BMW R 1200 GS 2011 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 consult the index at
the end of this Rider's Manual if
you want to find a particular topic
or item of information.
1 General instructions . .. . 5
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Abbreviations and
symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Equipment . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 7
Technical data . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 7
Currentness of this man-
ual . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . 7
2 Overviews . . . . . . . ......... 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . 13
Multifunction switch, left . . . . 14
Right handlebar fitting . . . . . . . 15
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3 Status indicators . . . . . . . 19
Multifunction display . . . . .. . . 20
Meanings of displays . . . . . . . . 21
Warning and indicator
lights . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 21
Service display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Range . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Ambient temperature. . . . . . . . 23
Tire inflation pressures . . . . . . 23
Oil level indicator . . . .. . . . . . .. 24
Warning indicators . . . . . . . . .. 24
4 Operation . ............ .. . 39
Ignition switch . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Electronic immobilizer
EWS . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Clock . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 41
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Turn indicators . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 46
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . 46
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated handlebar grips . . . . . 48
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . 49
Automatic Stability Control
ASC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 50
Clutch . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 51
Brakes . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 52
Mirrors . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 52
Windshield . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 53
Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Spring preload . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 54
Damping . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 55
Electronic suspension ad-
justment ESA . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 57
Tires . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 59
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Front and rear seats. . .. . . . . . 60
Helmet holder . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 62
5 Riding .. .. . . . . . . . . . ....... 63
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . 64
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Starting. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 67
Running in . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 69
Offroad riding . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 70
Brakes . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 71
Parking your motorcycle . . . . 72
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Secure motorcycle for trans-
port . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 74
6 Technology in
detail .. . . . . . . . . . .......... 77
Brake system with BMW
Motorrad Integral ABS . . . . .. 78
Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC . . . . . . . . 80
Tire Pressure Control TPC/
RDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Electronic suspension ad-
justment ESA . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 83
7 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . ... 85
General instructions . . . . . .. . . 86
Onboard sockets . . . . . . .. . . . . 86
Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Topcase. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 90
Luggage rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
8 Maintenance . .. .. .. .. . . . 95
General instructions . . . . . .. . . 96
Onboard toolkit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 97
Brake system . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 98
Clutch . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 103
Rims and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Wheels . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 105
Front wheel stand . . .. . . . . . 110
Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Air filter . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 117
Jump-starting . . . .. . . . . . .. . 119
Battery . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 121
9 Care .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 125
Care products . . . . . . .. . . . . . 126
Washing your motorcy-
cle. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 126
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 128
Protective wax coating . . . . 128
Storing motorcycle . . . . . . . . 128
Returning motorcycle to
use . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 128
10 Technical data .. .. .. 129
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 130
Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . 131
Engine . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 133
Fuel . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 134
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 135
Clutch . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 136
Transmission . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 136
Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . .. . 137
Running gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Brakes . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 138
Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . .. 139
Electrical system . . . .. . . . . . 140
Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 142
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 143
Riding specifications . . . . . . 143
11 Service . .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 145
Reporting safety
defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
BMW Motorrad Service . . . 147
BMW Motorrad Mobility
Services . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 147
Maintenance work. . . . . . . . . 147
Confirmation of mainte-
nance work . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 149
Confirmation of service . . . . 154
12 Index . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 156
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 accessory
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.
TPC/
Tire Pressure Control
RDC
(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
Multifunction switch, left . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right handlebar fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Adjusting front spring
preload ( 54)
2 Adjusting windshield
( 53)
3 Headlight range adjust-
ment (below instrument
cluster) ( 60)
4 Clutch fluid reservoir
( 103)
5 Type plate (on frame be-
hind side cover)
6 Seat lock ( 60)
7 Onboard socket ( 86)
8 Adjustment of rear damp-
ing ( 55)
9 Engine oil level indicator
( 97)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 54)
2 Fuel filler opening ( 73)
3 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 101)
4 Vehicle Identification
Number (on steering-head
bearing)
5 Air filter (behind right side
panel) ( 117)
6 Engine oil fill location
( 98)
7 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 102)
2
13
z
Overviews
Multifunction switch,
2
left
14
1 Selecting readings ( 43).
with onboard
computer
Reset average values
( 44).
