BMW R 1200 GS 2006 Owner's Manual
Rider's Manual (US-Model)
R 1200 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 questions concerning your motorcycle, your
authorized BMW Motorrad retailer will gladly 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 ............... 7
Technical data ........... 7
Currency .. ............... 7
2 Overviews . . ........... 9
General view, left side . . . 11
General view, right
side..................... 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . 15
Left handlebar fitting . . . . . 16
Handlebar fitting, right . . . 17
Instrument cluster . . . . . .. 18
Headlight . .............. 19
3 Status indicators . . . . . 21
Multifunction display . . . . . 22
Warning and indicator
lights . . . . . .............. 22
ABS warning light
OE
..... 22
Function indicators . . . . . . 22
General warning
indicators . .............. 23
Warning indicators of Tire
Pressure Control
OE
TPC
.................. 30
ABS warning
indicators
ASC warning
indicators
OE
............. 34
OE
............. 36
4 Operation . . . .......... 41
Ignition switch and
steering lock . . .......... 42
Electronic immobilizer
EWS.................... 43
Hazard warning
flashers . . . .............. 44
Odometer and
tripmeters . .............. 45
Clock . . . . . .............. 46
Tire Pressure Control
OE
TPC
.................. 47
Onboard computer
BMW Motorrad Integral
OE
ABS
.................. 51
Automatic Stability Control
OE
ASC
.................. 52
OE
.... 48
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . .............. 54
Heated hand grips
OE
..... 55
Adjusting windshield . . . . . 56
Clutch . . . . .............. 56
Brakes . . . . .............. 57
Lights . . . . . .............. 57
Headlight . .............. 58
Turn indicators .......... 59
Front and rear seats . . . . . 61
Helmet holder . .......... 63
Mirrors . . . . .............. 63
Spring preload .......... 64
Shock absorbers . . . . . . . . 65
Tires . . . ................. 66
5 Riding . . . . . . .......... 69
Safety instructions . . . . . . . 70
Checklist . . . . . . .......... 72
Starting ................. 72
Running in . . . . .......... 75
Driving offroad . .......... 76
Parking your
motorcycle . . .. .......... 76
Refueling . . .. . . .......... 78
Tire Pressure Control
OE
TPC
.................. 80
General brake system . . .. 80
Brake system with BMW
Motorrad Integral
OE
ABS
.................. 81
Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC
OE
... 84
6 Accessories .......... 87
General instructions . . . . . 88
Onboard socket . . . . . . . .. 88
Luggage . . . . . . .......... 89
OA
Case
................. 89
Luggage rack . .......... 92
7 Maintenance . . . ...... 95
General instructions . . . . . 96
Toolkit . ................. 96
Engine oil . . . . . .......... 97
General brake system . . .. 98
Brake pads. . . . .......... 99
Brake fluid . .. . ......... 101
Clutch . ................ 103
Tires . . . ................ 104
Rims . .. ................ 104
Wheels. ................ 105
Front wheel stand . ..... 110
Lamps . ................ 112
Air filter ................ 117
Jump starting . ......... 120
Battery . ................ 121
8 Care . ................ 125
Care products . ......... 126
Washing your
motorcycle . . .. ......... 126
Cleaning sensitive
motorcycle parts . . ..... 127
Paint care . . .. . ......... 128
Protective wax
coating ................ 128
Storing motorcycle ..... 128
Returning motorcycle to
use .................... 129
9 Technical data . . ..... 131
Troubleshooting
chart . . . ................ 132
Threaded fasteners ..... 133
Engine . ................ 134
Riding specifications . . . . 137
Clutch . ................ 137
Transmission . . ......... 137
Rear-wheel drive . . ..... 138
Running gear . . ......... 138
Brakes . ................ 139
Wheels and tires . . . ..... 139
Electrical system . . ..... 140
Frame. . ................ 142
Dimensions . . . ......... 142
Weights ................ 143
10 Service ............. 145
BMW Motorrad
service . . . . ............. 146
BMW Motorrad service
quality . . . . ............. 146
BMW Motorrad Service
Card - On-the-spot
breakdown
assistance ............. 147
BMW Motorrad service
network . . . ............. 147
Maintenance work . . . . . . 147
Maintenance
schedules . ............. 148
Confirmation of
maintenance work . .. . . . 149
Confirmation of
service . . . . ............. 154
General instructions
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Abbreviations and symbols . . . . . . 6
Equipment . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Technical data . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1
5
z
General instructions
Overview
1
Chapter 2 of this Rider's Manual will provide you with an
6
initial overview of your motorcycle. All maintenance and
repair work carried out on
your motorcycle will be documented in Chapter 10. Proof
of the maintenance work performed is a prerequisite for
generous treatment of claims.
Should you want to sell your
BMW one day, please also remember to turn over the Rider's Manual to the new owner;
it is an important part of your
motorcycle.
z
General instructions
Abbreviations and symbols
Indicates warnings you
should always observe
to ensure your own safety,
the safety of others and to
protect your motorcycle from
damage.
