BMW R 1200 GS 2018 Owner's Manual
Rider's Manual (US Model)
R 1200 GS
BMW Motorrad
Motorcycle/Retailer Data
Motorcycle Data
Model
Vehicle identification number
Color number
Initial registration
License plate
Retailer Data
Contact in Service
Ms./Mr.
Phone number
Retailer's address/phone number (company stamp)
Welcome to BMW
Congratulations on choosing a
motorcycle from BMW Motorrad
and welcome to the community
of BMW motorcycle owners and
riders. Familiarize yourself with
your new motorcycle so that you
can ride it safely and confidently
in all highway 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
get the most benefit from your
BMW's advanced 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.
Documentation confirming performance of scheduled maintenance is a precondition for generous handling of out-of-warranty
claims and goodwill warranty
treatment.
Should you want to sell your
BMW one day, please also remember to turn over the Ride's
Manual to the new owner. it is
an important part of your motorcycle.
Suggestions and complaints
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 on your
BMW
BMW Motorrad.
01 40 8 406 477
*01408406477*
Table of Contents
1 General instructions . ... 5
Overview .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Abbreviations and
symbols .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Notice concerning current sta-
tus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Overviews . .. .. .. .. . ... .. . 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Multifunction switch, left . . . . 15
Multifunction switch,
right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3 Displays . . ... .. .. .. . ... .. 19
Indicator and warning
lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 22
Warning symbols in the
display panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4 Operation ... .. .. .. .. .. .. . 49
Steering and ignition
lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Ignition with Key-
less Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Emergency on/off switch (kill
switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Hazard warning lights sys-
tem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 59
Antilock Brake System
(ABS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Automatic Stability Control
(ASC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Electronic chassis and
suspension adjustment
(DESA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
PRO riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Hill Start Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Anti-theft alarm (DWA) . . . . . . 82
Heated handlebar grips . . . . . 85
Rider and passenger
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
5 Setting .. .. .. .. .. . ... .. .. . 89
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Wind shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
6 Riding .. .. .. .. .. . ... .. .. .. 97
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Observe checklist . . . . . . . . . 100
Always before riding off . . . 100
At every third refueling
stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Off-road riding . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Shifting gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Parking your motorcy-
cle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Securing motorcycle for
transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
7 Technology in de-
tail ... .. .. .. .. . ... .. .. .. . 117
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Automatic Stability Control
(ASC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Dynamic ESA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tire pressure control
(RDC/TPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Shift assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Hill Start Control . . . . . . . . . . 129
8 Maintenance . ... .. .. .. 131
General instructions . . . . . . . 132
Tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Service tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Front wheel stand . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Coolant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Rims and tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Air filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Light sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Data link connector . . . . . . . 162
9 Accessories . .. .. .. . ... 165
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Onboard power
sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Topcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Navigation system. . . . . . . . . 176
10 Care . . ... .. .. .. .. . ... . 181
Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Washing your motorcy-
cle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Protective wax coating . . . . 184
Store motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . 184
Return motorcycle to
use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
11 Technical data . .. .. . 187
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 188
Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . 189
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . 195
Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . 199
Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . 200
Alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Performance data . . . . . . . . . 205
12 Service . ... .. .. .. .. .. . 207
Reporting safety
defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
BMW Motorrad Service .. . 209
BMW Motorrad Mobility
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Maintenance proce-
dures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
BMW Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Maintenance schedule . . . . 213
Maintenance confirma-
tions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Service confirmations . . . . . 228
13 Appendix .... .. .. .. . .. 231
Certificate for Electronic
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Certificate for Key-
less Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Certificate for Tire Pressure
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
14 Index . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 237
General instructions
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Abbreviations and symbols . . . . . . . . . . 6
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Notice concerning current status . . . . 7
1
5
z
General instructions
Overview
1
This Rider's Manual has been
designed to provide quick and ef-
6
ficient orientation. The quickest
way for you to find information
on specific topics is to consult
the comprehensive index at the
back of the manual. If you would
like to start with a quick overview
of your motorcycle, this information has been provided in chapter
2. All maintenance and repair
work carried out on your motorcycle will be documented in
Chapter 12. Documentation confirming performance of scheduled
maintenance is a precondition
z
General instructions
for generous handling of out-ofwarranty claims and goodwill warranty treatment.
When the time comes to sell
your BMW, remember to hand
over this Rider's Manual; it is an
important part of the motorcycle.
Abbreviations and symbols
CAUTION Hazard with
low risk. Failure to avoid
this hazard can result in minor or
moderate injury.
