BMW R 1200 GS 2008 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 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Currentness of this manual . . . . 7
2 Overviews . ......... .. .... . 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . . 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Left handlebar fitting . . . . . . . . . 15
Handlebar fitting, right . . . . . . . . 16
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3 Status indicators . . .. ... 19
Standard displays . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Displays with onboard com-
OE
puter
Displays with Tire Pressure
Control TPC/RDC
...................... 21
OE
......... 22
Standard warning indica-
tors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warning indicators of onboard computer
ABS warning indica-
OE
tors
........................ 28
ASC warning indica-
OE
tors
........................ 31
TPC/RDC warning indica-
OE
tors
........................ 34
Anti-theft alarm warning indi-
OE
cators
OE
........... 26
..................... 39
4 Operation ... . .. .......... 43
Ignition switch and steering
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Electronic immobilizer
EWS ......................... 45
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Odometer and tripmeters . . . . 47
Onboard computer
Tire Pressure Control TPC/
OE
RDC
....................... 52
OE
........ 49
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . . 55
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
BMW Motorrad Integral
OE
ABS
....................... 57
Automatic Stability Control
OE
ASC
....................... 58
Seat height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Electronic suspension adjustment ESA
OE
................. 65
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Front and rear seats . . . . . . . . . . 69
Helmet holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5 Riding ..... .. ........... .. 73
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Lowered suspension
OE
...... 78
Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Driving offroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Parking your motorcycle . . . . . 82
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Securing motorcycle for
transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
6 Technology in detail . .. 87
Brake system with BMW Motorrad Integral ABS
Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC
Tire Pressure Control TPC/
OE
RDC
....................... 92
Electronic suspension adjustment ESA
OE
OE
........ 88
OE
...... 90
................. 93
7 Accessories ... .. ........ 95
General instructions . . . . . . . . . . 96
Onboard socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Additional headlight
OA
....... 97
Luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
OA
Case
Topcase
...................... 98
OA
................. 100
Luggage rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
8 Maintenance . .. ........ 105
General instructions . . . . . . . . 106
Onboard toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Front wheel stand . . . . . . . . . . 121
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
9 Care . .. ......... ... .. .... 137
Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Washing your motorcy-
cle.......................... 138
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Protective wax coating . . . . . 140
Storing motorcycle . . . . . . . . . 140
Returning motorcycle to
use......................... 141
10 Technical data . .. ... . 143
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . . 144
Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . . 145
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Running gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Riding specifications . . . . . . . 158
11 Service . .. ......... .. .. 159
Reporting safety defects . . . 160
BMW Motorrad Service . . . . 161
BMW Motorrad Service
Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
BMW Motorrad Service
Card - On-the-spot break-
down assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 161
BMW Motorrad Service
Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Maintenance work . . . . . . . . . . 162
Confirmation of mainte-
nance work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Confirmation of service . . . . . 168
General instructions
Overview ............................. 6
Abbreviations and symbols ........... 6
Equipment ............................ 7
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.
ASC Automatic Stability Con-
trol.
ESA Electronic Suspension
Adjustment
Electronic suspension
adjustment.
RDC Tire Pressure Control
(TPC).
