BMW R 1200 GS 2015 Owner's manual

BMW Motorrad
		The Ultimate
bmw motorrad.com		Riding Machine

Rider's Manual

R1200GS

Vehicle data/dealership details

Vehicle data

Model

Vehicle Identification Number

Colour code

Date of first registration

Registration number

Dealership details

Person to contact in Service department

Ms/Mr

Phone number

Dealership address/phone number (company stamp)

Welcome to BMW

We congratulate you on your choice of a vehicle from

BMW Motorrad and welcome you to the community of BMW riders. Familiarise yourself with your new vehicle so that you can ride it safely and confidently in all traffic situations.

About this Rider's Manual

Please read this Rider's Manual carefully before starting to use your new BMW. 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 vehicle's reliability and safety, as well as its value.

This record of the maintenance work you have had performed on

your vehicle is a precondition for generous treatment of goodwill claims.

If the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember to hand over this Rider's Manual to the new owner. It is an important part of the vehicle.

Suggestions and criticism

If you have questions concerning your vehicle, your authorised BMW Motorrad dealer will gladly provide advice and assistance.

We hope you will enjoy riding your BMW and that all your journeys will be pleasant and safe

BMW Motorrad.

01 40 8 358 051

*01408358051*

*01408358051*

Table of Contents

1 General instructions .... 5

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abbreviations and

symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Actuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 General views ............ 9

General view, left side . . . . . . . 11 General view, right side . . . . . 13 Underneath the seat . . . . . . . . 14 Multifunction switch, left . . . . 15 Multifunction switch,

right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3 Status indicators ....... 19

Telltale and warning

lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 22 Warning symbols in the

display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Service-due indicator . . . . . . . . 40 Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Ambient temperature. . . . . . . . 42 Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Recommendation to up-

shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4 Operation................ 45

Ignition switch/steering

lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Ignition with Key-

less Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Emergency off switch (kill switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Daytime riding light. . . . . . . . . . 54 Hazard warning lights sys-

tem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 57 Anti-lock brake system

(ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Automatic Stability Control (ASC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Cruise-control system . . . . . . . 72 Anti-theft alarm (DWA) . . . . . . 74 Heated handlebar grips . . . . . 76 Front and rear seats. . . . . . . . . 76

5 Adjustment .............. 81

Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

6 Riding .................... 89

Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . 90 Comply with checklist . . . . . . . 93 Always before riding off: . . . . . 93 Every 3rd refuelling stop . . . . 93 Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Off-roading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Shifting gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Parking your motor-

cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Securing motorcycle for transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

7 Engineering

details ................. 107

General instructions . . . . . . . 108 Anti-lock brake system

(ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Automatic Stability Control (ASC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Tyre pressure monitoring

(RDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Shift assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

8 Maintenance .......... 119

General instructions . . . . . . . 120 Standard toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Service toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Front-wheel stand . . . . . . . . . 121 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Coolant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Rims and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Light source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Diagnostic connector . . . . . . 151

9 Accessories ........... 153

General instructions . . . . . . . 154 Power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Topcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Navigation system . . . . . . . . . 164

10 Care .................. 171

Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . 172 Cleaning easily damaged components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Protective wax coating . . . . 174

Laying up the motor-

cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Restoring motorcycle to

use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

11 Technical data ...... 175

Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 176 Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . 177 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Final drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Chassis and

suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Wheels and tyres. . . . . . . . . . 185 Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . 187 Anti-theft alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Riding specifications . . . . . . 190

12 Service ............... 191

BMW Motorrad Service . . . 192 BMW Motorrad Mobility services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Maintenance work . . . . . . . . . 192 BMW Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Maintenance schedule . . . . 195 Confirmation of mainten-

ance work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Confirmation of service . . . . 210

13 Appendix............. 213

Certificate for electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Certificate for Key-

less Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Certificate for tyre pressure monitoring (tyre pressure control, RDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

14 Index ................. 219

General instructions

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abbreviations and symbols . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Actuality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1

