BMW R 1200 GS Adventure (US) 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 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 manual . . . . 7
2 Overviews . .. .. ... .. .. .. ... 9
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
3 Status indicators . .. .. .. 19
Standard displays . . . ......... 20
Displays with onboard com-
OE
puter
Displays with Tire Pressure
Control RDC
...................... 21
OE
............... 22
Standard warning indica-
tors ........................... 22
Warning indicators of onboard computer
ABS displays
ASC displays
RDC displays
Anti-theft alarm
displays
OE
........... 26
OE
.............. 28
OE
.............. 30
OE
.............. 33
OE
.................... 37
4 Operation .. .. .. ... .. .. .. . 41
Ignition switch and steering
lock . . . . . . .................... 42
Electronic immobilizer
EWS ......................... 43
Clock . . . . . .................... 44
Odometer and tripmeters . . . . 45
Onboard computer
Tire Pressure Control
OE
RDC
....................... 51
OE
........ 48
Lights . . . . .................... 52
Turn indicators . . ............. 53
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . . 54
Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . .................... 55
Heated hand grips
BMW Motorrad Integral
OE
ABS
....................... 56
Automatic Stability Control
OE
ASC
....................... 57
OE
......... 56
Seat height . . . . . . ............. 58
Windshield . . . . . . ............. 59
Clutch . . . . .................... 59
Brakes . . . .................... 60
Shift lever .................... 62
Mirrors . . . .................... 62
Spring preload . . ............. 63
Damping . .................... 64
Tires . . . . . .................... 65
Headlight . .................... 66
Front and rear seats . ......... 67
Helmet holder . . . ............. 69
5 Riding .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 71
Safety instructions . . ......... 72
Checklist . .................... 73
Starting. . . .................... 74
Running in . . . . . . ............. 77
Driving offroad . . ............. 77
Brakes . . . .................... 78
Parking your motorcycle . . . . . 79
Refueling . . . . ................. 81
6 Technology in detail . .. 83
Brake system with BMW Motorrad Integral ABS
Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC
Tire Pressure Control
OE
RDC
....................... 88
OE
........ 84
OE
...... 86
7 Accessories .. .. .. .. .. .. . 89
General instructions . . . . ...... 90
Onboard socket . ............. 90
Luggage . . . . ................. 91
OA
Case
Topcase
...................... 92
OA
................... 95
8 Maintenance . .. ... .. .. .. 99
General instructions . . . . .... 100
Toolkit...................... 100
Engine oil . . . ............... 101
General brake system . . .... 103
Brake pads . . ............... 103
Brake fluid . . . ............... 105
Clutch ...................... 107
Tires . ...................... 108
Rims . ...................... 109
Wheels . . . . . . ............... 109
Front wheel stand . . . . . . .... 114
Lamps...................... 116
Air filter . . . . . . ............... 124
Removing right side pan-
el........................... 126
Installing right side pan-
el........................... 126
Jump-starting . . . ........... 127
Battery . . . . . . ............... 128
9 Care . .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 133
Care products . . . ........... 134
Washing your motorcy-
cle.......................... 134
Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts . . . . . ............... 134
Paint care . . . ............... 135
Protective wax coating . .... 136
Storing motorcycle . . . . . .... 136
Returning motorcycle to
use......................... 136
10 Technical data . .. .. .. 137
Troubleshooting chart . . .... 138
Threaded fasteners . . . . .... 139
Engine . . . . . . ............... 141
Fuel . . ...................... 142
Engine oil . . . ............... 142
Clutch ...................... 144
Transmission ............... 144
Rear-wheel drive ........... 145
Running gear ............... 145
Brakes . . . . . . ............... 146
Wheels and tires ........... 147
Electrical system ........... 150
Frame ...................... 153
Dimensions . ............... 153
Weights . . . . . ............... 154
Riding specifications . . . .... 154
11 Service . .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 155
BMW Motorrad Service .... 156
BMW Motorrad Service
Quality . . . . . . ............... 156
BMW Motorrad Service
Card - On-the-spot break-
down assistance ........... 156
BMW Motorrad Service
Network . . . . . ............... 157
Maintenance work . . . . . . .... 157
Confirmation of mainte-
nance work . . ....
........... 158
Confirmation of service . . . . . 163
Reporting
.
Safety Defects
.........
170
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.
TPC Tire Pressure Control.
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.
