BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2008 Owner's manual

Rider's Manual (US Model)

R 1200 GS Adventure

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 questions concerning your motorcycle, your

authorized BMW Motorrad dealer will gladly 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		3 Status indicators . . . . .	19	Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	47
the end of this Rider's Manual		Multifunction display . . . . .	20	Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	47
to find a specific topic.		Warning and indicator		Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
1 General instructions . . .	5	lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	20	Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	49
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	6	ABS warning lightOE . . . . .	20	Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	51
Abbreviations and		Function indicators . . . . . .	20	Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . .	52
symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	6	General warning		Front and rear seats . . . . .	53
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	7	indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	21	Helmet holder . . . . . . . . . . .	55
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . .	7	ABS warning		Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	56
Currentness of this		indicatorsOE . . . . . . . . . . . . .	27	Adjusting windshield . . . . .	56
manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	7	4 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . .	35	Spring preload . . . . . . . . . .	57
2 Overviews . . . . . . . . . . . . .	9	Ignition switch and		Shock absorbers . . . . . . . .	58
General view, left side . . .	11	steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . .	36	Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	59
General view, right		Electronic immobilizer		5 Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	61
side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	13	EWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	37	Safety instructions . . . . . . .	62
Underneath seat . . . . . . . . .	14	Hazard warning		Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	64
Left handlebar fitting . . . . .	15	flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	38	Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	64
Handlebar fitting, right . . .	16	Tripmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	39	Starting off with BMW
Instrument cluster . . . . . . .	17	Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	41	Integral ABSOE . . . . . . . . . .	67
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	18	Onboard computerOE . . . .	42	Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	67
		Emergency ON/OFF		Driving offroad . . . . . . . . . . .	68
		switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	46	Parking your
		Heated hand gripsOE . . . . .	46	motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	69

Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 General brake system . . . . 72 Brake system with BMW Integral ABSOE . . . . . . . . . . 73

6 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . 79

General instructions . . . . . 80 Onboard socket . . . . . . . . . 80 Luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 CaseOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 TopcaseOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . 91

General instructions . . . . . 92 Toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 General brake system . . . . 95 Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Front wheel stand . . . . . . 108 Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

	Removing right side		Transmission . . . . . . . . . . .	139
	panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	121	Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . .	140
	Installing right side		Running gear . . . . . . . . . . .	140
	panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	122	Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	141
	Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . .	122	Wheels and tires . . . . . . . .	141
	Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	123	Electrical system . . . . . . .	143
	8 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	127	Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	144
	Care products . . . . . . . . . .	128	Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . .	145
	Washing your		Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	145
	motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . . . .	128	10 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . .	147
	Cleaning sensitive		BMW Motorrad
	motorcycle parts . . . . . . .	129	Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	148
	Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	130	BMW Motorrad Service
	Protective wax		Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	148
	coating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	130	BMW Motorrad Service
	Storing motorcycle . . . . .	130	Card - On-the-spot
	Returning motorcycle to		breakdown
	use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	131	assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . .	149
	9 Technical data . . . . . . .	133	BMW Motorrad Service	149
	Troubleshooting		Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
			Maintenance work	149
	chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	134
	Threaded fasteners . . . . .	135	Maintenance	150
	Engine	136	schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
			Confirmation of
	Riding specifications	139
			maintenance work	151
	Clutch	139

Confirmation of

service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

General instructions

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abbreviations and symbols . . . . . . 6 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Currentness of this manual . . . . . . . 7

5

instructionsGeneral

6

General instructions

Overview

Chapter 2 of this Rider's Manual will provide you with an initial overview of your motorcycle. All maintenance and repair work carried out on your motorcycle will be documented in Chapter 10. Proof of the maintenance work performed is a prerequisite for generous treatment of claims. Should you want to sell your BMW one day, please also remember to turn over the Rider's Manual to the new owner; it is an important part of your motorcycle.

Abbreviations and symbols

Indicates warnings that you must comply with for

reasons of your safety and the safety of others, and to pro-

tect your motorcycle against damage.

Special information 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

equipment-dependent information.

Tightening torque.

	Technical data.
OE	Optional equipment
	BMW equipment avail-
	able only as a factory
	installed option.
OA	Optional accessories
	BMW optional acces-
	sories can be pur-
	chased and installed
	at your authorized
	BMW Motorrad retail-
	er.

EWS Electronic immobilizer.

DWA Anti-theft alarm.

ABS Anti-Lock Brake Sys-

tem.

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.