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
Left handlebar fitting ................. 15
Handlebar fitting, right . . . ............ 16
Instrument cluster ................... 17
Headlight ............................ 18
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Adjusting front spring
preload ( 63)
2 Adjusting windshield
( 60)
3 Headlight range adjustment
(below instrument cluster)
( 69)
4 Clutch fluid reservoir
( 113)
5 Type plate (on frame behind
side cover)
6 Seat lock ( 69)
7 Onboard socket ( 96)
8 Adjustment of rear damping
( 64)
9 Engine oil fill location
( 108)
10 Engine oil level indicator
( 107)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 63)
2 Fuel filler opening ( 83)
3 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 111)
4 Vehicle Identification Num-
ber (on steering-head bearing)
5 Air filter (behind right side
panel) ( 129)
6 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 112)
2
13
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Rider's Manual (US Model)
2 Battery ( 133)
14
3 Onboard toolkit, Payload
table (in tool tray), Tire inflation pressure table (in tool
tray)
4 Helmet holder ( 71)
z
Overviews
Left handlebar fitting
1 Operating odometer
( 47), Operating onboard
computer
2 ABS operation
Operating ASC
3 Operating ESA
4 Horn
5 Flashing turn indicators,
left ( 54), Hazard warning flashers ( 55)
6 Headlight flasher and high-
beam headlight ( 53)
OE
( 49)
OE
OE
OE
( 57),
( 58)
( 65)
2
15
z
Overviews
Handlebar fitting, right
2
1 Emergency ON/OFF switch
16
z
( 56)
2 Starter button ( 76)
3 Heated hand grips
4 Flashing turn indicators,
right ( 54), Hazard warning flashers ( 55)
5 Turn indicators off ( 55),
Hazard warning flashers off
( 56)
Overviews
Instrument cluster
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
3 Indicator lights ( 20)
4 Multifunction display
( 20)
5 Ambient brightness sensor
(for brightness adjustment
of instrument lighting)
with anti-theft alarm
Anti-theft alarm indicator
light (see anti-theft alarm
operating instructions)
6 Operating odometer
( 47), Operating clock
( 46)
OE
2
17
z
Overviews
Headlight
2
1 Low-beam headlight
2 High-beam headlight
18
3 Parking lights
z
Overviews
Status indicators
Standard displays .................... 20
Displays with onboard comput-
erOE................................. 21
Displays with Tire Pressure Control
TPC/RDC
Standard warning indicators ......... 22
Warning indicators of onboard com-
puterOE.............................. 26
ABS warning indicators
ASC warning indicatorsOE........... 31
TPC/RDC warning indicatorsOE...... 34
Anti-theft alarm warning
indicatorsOE......................... 39
OE
......................... 22
OE
........... 28
3
19
z
Status indicators
Standard displays
3
Multifunction display
20
1 Clock ( 46)
2 Gear indicator ( 20)
3 Engine temperature ( 20)
4 Odometer and tripmeters
z
Status indicators
( 47)
5 Fuel capacity ( 20)
Indicator lights
1 Flashing turn indicators, left
2 High-beam headlight
3 Idling
4 Flashing turn indicators,
right
Fuel capacity
The horizontal bars under
the gas pump symbol indicated the remaining fuel quantity.
When the fuel in the tank is
topped up the gauge briefly
shows the original level, before
the reading is updated.
Gear indicator
The gear engaged or N
for neutral appears on the
display.
If no gear is engaged, the
'neutral' indicator light also
lights up.
Engine temperature
The lateral bars under the
temperature symbol show
the engine temperature level.
Service display
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 digits each separated by a dash. 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
OE
OE
( 49)
computer
1 Onboard computer display
area
3
21
z
Status indicators
Displays with Tire
3
Pressure Control TPC/
OE
RDC
22
Standard warning indicators
Display
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
1 Display of tire inflation pres-
z
Status indicators
compensated (see the chapter
"Technology in Detail").
OE
sures
( 52)
The tire inflation pressures
are shown temperature-
Warnings are indicated by the
'General' warning light 1 showing in combination with a warning
word, for example 2 or with one
of the warning symbols 3. The
'General' warning light shows red
or yellow, depending on the urgency of the warning.
If several warnings are active, all
corresponding warning lights and
warning symbol are displayed;
warnings are shown alternately.
