BMW R 1200 GS 2010 Owner's manual
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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 manu-
al . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 7
2 Overviews ................ 9
General view, left side . . .. . .. 11
General view, right side .. .. . 13
Left handlebar fitting . .. . . . .. 14
Handlebar fitting, right .. . .. . . 15
Underneath seat . . .. . .. . .. . . 16
Instrument cluster .. . .. . .. . . . 17
Headlight. .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 18
3 Status indicators ....... 19
Standard displays ... . .. . . . .. 20
Displays with onboard com-
puter . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . 21
Displays with Tire Pressure
Control TPC/RDC . . .. . . . .. . . 22
Standard warning indica-
tors.. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . 22
Warning indicators of on-
board computer . . .. . . . .. . .. . 27
ABS warning indicators .. . .. 29
ASC warning indicators .. . . . 31
TPC/RDC warning indica-
tors.. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . 35
Anti-theft alarm warning indi-
cators . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 41
4 Operation................ 45
Ignition switch and steering
lock .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . 46
Electronic immobilizer
EWS .. . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . 47
Clock. .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . 48
Odometer and
tripmeters .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . 49
Onboard computer .. . .. . . . .. 51
Tire Pressure Control TPC/
RDC.. .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . 54
Lights . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. 54
Turn indicators . . .. . . . .. . .. . . 56
Hazard warning flashers . . . .. 56
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. 57
Operating heated handlebar
grips.. . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 57
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . 58
Automatic Stability Control
ASC. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 59
Seat height.. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 61
Windshield . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. 61
Clutch .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 62
Brakes . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. 62
Mirrors ... . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 63
Handlebars . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . 64
Spring preload .. . .. . . . .. . .. . 64
Damping . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 66
Electronic suspension ad-
justment ESA . . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 67
Tires .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . 69
Headlight. .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 70
Front and rear seats.. .. . . . .. 70
Helmet holder .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 72
5 Riding.................... 73
Safety instructions .. . . . .. . .. 74
Checklist . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . 76
Starting... . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 77
Running in .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 79
Offroad riding .. .. . .. . . . .. . .. 80
Brakes . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. 81
Parking your motorcycle . . . . 82
Refueling .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . 83
Securing motorcycle for
transport .. .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. 84
6 Technology in
detail..................... 87
Brake system with BMW
Motorrad Integral ABS . . .. . . 88
Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC . .. . .. . . 90
Tire Pressure Control TPC/
RDC.. .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . 92
Electronic suspension ad-
justment ESA . . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 93
7 Accessories ............. 95
General instructions . . .. . . . .. 96
Onboard sockets . . .. . .. . .. . . 96
Case ... . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 97
Topcase.. .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . 100
Luggage rack .. . . . . . . .. . .. 103
8 Maintenance .......... 105
General instructions . . .. . . . 106
Onboard toolkit.. .. . .. . . . .. 106
Engine oil .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . 107
Brake system .. . .. . . . .. . .. 108
Clutch .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. 113
Rims and Tires . . .. . .. . .. . . 114
Wheels . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . 115
Front wheel stand. . .. . .. . . 121
Lamps.. . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . 122
Air filter.. .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 128
Jump-starting .. . .. . . . . . . .. 130
Battery . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . 131
9 Care.................... 135
Care products .. . . . .. . .. . .. 136
Washing your motorcy-
cle.. .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . 136
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts. .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . 137
Paint care . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . 138
Protective wax coating ... . 138
Storing motorcycle . .. . .. . . 138
Returning motorcycle to
use .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 139
10 Technical data ...... 141
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 142
Threaded fasteners .. . . .. . 143
Engine .. .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . 145
Fuel .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . 146
Engine oil .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . 147
Clutch .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. 148
Transmission. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 148
Rear-wheel drive .. .. . . . .. . 149
Running gear. . . .. . .. . .. . . . 149
Brakes . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . 150
Wheels and tires . . . . .. . .. . 151
Electrical system .. . .. . .. . . 152
Frame . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 154
Dimensions .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . 154
Weights .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. 155
Riding specifications .. .. . . 155
11 Service ............... 157
Reporting safety
defects . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . 158
BMW Motorrad Service .. . 159
BMW Motorrad Service
Quality .. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . . 159
BMW Motorrad Mobility
Services - onsite break-
down service . .. . . . .. . .. . .. 159
BMW Motorrad Service
Network . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . 160
Maintenance work. . .. . .. . . 160
Confirmation of mainte-
nance work.. . . . .. . .. . .. . . . 161
Confirmation of service .. . . 166
General instructions
Overview ..... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . .... . . 6
Abbreviations and symbols .. . . . . . ... 6
Equipment.. . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .... . . . . 7
Technical data .. .... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . 7
Currentness of this manual .. .... . . . . 7
1
5
z
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 separate operating instructions.