Special information on
operating and inspecting
your motorcycle as well as
maintenance and adjustment
procedures.
Indicates the end of a
note.
Instruction to take action.
Results of an action.
Reference to a page
with additional information.
Indicates the end
of accessory or
equipment-dependent
information.
Tightening torque.
Technical data.
OE Optional equipment
BMW equipment available only as a factory
installed option.
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 Sys-
tem.
ASC Automatic Stability
Control.
TPC Tire Pressure Control.
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.
Currency
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
7
z
General instructions
1
8
z
General instructions
Overviews
General view, left side . . . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . . . . 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 Adjusting front spring
preload ( 64)
2 Onboard socket (OA)
( 88)
3 Adjustable windshield
( 56)
4 Headlight range adjust-
ment ( 59)
5 Clutch fluid reservoir
( 103)
6 Type plate
7 Filler neck, engine oil
( 98)
8 Luggage rack ( 92)
9 Seat lock ( 61)
10 Onboard socket ( 88)
11 Adjusting rear damping
( 65)
12 Display for engine oil lev-
el ( 97)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Fill location for fuel
( 78)
2 Brake-fluid reservoir,
front ( 101)
3 Vehicle Identification
Number
4 Air filter (under tank cov-
er) ( 117)
5 Adjuster, spring preload,
rear ( 64)
6 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 102)
2
13
z
Overviews
2
14
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
1 Left and right helmet
holder ( 63)
2 Battery ( 123)
3 Toolkit ( 96)
4 Seat mount ( 62)
2
15
z
Overviews
Left handlebar fitting
2
1 Control, odometer
16
z
( 45), Operation of
onboard computer
( 48)
2 ASC button
3 ABS button
4 Pushbutton, horn
5 Left turn indicator button
( 59), Hazard warning
flashers button ( 44)
6 High-beam headlight
Overviews
switch ( 58), Switch
for headlight flasher
OE
OE
OE
( 53)
( 51)
Handlebar fitting, right
1 Emergency ON/OFF
switch ( 54)
2 Pushbutton, starter
( 72)
3 Right turn indicator
button ( 60), Hazard
warning flashers button
( 44)
4 Turn indicators off button
( 60), Hazard warning flashers off button
( 45)
5 Heated hand grips
switch
OE
( 55)
2
17
z
Overviews
Instrument cluster
2
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
18
3 Warning and indicator
lights ( 23)
4 Multifunction display
( 23)
5 Anti-theft alarm indicator
light (OE) and sensor for
instrument lighting
6 Control, odometer
z
( 45)
Overviews
Headlight
1 Low-beam bulb
2 High-beam bulb
3 Parking-light bulb
2
19
z
Overviews
2
20
z
Overviews
Status indicators
Multifunction display. . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warning and indicator lights . . . 22
ABS warning light
OE
........... 22
Function indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
General warning indicators. . . . . 23
Warning indicators of Tire
Pressure Control TPC
ABS warning indicators
ASC warning indicators
OE
....... 30
OE
...... 34
OE
..... 36
3
21
z
Status indicators
Multifunction display
3
22
1 Clock ( 46), Area for
TPC displays
Area for oil level informa-
OE
tion
( 51)
2 Area for warning symbols
z
Status indicators
( 23)
3 Area for onboard com-
puter displays
4 Gear indicator ( 23)
5 Engine-oil temperature
display ( 23)
6 Odometer display ( 45)
7 Fuel level display (OE)
( 22)
OE
OE
( 47),
( 48)
Warning and indicator lights
1 Indicator light, left turn
indicator
2 Indicator light, high-beam
headlight
3 Warning light, general
4 Indicator light, neutral
5 ABS warning light (OE)
6 Indicator light, right turn
indicator
ABS warning light
In some countries a different
display of the ABS warning
light is possible.
Possible country-dependent versions.
OE
Function indicators
Fuel capacity (OE)
The horizontal bars un-
der the gas pump symbol indicated the remaining
fuel quantity.
On motorcycles without an
onboard computer, the upper cross bars are shown enlarged. As a result, the upper
bar is equal to approximately
half the possible tank volume,
and the next bar approximately one-quarter. The remaining
fuel tank volume is shown in
greater detail with the smaller
horizontal bars.
Gear
Engaged gear is indicat-
ed.
If no gear is engaged, the
gear indicator displays N and
the 'neutral' indicator light
lights up.
Engine temperature
The lateral bars under
the temperature symbol
show the engine temperature
level.
ASC intervention (OE)
General warning light
flashes rapidly in yellow.
ASC symbol lights up.
The ASC has detected instability at the rear wheel and
has reduced the torque. The
warning light flashes one second longer than the ASC intervention lasts. As a result,
the driver is provided with optical feedback on the regulation carried out even after the
critical driving situation.
