indicator lights up but the oil level is correct, always consult a specialized workshop without
delay, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.
2
21
Status indicators
Warning indicators
2
22
Status indicators |
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Warning |
Multifunction |
Meaning/measure |
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light |
display |
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e red |
3 |
Battery charge current |
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ON |
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The battery is no longer charging, |
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generator fault. |
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Immediately consult a specialized work- |
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shop, preferably an authorized |
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BMW Motorrad retailer. |
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eyellow |
8 |
Bulb failure |
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ON |
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8Rear light or brake light defective |
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Replace bulbs (b 133) |
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Bulb failure |
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6 |
6Front parking light, low-beam head- |
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light, high-beam headlight defective |
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7 |
7Double flashing frequency, turn |
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indicator flasher defective |
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Replace bulbs (b 134-139) |
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eyellow |
7 |
7Combination of light defects |
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ON |
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described above |
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Replace bulbs (b 134-139) |
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Warning indicators
2
23
Status indicators
Warning |
Multifunction Meaning/measure |
light |
display |
e yellow |
EWS |
Electronic immobilizer |
ON |
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Key not recognized (b 30, 31). |
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Communication with engine electronics |
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defective |
Various warnings may be issued simultaneously. Some warnings combine e yellow and e red, in which case the two are displayed alternately.
ABSOE warning lights
2
24
Status indicators
General |
ABS warning |
Malfunctions |
warning |
light D |
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light e |
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OFF |
ON |
ABS function deactivated by the rider, |
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integral braking system available (b 88) |
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OFF |
Flashes at |
ABS not available, because pull-away |
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1 Hz |
test not completed (b 86) |
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OFF |
Flashes at |
Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION |
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4 Hz |
available in both circuits, (b 85) because |
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self-diagnosis not completed (b 86) |
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Red ON |
OFF |
Brake-light switch defective or not cor- |
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rectly adjusted |
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Red ON |
Flashes at |
ABS function unavailable in at least one |
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1 Hz |
braking circuit |
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Red ON |
Flashes at |
Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION |
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4 Hz |
available in at least one circuit (b 85) |
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ABSOE warning lights
Warning light, |
Warning light, |
Malfunctions |
general e |
ABS D |
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Red, alternate |
Alternate |
Fluid level in BMW Integral ABS too low. |
flashing at |
flashing at |
If the functions listed below are active, |
1 Hz |
1 Hz |
maintain a defensive riding style and pro- |
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ceed immediately to the nearest special- |
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ized workshop, preferably an authorized |
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BMW Motorrad retailer. |
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– Ignition OFF, brake pressure OK at the |
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brake levers |
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– Brakes acting on both wheels |
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– Brake system leaktight, no signs of |
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brake fluid escaping |
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Otherwise the brake system is defective: |
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do not attempt to ride the motorcycle. |
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Red, alternate |
Alternate |
Fluid level in BMW Integral ABS insuffi- |
flashing at |
flashing at |
cient, conduct checks listed above. |
4 Hz |
4 Hz |
Only RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION |
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available in at least one circuit (b 85) |
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2
25
Status indicators
Do not ride the motorcycle if you have any doubts about the safety of the brake system.
2
26
Status indicators
Ignition switch and steering lock Electronic immobilizer (EWS) Hazard warning flashers On-board computer
Kill switch
Heated handlebar gripsOE
Setting the clock Adjusting the windshield Handlebar levers
Lights
Seat
Mirrors
Spring preload
3
27
Operation
Ignition switch and steering lock
3
28
Operation
If the motorcycle is fitted with BMW Integral ABSOE, only
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION is available when the ignition is switched off (b 85)
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Ignition switch and steering |
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lock, tank lock and seat lock are |
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actuated with the same key. On |
Keys |
request, system casesOA can |
You will receive two master |
be arranged to lock with the |
keys and one spare key. |
same key. |