Overview of warning indicators
Indicator lights Displays Meaning
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow Is indicated Engine in emergency-operation mode
Flashes red Is indicated
EWS ! appears on
the display
FUEL ! appears
on the display
Electronic immobilizer is active ( 24)
Fuel down to reserve ( 24)
( 24)
Engine oil pressure insufficient ( 25)
3
23
Lights up red Is indicated
Lights up yellow
LAMPR ! appears
on the display
LAMPF ! appears
on the display
Lights up yellow
LAMPS ! appears
on the display
Battery charge current insufficient
( 25)
Rear bulb defective ( 25)
Front bulb defective ( 26)
Bulbs defective ( 26)
z
Status indicators
Electronic immobilizer is
3
active
24
General warning light lights
up yellow.
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 autho-
z
Status indicators
rized BMW Motorrad retailer.
Fuel down to reserve
General warning light lights
up yellow.
FUEL ! appears on the display.
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 ( 83)
Engine in emergencyoperation mode
General warning light lights
up 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 maneuvers.
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
General warning light flashes in red.
Oil-can symbol appears on
the display.
The oil pressure in the lubricating
oil circuit is too low. Stop immediately and switch off 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 at the oil sight glass.
Possible cause:
The engine oil level is too low.
Checking engine oil level
( 107)
If oil level is too low:
Top up engine oil.
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.
Battery charge current
insufficient
General warning light lights
up red.
Battery symbol appears on
the display.
A discharged battery leads
to the failure of various motorcycle systems, e.g. lighting,
engine or ABS. This can result in
dangerous driving situations.
If possible, do not continue
driving.
The battery is not being charged.
If you continue driving, the vehicle electronics will discharge the
battery.
Possible cause:
Alternator or alternator belt defective
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 ! appears on the dis-
play.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because
it is easier for other users to
oversee the motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
3
25
z
Status indicators
soon as possible; always carry a
complete set of spare bulbs if
3
possible.
26
Possible cause:
Tail light or brake light bulb de-
fective.
The diode tail light must be replaced. Please contact a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Front bulb defective
LAMPF ! appears on the dis-
play.
z
Status indicators
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because
it is easier for other users to
oversee the motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always carry a
complete set of spare bulbs if
possible.
Possible cause:
Low-beam headlight, high-beam
headlight, parking light or turn
indicator bulb defective.
Replacing low-beam/high-beam
bulb ( 123)
Replacing parking light bulb
( 124)
Replacing front and rear turn
indicator bulbs ( 125)
Bulbs defective
General warning light lights
up yellow.
LAMPS ! appears on the dis-
play.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because
it is easier for other users to
oversee the motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always carry a
complete set of spare bulbs if
possible.
Possible cause:
A combination of several bulb
defects is present.
See the fault descriptions
above.
Warning indicators of
onboard computer
Display
Warnings of the onboard computer are shown in area 1.
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
OE
Overview of warning indicators
Indicator lights Displays Meaning
Is indicated Engine oil level too low ( 28)
Check Oil ap-
pears on the display
Is indicated Ice warning ( 28)
3
27
z
Status indicators
Engine oil level too low
3
28
Oil level symbol appears on
the display.
Check Oil appears on the
display.
Possible cause:
The electronic oil level sensor
has detected a low engine oil
level. Check the engine oil level
on the oil level indicator the next
time you stop for refueling:
Checking engine oil level
( 107)
If oil level is too low:
Topping up engine oil ( 108)
z
Status indicators
Possible cause:
If "Check oil level" appears in
the display, although a correct oil
level has been read off at the oil
sight glass, the oil level sensor
may be defective.
Contact a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
Ice warning
Ice crystal symbol appears
on the display.
Possible cause:
The ambient temperature mea-
sured at the motorcycle is lower
than 37 °F (3 °C).
The ice warning does not
mean that there is no risk
of black ice forming at measured
temperatures above 37 °F (3 °C).
Always think well ahead when
temperatures are low, especially
on bridges and where the road is
in the shade.
Think well ahead when driving.
ABS warning
indicators
Display
ABS warnings are indicated by
the ABS warning light 1.
In some countries an alternative
display of the ABS warning light
is possible.
Possible country-dependent
versions.
Additional information on the
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS is
provided from page ( 88); an
OE
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