7

instructionsGeneral

8

instructionsGeneral

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

9

Overviews

10

Overviews

General view, left side

1Clutch fluid reservoir ( 100)

2Headlight adjustment (vertical), beneath instrument panel ( 52)

3Adjusting rear damping ( 58)

4Seat lock ( 54)

5 Onboard socket ( 80)

6Filler neck, engine oil ( 95)

7 Oil sight glass ( 94)

8Adjusting front spring preload ( 58)

9Onboard socket (OA) ( 80)

10Adjustable windshield ( 56)

11

Overviews

12

Overviews

General view, right side

1Fill location for fuel ( 71)

2Vehicle Identification Number on steeringhead bearing

3Brake-fluid reservoir, front ( 97)

4Air filter (under tank cover) ( 119)

5Adjustable footbrake lever ( 48)

6Adjuster, spring preload, rear ( 57)

7Brake-fluid reservoir, rear ( 99)

13

Overviews

14

Overviews

Underneath seat

1Battery ( 125)

2Rider's Manual (US Model)

3Toolkit ( 93)

4Flat tire set (OA) below onboard toolkit

5 Helmet holder ( 55)

Left handlebar fitting

1Tripmaster or onboard computer button (OE) ( 39)

2 ABS button (OE) ( 77)

3Additional headlight switch (OE) ( 51)

4Pushbutton, horn

5Button for left turn indicator and hazard warning flashers ( 52) ( 38)

6Switch, high-beam headlight and headlight flasher ( 50)

15

Overviews

Handlebar fitting, right

	1	Emergency ON/OFF
		switch ( 46)
16	2
		Pushbutton, starter
	3	( 64)
		Button for right turn indi-
Overviews		cator and hazard warning
		flashers ( 52) ( 38)
	4	Off button for turn indica-
		tor and hazard warning
		flashers ( 53) ( 39)
	5	Heated hand-grip switch
		(OE) ( 46)

Instrument cluster

1 Speedometer

2Tachometer

3Warning and indicator lights ( 21)

4Multifunction display ( 21)

5Indicator light for antitheft alarm (OE) and sensor for instrument cluster lighting

6Clock setting and Tripmaster operation ( 41) ( 39)

17

Overviews

Headlight

1 Low-beam headlight 18 2 High-beam headlight 3 Parking lights

Overviews

Status indicators

Multifunction display. . . . . . . . . . . 20 Warning and indicator lights . . . 20 ABS warning lightOE . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Function indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 General warning indicators. . . . . 21 ABS warning indicatorsOE . . . . . . 27

19

Status indicators

20

Status indicators

Multifunction display

1Clock

2Area for warning symbols ( 21)

3Area for displays of onboard computer (OE)

4 Gear indicator ( 20)

5Engine-oil temperature display ( 21)

6Display, Tripmaster ( 39)

7Fuel gauge ( 20)

Warning and indicator lights

1Indicator light, left turn indicator

2Indicator light, high-beam headlight

3 Warning lamp, general

4 Indicator light, neutral

5 ABS warning light (OE)

6Indicator light, right turn indicator

ABS warning lightOE

In some countries a different display of the ABS warning light is possible.

Alternative display of

ABS warning light.

Function indicators

Fuel capacity

The horizontal bars under the gas pump sym-

bol indicated the remaining fuel quantity.

Gear

Engaged gear is indicated.

If no gear is engaged, the gear indicator displays 0; the 'neutral' indicator light also lights up.

Engine oil temperature

The lateral bars under the temperature symbol

show the engine oil temperature level.

General warning indicators

Display

General warnings are displayed by means of texts and symbols in the multifunction display. In some cases, an additional general warning light lights up red or yellow.

A number of warnings may be issued simultaneously.

21

Status indicators

22

Status indicators

Overview of warning indicators
Display		Meaning
Lights up yellow	EWS! warning	Electronic immobilizer is active
	appears.	( 24)
Lights up yellow	FUEL! warning	Fuel down to reserve ( 24)
	appears.
Lights up yellow	Is indicated	Engine electronics ( 24)
Flashes red 4x	Is indicated	Engine oil pressure insufficient
per second		( 25)
	"Check oil lev-	Engine oil level too low ( 25)
	el" symbol with
	CHECK OIL
	warning appears.
Lights up red	Is indicated	Battery charge current insufficient
		( 26)
Lights up yellow	LAMPR! warning	Rear bulb defective ( 26)
	appears.
	LAMPF! warning	Front bulb defective ( 26)
	appears.
Lights up yellow	LAMPS! warning	Bulbs defective ( 27)
	appears.

Display		Meaning
	DWA! warning	Anti-theft alarm battery weak (OE)
	appears.	( 27)
Lights up yellow	DWA! warning	Anti-theft alarm battery dead (OE)
	appears.	( 27)

23

Status indicators

Electronic immobilizer is active

			General warning lamp
	24
			lights up yellow.
			EWS! warning appears.
			The key being used is not au-
		indicators	thorized for starting, or com-
			from the ignition key ring.
			munication between the key
			and engine electronics is dis-
			rupted.
			Remove other vehicle keys
		Status	Use the reserve key.
			Have the defective key re-
			placed, preferably by an
			authorized BMW Motorrad
			retailer.
			Fuel down to reserve
			General warning lamp
			lights up yellow.
			FUEL! warning appears.