Offroad ASC intervention
(OE)
General warning light
flashes rapidly in yellow.
Offroad ASC symbol
lights up.
The offroad ASC has detected instability at the rear wheel
and has reduced the torque.
The warning light flashes one
second longer than the ASC
intervention lasts. As a result,
the driver is provided with optical feedback on the regulation carried out even after the
critical driving situation.
General warning indicators
Display
General warnings are displayed by means of information and symbols in the multifunction display. In some
cases, an additional general warning light lights up red
or yellow. If several warnings
are active, all corresponding
indicator lights and warning
symbols are displayed. Warnings are shown alternately.
3
23
z
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators
3
Display Meaning
24
Lights up yellow EWS! warning
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow Is indicated
appears.
FUEL! warning
appears.
Electronic immobilizer is active
( 26)
Fuel down to reserve ( 26)
Engine electronics ( 26)
Flashes in red Is indicated Engine oil pressure insufficient
z
Status indicators
Lights up red Is indicated Battery charge current insufficient
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow
Displayed with
CHECK OIL
warning
LAMPR! warning
appears.
LAMPF! warning
appears.
LAMPS! warning
appears.
( 27)
Engine oil level too low ( 27)
( 28)
Rear bulb defective ( 28)
Front bulb defective ( 28)
Bulbs defective ( 29)
Display Meaning
Lights up yellow
Is indicated
DWALO! warning
appears
DWA! warning
appears.
Ice warning (OE) ( 29)
Anti-theft alarm battery (OE) weak
( 29)
Anti-theft alarm battery (OE) dead
( 30)
3
25
z
Status indicators
Electronic immobilizer is
active
3
26
General warning light
lights up yellow.
EWS! warning appears.
The key being used is not authorized 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 re-
z
Status indicators
placed, preferably by an
authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Fuel down to reserve
General warning light
lights up yellow.
FUEL! warning appears.
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.
The probable operating
range is indicated.
At the most, the fuel tank
still contains the reserve fuel
quantity.
Reserve fuel quantity
1.1 gal (4 l)
Refueling ( 78)
Engine electronics
General warning light
lights up yellow.
Engine electronics symbol is displayed.
The engine is in the
emergency operating
mode. Only reduced
engine performance may be
available, which can lead to
danger driving situations,
especially during passing
maneuvers.
Adapt your driving style to
the possibly reduced engine
performance.
The engine-electronics control unit has diagnosed a fault.
In exceptional cases, the engine stops and can no longer
be started. Otherwise, the
engine runs in 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
General warning light
flashes in red.
Engine oil pressure symbol is displayed.
The oil pressure in the lubricating oil circuit is too low.
If the warning light lights up,
stop immediately and switch
off the engine.
The warning on insuf-
ficient engine oil pressure is no substitute for the
function of an oil-level indicator.The correct engine oil level
can only be checked at the oil
sight glass.
The cause of the warning on
insufficient engine oil pressure
can be an insufficient engine
oil level.
Checking engine oil level
( 97)
If oil level is too low:
Top up engine oil.
If the warning on insufficient
engine oil pressure appears
despite a correct engine oil
level:
In addition to an insuf-
ficient engine oil level,
other problems in the engine
can lead to the warning on insufficient engine oil pressure.
Continuing to ride in these
cases can cause engine damage.
If this warning appears, do
not continue to ride even
though the engine oil level
might be correct.
Do not continue driving.
Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible
by a specialized workshop,
preferably an authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
Engine oil level too low
Oil level symbol is dis-
play with
warning.
The electronic oil level sensor
has detected a low engine oil
level.
The exact engine oil level can
only be determined by conducting a check on the oil
sight glass. During the next
refueling stop:
Checking engine oil level
( 97)
If oil level is too low:
Topping up engine oil
( 98)
CHECK OIL
3
27
z
Status indicators
If "Check oil level" appears in
3
the display, although a correct oil level has been read off
28
at the oil sight glass, the oil
level sensor may be defective.
Checking engine oil level
( 97)
If oil level is too low:
Contact a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.
Battery charge current
insufficient
z
Status indicators
General warning light
lights up red.
Battery charge current
symbol is displayed.
A discharged battery can
result in the engine cutting out unexpectedly, causing a hazardous situation.
Have faults eliminated as
soon as possible.
If the battery is no longer
charged, continued
driving can lead to deep
discharging, and therefore to
the destruction of the battery.
If possible, do not continue
driving.
The battery is not being
charged.
Continued driving is possible until the battery is discharged. However, the engine can die suddenly and
the battery can be exhaustively discharged and therefore destroyed.
Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible
by a specialized workshop,
preferably an authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
Rear bulb defective
General warning light
lights up yellow.
LAMPR! warning appears.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always carry a complete set of spare
bulbs if possible.
Tail light or brake light bulb
defective.
Replacing brake and rear
light bulb ( 115)
Front bulb defective
LAMPF! warning appears.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always car-
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