Technical data
All dimensions, weights and outputs in the Rider's Manual refer
to the Deutsches 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
7
z
General instructions
1
8
z
General instructions
Overviews
General view, left side.. . . . . .... . . . . . 11
General view, right side .... . . . . . . . .. 13
Left handlebar fitting .. . . . . . . . .... . . . 14
Handlebar fitting, right .. .... . . . . . . .. 15
Underneath seat . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . .. 16
Instrument cluster .. . . . . . . . .... . . . . . 17
Headlight .. . . . .... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . 18
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Adjusting front spring
preload ( 64)
2 Adjusting windshield
( 61)
3 Headlight range adjust-
ment (below instrument
cluster) ( 70)
4 Clutch fluid reservoir
( 113)
5 Type plate (on frame be-
hind side cover)
6 Seat lock ( 70)
7 Onboard socket ( 96)
8 Adjustment of rear damp-
ing ( 66)
9 Engine oil level indicator
( 107)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 64)
2 Fuel filler opening ( 83)
3 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 111)
4 Vehicle Identification
Number (on steering-head
bearing)
5 Air filter (behind right side
panel) ( 128)
6 Engine oil fill location
( 108)
7 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 112)
2
13
z
Overviews
Left handlebar fitting
2
1 Operating odometer
14
z
Overviews
( 49)
Operating clock ( 48)
with onboard comput-
OE
er
Operating onboard computer ( 51)
2 with BMW Motorrad In-
tegral ABS II
ABS operation ( 58)
with Automatic Stability
OE
Control
Operating ASC ( 59)
3 with Electronic Suspen-
sion Adjustment (ESA)
Operating ESA ( 67)
4 Horn
5 Flashing turn indicators,
left ( 56)
Hazard warning flashers
( 56)
6 Headlight flasher and high-
beam headlight ( 55)
OE
OE
Handlebar fitting, right
1 Emergency ON/OFF
switch ( 57)
2 Starter button ( 77)
3 with heated handlebar
4 Flashing turn indicators,
5 Turn indicators off ( 56)
OE
grips
Heated hand grip operation
( 57)
right ( 56)
Hazard warning flashers
( 56)
Hazard warning flashers off
( 56)
2
15
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Rider's Manual (US Model)
2 Battery ( 131)
16
3 Standard tool kit ( 106)
Payload table (in tool tray)
Tire inflation pressure table
(in tool tray)
4 Helmet holder ( 72)
z
Overviews
Instrument cluster
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
3 Indicator lights ( 20)
Warning lamps ( 22)
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
( 49)
Operating clock ( 48)
The instrument-cluster
lighting has automatic day
and night switchover.
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 computer . . .. 21
Displays with Tire Pressure Control
TPC/RDC... . . . . . . .... . . . . . . .... . . . . 22
Standard warning indicators ... . . . . . 22
Warning indicators of onboard com-
puter. .... . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . 27
ABS warning indicators . . . . ... . . . . . . 29
ASC warning indicators ... . . . . . . .... 31
TPC/RDC warning indicators. . . . . . .. 35
Anti-theft alarm warning
indicators . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . .... . . . . . 41
3
19
z
Status indicators
Standard displays
3
Multifunction display
20
1 Gear indicator ( 20)
2 Clock ( 48)
3 Engine temperature display
z
Status indicators
( 20)
4 Odometer and tripmeters
( 49)
5 Fuel fill level indicator
( 20)
Indicator lights
1 Flashing turn indicators,
left
2 High-beam headlight
3 Idling
4 Flashing turn indicators,
right
Fuel fill level indicator
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
display
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 1 is briefly displayed following the pre-ride
check. In this example the display means "March 2010".
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 621 miles
(1000 km), the remaining miles
(kilometers) 2 are counted down
in 62-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
appears more than a month
before the service date, the
stored date must be adjusted
in the instrument cluster. 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
with onboard computer
OE
3
21
z
Status indicators
3
22
Standard warning indicators
Display
1 Onboard computer display
area ( 51)
Displays with Tire Pressure Control TPC/ RDC
z
Status indicators
with Tire Pressure Control
(TPC/RDC)
OE
1 Display of tire inflation
pressures ( 54)
The tire inflation pressures
are shown temperaturecompensated (see the chapter
"Technology in Detail").
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.
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
3
23
z
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators
3
Warning light Displays Meaning
24
z
Status indicators
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow appears on the dis-
Flashes red appears on the dis-
Lights up red appears on the dis-
Lights up yellow
EWS ! appears on
the display
FUEL ! appears
on the display
play
play
play
LAMPR ! is indi-
cated
LAMPF ! is indi-
cated
Lights up yellow
LAMPS ! is indi-
cated
Electronic immobilizer is active ( 25)
Fuel down to reserve ( 25)
Engine in emergency-operation mode
( 25)
Engine oil pressure insufficient ( 26)
Battery charge current insufficient
( 26)
Rear bulb defective ( 26)
Front bulb defective ( 27)
Bulbs defective ( 27)
Electronic immobilizer is
active
The 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 authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.
Fuel down to reserve
The 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
Approx. 1.1 gal (Approx. 4 l)
Refueling ( 83).
Engine in emergencyoperation mode
The general warning light
lights up yellow.
The engine symbol is displayed.
The engine is in the emer-
gency operating mode. It
is possible that the full engine
output and speed range may not
be available, which can cause
dangerous driving situations, particularly for 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.
Avoid high load and engine
speed ranges if possible.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
3
25
z
Status indicators
Engine oil pressure
3
insufficient
26
z
Status indicators
The general warning light
flashes red.
The oil can symbol is displayed.
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 on the engine oil level
indicator.
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
The general warning light
lights up red.
The battery symbol is dis-
played.
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
The general warning light
lights up yellow.
LAMPR ! is indicated.
Possible cause:
Taillight or brake light bulb defec-
tive.
The diode tail light must be replaced. Please contact a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Front bulb defective
LAMPF ! is indicated.
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
signal bulb defective.
Replacing low-beam/high-beam
bulb ( 122).
Replacing parking light bulb
( 124).
Replacing front and rear turn
indicator bulbs ( 125).
Bulbs defective
The general warning light
lights up yellow.
LAMPS ! is indicated.
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
with onboard computer
Warnings of the onboard computer are indicated with one of
the symbols 1.
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
OE
3
27
z
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators
3
Warning light Displays Meaning
28
appears on the display
Check Oil is
indicated
appears on the dis-
play
z
Status indicators
Engine oil level too low ( 29)
Ice warning ( 29)
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