2 with BMW Motorrad In-
tegral ABS II
ABS operation ( 49)
z
Overviews
with Automatic Stability
Control
Operating ASC ( 50)
3 with Electronic Suspen-
sion Adjustment (ESA)
Operating ESA ( 57)
4 Horn
5 Flashing turn indicators,
left ( 46)
Hazard warning flashers
( 46)
6 Headlight flasher and high-
beam headlight ( 45)
OE
OE
OE
OE
Right handlebar fitting
1 Emergency ON/OFF
switch ( 47)
2 Starter button ( 67)
3 with heated handlebar
4 Flashing turn indicators,
5 Turn indicators off ( 46)
OE
grips
Heated hand grip operation
( 48)
right ( 46)
Hazard warning flashers
( 46)
Hazard warning flashers off
( 46)
2
15
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Rider's Manual (US Model)
2 Battery ( 121)
16
3 Standard tool kit ( 96)
Payload table (in tool tray)
Tire inflation pressure table
(in tool tray)
4 Helmet holder ( 62)
z
Overviews
Instrument cluster
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
3 Warning and indicator
lights ( 21)
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
( 43)
Operating clock ( 41)
OE
2
17
z
Overviews
2
18
z
Overviews
Status indicators
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Meanings of displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Warning and indicator lights . . . . . . . . . 21
Service display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Ambient temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Tire inflation pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Oil level indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Warning indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3
19
z
Status indicators
Multifunction display
3
1 The horizontal bars indi-
20
z
Status indicators
cate the remaining fuel
level.
2 Gear indicator display, "N"
indicates "neutral."
3 Sector for warning displays
( 24)
4 with Automatic Stability
ASC warning and indicator
displays ( 34)
5 Warning indicators ( 24)
6 The horizontal bars indi-
cate the level of the engine
temperature.
7 with onboard
Onboard computer displays ( 21)
8 with Electronic Suspen-
ESA setting ( 57)
9 Odometer and tripmeters
( 43)
OE
Control
computer
sion Adjustment (ESA)
OE
OE
10 Clock ( 41)
with onboard
computer
Onboard computer data
sector ( 43)
OE
Meanings of displays
with onboard computer
OE
CLOCK: Time display
TEMP: Ambient temperature
( 23)
Ø SPEED: Average speed since
last reset
Ø FUEL: Average fuel milage
since last reset
RANGE: Travel range with re-
maining fuel ( 22)
OIL: Oil level indicator ( 24)
with Tire Pressure Control
(TPC/RDC)
OE
RDC P: Tire inflation pressures
( 23)
Warning and indicator lights
1 Indicator light for left turn
indicator
2 High-beam headlight indi-
cator light
3 General warning light, in
conjunction with warning indicators in display
( 24)
4 Neutral indicator light
5 with BMW Motorrad In-
tegral ABS II
ABS warning light ( 33)
OE
3
21
z
Status indicators
6 Indicator light for right turn
3
22
indicator
The ABS symbol can be
shown differently depend-
ing on the country.
Service display
z
Status indicators
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 2012".
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.
Range
The range indicates what distance can still be driven with the
remaining fuel. This distance is
calculated on the basis of fuel
level and average consumption.
When refueling after running on
reserve, make sure that you top
up the tank to a level above reserve, as otherwise the sensor
will not be able to register the
new level. If the sensor cannot
register the new level the range
display cannot be updated.
If the motorcycle is standing on
the side stand, the fuel level cannot be correctly determined due
to the inclined position. For this
reason the range is only calculated with the side stand retracted.
The determined range is an
approximate reading. BMW
Motorrad therefore recommends
that you do not try to use the full
range before refueling.
without onboard computer
The range is not displayed until
after the reserve fuel quantity is
reached.
with onboard computer
The average consumption for
calculating the range is not displayed and may differ from the
indicated average consumption.