WARNING Hazard with
moderate risk. Failure to
avoid this hazard can result in
death or serious injury.
DANGER Hazard with high
risk. Failure to avoid this
hazard results in death or serious
injury.
ATTENTION Special in-
structions and precautionary measures. Non-compliance
can cause damage to the vehicle or accessories and warranty
claims may be denied as a result.
NOTICE Special informa-
tion on operating 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.
NV National-market version.
OE Optional extra.
BMW Motorrad optional
extras are already completely installed during
motorcycle production.
OA Optional accessory.
BMW Motorrad optional accessories can
be purchased and installed at your authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System.
ASC Automatic Stability Con-
trol.
D-
Electronic chassis and
ESA
suspension adjustment.
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol (optional equipment
only in combination with
Pro riding modes).
DWA
Anti-theft alarm.
Electronic immobilizer.
EWS
TPC 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 motorcycle comes with
equipment not described here,
you can find the descriptions in a
separate manual.
Technical data
All dimensions, weights and outputs in the Rider's Manual relate
to the German DIN standards
and comply with their tolerance
specifications. Versions for individual countries may differ.
Notice concerning current status
The outstanding levels of safety
and quality furnished by every
BMW motorcycle are the result
of ongoing advanced development focusing on continuous
improvement in design and engineering as well as equipment
and accessories. For this reason,
some aspects of your motorcycle
may vary from the descriptions in
this Rider's Manual. In addition,
BMW Motorrad cannot guarantee
the total absence of errors. For
this reason BMW is unable to
recognize any claims stemming
1
7
z
General instructions
from the information, illustrations
and descriptions in this manual.
1
8
z
General instructions
Overviews
General view, left side. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Multifunction switch, left . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Multifunction switch, right . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Fuel filler opening
( 111)
2 Seat lock ( 86)
3 Adjuster for rear damp-
ing (at the bottom on the
spring strut) ( 94)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 without Dynamic ESA
Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 93).
2 Air cleaner (under center
fairing panel) ( 149)
3 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 137)
4 Height adjuster for wind-
shield ( 91)
5 Power socket ( 166)
6 Vehicle identification num-
ber (on the steering head)
Type plate (on frame at
front right)
7 Coolant level indicator
( 139)
Coolant tank ( 140)
8 Oil fill location ( 135)
9 Engine oil level indicator
( 134)
OE
10 Behind the side panel:
Battery ( 156)
Positive battery connection
point ( 155)
Diagnostic connector
( 162)
11 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 138)
2
13
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Standard tool kit ( 132)
2 Rider's Manual (US Model)
14
3 Tire inflation pressure table
4 Load capacity table
5 Adjuster for the rider's seat
height ( 87)
6 Fuses ( 160)
z
Overviews
Multifunction switch, left
1 Headlight flasher and high-
beam headlight ( 56)
2 with cruise control
Cruise-control system
( 79).
3 Hazard warning lights sys-
tem ( 58)
4 ABS ( 66)
ASC ( 67)
with riding modes Pro
DTC ( 68)
5 with Dynamic ESA
Dynamic ESA adjustment
options ( 69)
6 with LED auxiliary head-
7 Turn indicators ( 58)
8 Horn
9 Multifunction display
OA
light
LED auxiliary driving lamp
( 57).
( 59)
OE
OE
OE
2
15
z
Overviews
10 with preparation for navi-
2
16
z
Overviews
gation system
Operating the navigation
system ( 177)
Multi-Controller
OE
Multifunction switch, right
1 with heated grips
Heated handlebar grips
( 85).
2 Riding mode ( 72)
3 Emergency on/off switch
(kill switch) ( 56)
4 Starter button
Starting engine ( 101).
OE
2
17
z
Overviews
Instrument panel
2
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
18
3 Photosensor (for adjusting
brightness of instrument
lighting)
with anti-theft alarm sys-
tem (DWA)
Alarm system LED
Alarm signal ( 83)
with Keyless Ride
z
Overviews
Indicator light for radiooperated key
Ignition with Keyless Ride
( 53).
4 Indicator and warning lights
( 20)
5 Multifunction display
( 22)
OE
OE
Displays
Indicator and warning lights . . . . . . . . . 20
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warning symbols in the display
panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3
19
z
Displays
Indicator and warning
3
lights
20
1 with cruise control
Cruise-control system
( 79).