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.

The Tripmaster indicates the probable residual op-

erating range.

At the most, the fuel tank still contains the reserve fuel quantity.

Reserve fuel quantity

1.1 gal (4 l) Refueling ( 71)

Engine electronics

General warning lamp lights up yellow.

Engine electronics symbol is displayed.

The engine is running

in emergency operating mode. Engine power may be reduced, and this can cause hazardous situations, particularly if you attempt to overtake other road users.

Adapt your style of riding to the reduced level of engine power.

The engine-electronics control unit has diagnosed a fault. In exceptional cases, the engine stops and can no longer be started. Otherwise, the engine runs in 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 lamp flashes red four times

per second.

Engine oil pressure symbol is displayed.

The oil pressure in the lubricating oil circuit is too low.

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.

The cause of the warning on insufficient engine oil pressure can be an insufficient engine oil level.

Checking engine oil level ( 94)

When oil level is too low: Topping up engine oil ( 95)

If the warning on insufficient engine oil pressure appears despite a correct engine oil level:

In addition to an insufficient engine oil level,

other problems in the engine can lead to the warning on insufficient engine oil pressure. Continuing to ride in these cases can cause engine damage.

If this warning appears, do not continue to ride even though the engine oil level might be correct.

Do not continue driving. Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible by a specialized workshop,

preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.

Engine oil level too low

"Check oil level" symbol with CHECK OIL warn-

ing appears.

The electronic oil level sensor has detected a low engine oil level.

The exact engine oil level can only be determined by conducting a check on the oil sight glass. During the next refueling stop:

Checking engine oil level ( 94)

When oil level is too low: Topping up engine oil ( 95)

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.

25

Status indicators

When oil level is too low:

			Contact a specialized work-
			shop, preferably an autho-
26			rized BMW motorcycle re-
			tailer.
		Battery charge current
	indicators	insufficient
				General warning lamp
				lights up red.
				Battery charge current
	Status			symbol is displayed.
				A discharged battery can
				result in the engine cut-
		ting out unexpectedly, caus-
		ing a hazardous situation.
		Have faults eliminated as
		soon as possible.

If the battery is no longer charged, continued

driving can lead to deep discharging, and therefore to the destruction of the battery. If possible, do not continue driving.

The battery is not being charged.

Continued driving is possible until the battery is discharged. However, the engine can die suddenly and the battery can be exhaustively discharged and therefore destroyed.

Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible by a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.

Rear bulb defective

General warning lamp lights up yellow.

LAMPR! warning appears.

A defective bulb places your safety at risk be-

cause it is easier for other users to oversee you and your motorcycle.

Replace defective bulbs as

soon as possible; always carry a complete set of spare bulbs if possible.

Tail light or brake light bulb defective.

Replacing brake and rear light bulb ( 114)

Front bulb defective

LAMPF! warning appears.

A defective bulb places your safety at risk be-

cause it is easier for other users to oversee you and your motorcycle.

Replace defective bulbs as soon as possible; always carry a complete set of spare bulbs if possible.

Low-beam headlight, highbeam headlight, parking light or turn signal bulb defective. Replacing high-beam bulb

( 112)

Replacing low-beam bulb ( 110)

Replacing parking light bulb ( 113)

Replacing front and rear turn indicator bulbs ( 115)

Bulbs defective

General warning lamp lights up yellow.

LAMPS! warning appears.

A defective bulb places your safety at risk be-

cause it is easier for other users to oversee you and your motorcycle.

Replace defective bulbs as soon as possible; always carry a complete set of spare bulbs if possible.

A combination of several bulb defects is present.

See the fault descriptions above.

Anti-theft alarm battery weak (OE)

DWA! warning appears. The anti-theft alarm battery

no longer has its full capacity. The operation of the anti-theft alarm is only ensured for a limited time with the motorcycle battery disconnected.

Contact a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.

Anti-theft alarm battery dead (OE)

General warning lamp lights up yellow.

DWA! warning appears. The anti-theft alarm battery has no capacity. The operation of the anti-theft alarm is no longer ensured with the motorcycle battery disconnected.

Contact a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer.

ABS warning indicatorsOE

Display

ABS warnings are indicated by a combination of the general warning light and the ABS warning light. Both warning lights can light up continuously or flash at a rate of one or four flashes per second.

The ABS warning light is shown in two versions depending on country:

Display 1.

Display 2.

27

Status indicators

The warning indicators in this chapter are described using

display 1.

28

Status indicators