5 instructionsGeneral

1

6

General instructions

Overview

An important aspect of this Rider's Manual is that it can be used for quick and easy reference. Consulting the

extensive index at the end of this Rider's Manual is the fastest way to find information on a particular topic or item. To first read an overview of your motorcycle, please go to Chapter 2. All maintenance and servicing work on the vehicle is documented

in Chapter 11. This record of the maintenance work you have had performed on your vehicle is a precondition for generous treatment of goodwill 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		Instruction.
symbols		Result of an activity.
CAUTION Low-risk hazard.
		Reference to a page with
Non-avoidance can lead to
slight or moderate injury.		more detailed informa-
WARNING Medium-risk		tion.
hazard. Non-avoidance can		Indicates the end of a
lead to fatal or severe injury.
		passage relating to spe-
DANGER High-risk haz-
		cific accessories or items
ard. Non-avoidance leads		of equipment.
to fatal or severe injury.		Tightening torque.
ATTENTION Special
notes and precautionary
measures. Non-compliance can		Technical data.
lead to damage to the vehicle or
accessory and, consequently, to
voiding of the warranty.	OE	Optional extras.
NOTICE Specific instruc-		The vehicles are as-
tions on how to operate,		sembled complete with
control, adjust or look after items		all the BMW Motorrad
of equipment on the vehicle.		optional extras originally
Indicates the end of an		ordered.
item of information.

OA	Optional accessories.
	You can obtain
	BMW Motorrad
	optional accessories
	through your authorised
	BMW Motorrad dealer;
	optional accessories
	have to be retrofitted to
	the vehicle.
EWS	Electronic immobiliser.
DWA	Anti-theft alarm.
ABS	Anti-lock brake system.
ASC	Automatic Stability Con-
	trol.
ESA	Electronic Suspension
	Adjustment.
RDC	Tyre pressure monitor-
	ing.

Equipment

When you purchased your BMW motorcycle, you chose a model with individual equipment. This Rider's Manual describes the optional extras (OE) offered by BMW and selected optional accessories (OA). This explains why the manual may also contain equipment specifications 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 motorcycle contains equipment that has not been described, its description can be found in a separate manual.

Technical data

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 Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (DIN). Versions for individual countries may differ.

Actuality

The high safety and quality level of BMW motorcycles is ensured by continuous development work on design, equipment

and accessories. Because of this, your motorcycle may differ from the information supplied in the Rider's Manual. Nor

can BMW Motorrad entirely rule out errors and omissions. Consequently no claims can be derived from the information, graphics or descriptions.

1

7 instructionsGeneral

1

8

General instructions

General views

General view, left side. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 General view, right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Underneath the seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Multifunction switch, left . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Multifunction switch, right . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2

9 viewsGeneral

2

10

General views

General view, left side

1with daytime running lightOE

Daytime riding light ( 54).

2Fuel filler neck ( 102)

3Seat lock ( 76)

4Setting the rear damping (down at the spring strut) ( 86)

2

11

General views

2

12

General views

General view, right side

1without Dynamic ESAOE Adjuster for spring preload, rear ( 85).

2Air filter (underneath the centre trim panel) ( 138)

3Brake-fluid tank, front ( 126)

4Height adjustment of the windscreen ( 83)

5Power socket ( 154)

6VIN (on steering-head bearing)

Type plate (on the frame, front right)

7Coolant-level indicator ( 128)

Coolant reservoir ( 128)

8Oil filler neck ( 123)

9Engine oil level indicator ( 122)

10Behind the side trim panel: Battery ( 145) Battery-positive connection point ( 144)

Diagnostic connector ( 151)

11Brake-fluid reservoir, rear ( 127)

2

13

General views

2

14

General views

Underneath the seat

1Standard toolkit ( 120)

2Rider's Manual

3Tyre pressure table

4Payload table

5Adjusting the front seat height ( 78)

6Fuses ( 149)

Multifunction switch, left

1High-beam headlight and headlight flasher ( 53)

2with cruise controlOE Cruise-control system ( 72).

3Hazard warning lights system ( 56)

4ABS ( 64) ASC ( 65)

5with Dynamic ESAOE Dynamic ESA Possible settings ( 66)

6with LED auxiliary headlightsOA

Auxiliary headlights ( 54).

7Turn indicators ( 57)

8Horn

9Multifunction display ( 57)

2

15

General views

2

16

General views

10with preparation for navigation systemOE

Operating navigation system ( 166) Multi-Controller

11with daytime running lightOE

Daytime riding light ( 54).

Multifunction switch, right

1with heated handlebar gripsOE

Heated handlebar grips ( 76).

2Riding mode ( 68)

3Emergency off switch (kill switch) ( 52)

4Starter button

Start engine ( 93).

2

17

General views

2

18

General views

Instrument panel

1Speedometer

2Engine speed display

3Photosensor (for adapting the brightness of the instrument lighting)

with alarm system (DWA)OE

Alarm system LED with Keyless RideOE

Telltale light for the radiooperated key

Switching on ignition ( 49).