OE
OE
Ambient temperature
with onboard computer
When the motorcycle is stopped,
the engine heat can falsify the
measurement of the ambient
temperature. If the influence of
the engine heat becomes too
great, -- is temporarily shown in
the display.
If the ambient temperature
drops below 37 °F (3 °C),
the temperature display flashes
as a warning of possible icingup. The display automatically
switches from any other mode
to the temperature reading when
the temperature drops below this
threshold for the first time.
OE
Tire inflation pressures
with Tire Pressure Control
(TPC/RDC)
The displayed tire inflation pressures refer to a tire temperature
of 68 °F (20 °C). The left-hand
value 1 indicates the air pressure of the front wheel, and the
right-hand value 2 the inflation
pressure of the rear wheel. Immediately after switching on the
ignition, -- -- is displayed, as
the transfer of the inflation pressure values does not begin until
a speed of 19 mph (30 km/h) is
exceeded for the first time.
OE
3
23
z
Status indicators
If the 3 symbol appears at
3
24
z
Status indicators
the same time the display
is a warning. The critical tire inflation pressure flashes.
If the critical value is at the limit
of the permissible tolerance, the
general warning light also lights
up in yellow. If the determined
tire inflation pressure is outside
the permissible tolerance, the
general warning light flashes in
red.
Additional information on BMW
Motorrad TPC/RDC is provided
from page ( 82).
Oil level indicator
with onboard computer
OE
The oil level indicator 1 provides
information on the oil level in the
engine. It can only be displayed
when the motorcycle is stopped.
The conditions for the oil level
indicator are as follows:
Engine at operating temperature.
Engine idling for at least ten
seconds.
Side-stand retracted.
Motorcycle is vertical.
The readings mean:
OK: Oil level correct.
CHECK: Check oil level during
next refueling stop.
---: No measurement possible
(above-mentioned conditions not
met).
If other information of the
onboard computer is displayed, this symbol continues to
be shown until the oil level is detected as correct again.
The most recently measured status appears in the display for
five seconds the next time you
switch on the ignition.
Warning indicators
Display
Warnings are displayed with the
corresponding warning light.
Warnings for which no separate
warning lamp is provided are signalled by the universal warning
lamp 1 and are accompanied by
a warning notice such as 2 or a
warning symbol such as 3 in the
multifunction display. The universal warning lamp lights up in
either 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
25
z
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators
3
Warning light Displays Meaning
26
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow appears on the dis-
Flashes red appears on the dis-
z
Status indicators
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 ( 30)
Fuel down to reserve ( 30)
Engine in emergency-operation mode
( 30)
Engine oil pressure insufficient ( 31)
Battery charge current insufficient
( 31)
Tail light defective ( 31)
Headlight bulb or turn signal defective
( 32)
Bulbs defective ( 32)
Warning light Displays Meaning
appears on the display
Engine oil level too low ( 32)
Check Oil is
indicated
appears on the display
Flashes
Lights up
Ice warning ( 32)
ABS self-diagnosis not completed
( 33)
ABS deactivated ( 33)
3
27
Lights up
Flashes rapidly yellow
appears on the display
appears on the display
Flashes slowly
ABS error ( 33)
ASC intervention ( 34)
Offroad ASC intervention ( 34)
ASC self-diagnosis not completed
( 34)
z
Status indicators
Warning light Displays Meaning
3
28
Lights up yellow appears on the dis-
Lights up yellow appears on the dis-
z
Status indicators
Flashes red appears on the dis-
Flashes slowly
appears on the display
play
play
The critical tire
inflation pressure
flashes
play
The critical tire
inflation pressure
flashes
"--" or "-- --"
is indicated
ASC self-diagnosis routine in off-road
mode is not yet completed ( 34)
ASC deactivated ( 35)
ASC error ( 35)
Tire inflation pressure in limit area of
permissible tolerance ( 35)
Tire inflation pressure outside permissible tolerance ( 36)
Transmission error ( 36)
Loading...