2 Neutral position (idling)
3 ASC ( 41)
with riding modes Pro
DTC ( 41)
4 Turn indicators
z
Displays
5 ABS ( 40)
6 General warning light, in
conjunction with warning symbols on display
( 24)
7 with anti-theft alarm sys-
tem (DWA)
Alarm signal ( 83)
with Keyless Ride
Indicator light for radiooperated key
Ignition with Keyless Ride
( 53).
OE
OE
OE
OE
8 High-beam headlamp
( 56)
9 with LED auxiliary head-
10 Fuel reserve ( 44)
OA
light
LED auxiliary driving lamp
( 57).
3
21
z
Displays
Multifunction display
3
1 Fuel fill level indicator
2 Upshift recommendation
22
z
Displays
( 45)
3 Gear indicator display, "N"
indicates "neutral".
4 with Hill Start Control
Using Hill Start Control
( 81).
5 Odometer ( 59)
6 Service display (mainte-
nance interval) ( 209)
7 Warning symbols ( 24)
8 Onboard computer
with Dynamic ESA
Dynamic ESA adjustment
options ( 69)
9 with heated grips
Heated handlebar grips
( 85).
10 Riding mode ( 72)
11 Clock ( 62)
12 Outside temperature warn-
ing ( 31)
OE
OE
OE
Warning symbols in the display panel
1 with Tire Pressure Moni-
tor (TPM)
Tire pressure ( 36)
2 EWS ( 31)
3 Coolant temperature
( 34)
4 Engine oil level ( 33)
5 Electronic engine manage-
ment ( 34)
6 Vehicle voltage ( 32)
7 Warnings ( 24)
OE
3
23
z
Displays
Warning lights
3
Displays
24
Warnings are displayed with appropriate warning lights.
z
Displays
Warnings for which no separate
warning light is provided are signaled by the general warning
light 1 and are accompanied by
a warning symbol in area 2 or by
a warning notice in area 3. The
universal warning light lights up in
either yellow or red depending on
the urgency of the warning.
The universal warning light lights
up for the most urgent warning.
You will find an overview of the
potential warnings on the following pages.
Overview of warning indicators
Indicator and warning
Display text Meaning
lights
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light shows red.
Ice crystal symbol
is displayed.
EWS warning symbol is displayed.
Key fob transmitter
warning symbol is
displayed.
!KEYLO is dis-
played.
Symbol for vehicle
voltage is displayed.
Oil can symbol is
displayed.
OILLVL CHECK
is displayed.
Outside temperature warning ( 31)
Electronic immobilizer is active ( 31)
Radio-operated key outside reception
range ( 32)
Replace battery of radio-operated key
( 32)
Vehicle voltage too low ( 32)
Engine oil level too low ( 33)
3
25
z
Displays
Indicator and warning
3
lights
26
z
Displays
General warning
light shows red.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light flashes yellow.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
Display text Meaning
Temperature symbol is displayed.
Engine symbol
appears on the
display.
Engine symbol
flashes.
!LAMPF,
Coolant temperature too high ( 34)
Engine in emergency-operation mode
( 34)
Severe fault in the engine management
system ( 35)
Light source defect ( 35)
!LAMPR or
!LAMPS is
displayed.
!DWALO is dis-
played.
!DWA is displayed.
Anti-theft alarm battery low charge
( 36)
Anti-theft alarm system battery
discharged ( 36)
Indicator and warning
lights
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light flashes red.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
General warning
light lights up yellow.
Display text Meaning
Tire symbol with
one or two arrows
is displayed. The
critical tire-inflation pressure also
flashes.
Tire symbol with
one or two arrows
is displayed. The
critical tire-inflation pressure also
flashes.
The tire symbol
with one or two
arrows appears.
"--" or "-- --"
is indicated.
!RDC is displayed.
Tire inflation pressure is at limit of approved range ( 37)
Tire inflation pressure is outside approved range ( 38)
Sensor faulty or system fault ( 38)
Transmission error ( 39)
Battery of tire-inflation pressure sensor
weak ( 39)
3
27
z
Displays
Indicator and warning
3
lights
28
z
Displays
ABS indicator light
flashes.
ABS indicator light
lights up.
ABS indicator light
lights up.
ASC indicator
and warning light
flashes rapidly.
DTC indicator
and warning light
flashes rapidly.
ASC indicator
and warning light
flashes slowly.
DTC indicator
and warning light
flashes slowly.
Display text Meaning
ABS self-diagnosis not completed
( 40)
ABS fault ( 40)
ABS deactivated ( 41)
ASC intervention ( 41)
DTC intervention ( 41)
ASC self-diagnosis not completed
( 41)
DTC self-diagnosis not completed
( 42)
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