4Telltale and warning lights ( 20)

5Multifunction display ( 22)

Status indicators

Telltale and warning lights . . . . . . . . . . 20 Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Warning symbols in the display . . . . . 24 Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Service-due indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Ambient temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Recommendation to upshift . . . . . . . . 43

3

19

Status indicators

3

20

Status indicators

Telltale and warning lights

1 with cruise controlOE Cruise-control system ( 72).

2Neutral

3ASC ( 65)

4Turn indicators

5ABS ( 64)

6- with EU markets exportNV

Malfunction indicator lamp Emissions warning ( 32)

7General warning light (in combination with warning symbols on the display)

( 25)

8with alarm system (DWA)OE

Alarm signal ( 74) with Keyless RideOE

Telltale light for the radiooperated key

Switching on ignition ( 49).

9High-beam headlight ( 53)

10with daytime running lightOE

Daytime riding light ( 54).

11with LED auxiliary headlightsOA

Auxiliary headlights ( 54).

12 Fuel reserve ( 41)

NOTICE

The ABS symbol might differ, depending on the specifics of national regulations.

3

21

Status indicators

3

22

Status indicators

Multifunction display

1Fuel level

2Recommendation to upshift ( 43)

3Gear indicator; "N" indicates neutral

4with daytime running lightOE

Automatic daytime riding light ( 55).

5with heated handlebar gripsOE

Heated handlebar grips ( 76).

6Odometer ( 57)

7Service-due indicator (maintenance interval) ( 192)

8Warning symbols ( 25)

9On-board computer

10with Dynamic ESAOE Dynamic ESA Possible settings ( 66)

11Riding mode ( 68)

12Clock ( 60)

13 Outside temperature warn-	3
ing ( 42)
	23
	Status indicators

3

24

Status indicators

Warning symbols in the display

1with tyre pressure monitoring (RDC)OE

Tyre pressure ( 42)

2EWS ( 30)

3Coolant temperature ( 31)

4Engine oil level ( 39)

5Engine electronics ( 31)

6Battery charge ( 146)

7Warnings ( 25)

Warnings

Mode of presentation

Warnings are indicated by the corresponding warning lights.

Warnings that do not have warning lights of their own are indicated by 'General' warning light 1 showing in combination with a warning symbol at 2 or a text warning at 3. The 'general' warning light shows yellow or red, depending on the urgency of the warning.

The status of the 'General' warning light matches the most urgent warning.

The possible warnings are listed on the next pages.

3

25

Status indicators

3

26

Status indicators

Warnings, overview
Telltale and warning	Warning symbols in the	Meaning
lights	display
	appears on the	Outside temperature warning	( 30)
	display
lights up yellow	appears on the	Electronic immobiliser active	( 30)
	display
lights up yellow	appears on the	Radio-operated key out of range ( 30)
	display
lights up yellow		Replace the battery of the radio-oper-
		ated key ( 31)
lights up red	appears on the	Coolant temperature too high	( 31)
	display
lights up yellow	appears on the	Engine in emergency-operation mode
	display	( 31)
The malfunction		Emissions warning ( 32)
indicator lamp lights
up.

Telltale and warning	Warning symbols in the	Meaning
lights	display
lights up yellow	!LAMP_ appears	Bulb faulty ( 32)
	on the display
	!LAMPF appears
	on the display
	DWALO ! appears	Anti-theft alarm battery weak ( 33)
	on the display
lights up yellow	DWA ! appears on	Anti-theft alarm battery flat ( 33)
	the display
lights up yellow	is displayed with	Tyre pressure close to limit of permitted
	one or two arrows	tolerance ( 33)
	and the critical tyre
	pressure reading
	also flashes
flashes red	is displayed with	Tyre pressure outside permitted toler-
	one or two arrows	ance ( 34)
	and the critical tyre
	pressure reading
	also flashes
lights up yellow	is displayed with	Sensor defective or system error
	one or two arrows	( 35)

3

27

Status indicators

3

28

Status indicators

Telltale and warning	Warning symbols in the	Meaning
lights	display
	"--" or "-- --"	Signal transmission disrupted ( 35)
	is displayed
lights up yellow	RDC! appears on	Battery of tyre-pressure sensor weak
	the display	( 36)
flashes		ABS self-diagnosis not completed
		( 36)
lights up		ABS fault ( 36)
lights up		ABS deactivated	( 36)
quick-flashes		ASC intervention	( 37)
slow-flashes		ASC self-diagnosis not completed
		( 37)
lights up		ASC deactivated	( 37)