1
7
z
General instructions
1
8
z
General instructions
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
2
9
z
Overviews
2
10
z
Overviews
General view, left side
1 Clutch fluid reservoir
( 107)
2 Headlight range adjustment
(below instrument cluster)
( 67)
3 Adjustment of rear damping
( 64)
4 Seat lock ( 67)
5 Onboard socket ( 90)
6 Engine oil level indicator
( 101)
7 Engine oil fill location
( 102)
8 Adjusting front spring
preload ( 63)
9 Onboard socket (OA)
( 90)
10 Windshield ( 59)
2
11
z
Overviews
2
12
z
Overviews
General view, right side
1 Fuel filler opening ( 81)
2 Vehicle Identification Num-
ber on steering-head bearing
3 Brake-fluid reservoir, front
( 103)
4 Air filter (under tank cover)
( 124)
5 Adjustable footbrake lever
( 61)
6 Adjuster for spring preload,
rear ( 63)
7 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
( 106)
2
13
z
Overviews
Underneath seat
2
1 Battery ( 128)
2 Rider's Manual (US Model)
14
3 Toolkit ( 100)
4 Flat tire set (OA) below
toolkit
5 Helmet holder ( 69)
z
Overviews
Left handlebar fitting
1 Operating odometer
( 45), Operating onboard
computer
2 Operating the ASC
( 57)
3 ABS operation
4 Horn
5 Turn indicators, left ( 53),
Hazard warning flashers
( 54)
6 Headlight flasher and high-
beam headlight ( 52)
OE
( 48)
OE
OE
( 56)
2
15
z
Overviews
Handlebar fitting, right
2
1 Emergency ON/OFF switch
16
z
( 55)
2 Starter button ( 74)
3 Turn indicators, right
( 53), Hazard warning
flashers ( 54)
4 Turn indicators off ( 54),
Hazard warning flashers off
( 55)
5 Heated hand grips
( 56)
Overviews
OE
Instrument cluster
1 Speedometer
2 Tachometer
3 Indicator lights ( 20)
4 Multifunction display
( 20)
5 Anti-theft alarm indicator
light (OE) and sensor for
instrument lighting
6 Selecting readings ( 45)
Resetting tripmeter ( 46)
Setting clock ( 44)
The instrument-cluster
lighting has automatic day
and night switchover.
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 comput-
erOE................................. 21
Displays with Tire Pressure Control
OE
RDC
Standard warning indicators . . ....... 22
Warning indicators of onboard com-
puterOE.............................. 26
ABS displays
ASC displaysOE...................... 30
RDC displaysOE..................... 33
Anti-theft alarm displays
.............................. 22
OE
...................... 28
OE
.......... 37
3
19
z
Status indicators
Standard displays
3
Multifunction display
20
1 Clock ( 44)
2 Gear indicator ( 20)
3 Engine temperature ( 20)
4 Odometer and tripmeters
z
Status indicators
( 45)
5 Fuel capacity ( 20)
Indicator lights
1 Turn indicators, left
2 High-beam headlight
3 Idling
4 Turn indicators, right
Fuel capacity
The horizontal bars under
the gas pump symbol indicate 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
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 is briefly displayed following the pre-ride
check. The month and year are
shown as two digits each separated by a dash; in this example
the display means "March 2007".
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 600 miles
(1,000 km), the remaining miles
(kilometers) are 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 already
more than one month before the service date, or if the
Service lettering does not stop
after the service date is exceeded, then the date stored in the
instrument cluster must be set.
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
OE
OE
( 48)
computer
1 Onboard computer display
area
3
21
z
Status indicators
Displays with Tire
3
Pressure Control
OE
RDC
22
Standard warning indicators
Display
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
1 Tire inflation pressures al-
ternating with clock, with
z
onboard computer as ad-
Status indicators
ditional value of onboard
computer
OE
( 51)
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.
Overview of warning indicators
Meaning
Lights up yellow EWS ! appears on
Lights up yellow
Lights up yellow Is indicated Engine in emergency-operation mode
Flashes red Is indicated
the display.
FUEL ! appears
on the display.
Electronic immobilizer is active ( 24)
Fuel down to reserve ( 24)
( 24)
Engine oil pressure insufficient ( 24)
3
23
Lights up red Is indicated
Lights up yellow
LAMPR ! appears
on the display.
LAMPF ! appears
on the display.
Lights up yellow
LAMPS ! appears
on the display.
Battery charge current insufficient
( 25)
Rear bulb defective ( 25)
Front bulb defective ( 26)
Bulbs defective ( 26)
z
Status indicators
Electronic immobilizer is
active
3
24
General warning light shows
yellow.
EWS ! appears on the display.
The key being used is not authorized 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.
z
Status indicators
Fuel down to reserve
General warning light shows
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.
At the most, the fuel tank still
contains the reserve fuel quantity.
Reserve fuel quantity
1.1 gal ( 4 l)
Refueling ( 81)
Engine in emergencyoperation mode
General warning light shows
yellow.
Engine symbol appears on
the display.
The engine is in the emer-
gency operating mode. Only reduced engine performance
may be available, which can lead
to danger driving situations, es-
pecially during passing maneuvers.
Adapt your driving style to
the possibly reduced engine
performance.
The engine control unit has diagnosed 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.
Have the malfunction corrected
as soon as possible by a specialized workshop, preferably
an authorized BMW Motorrad
retailer.
Engine oil pressure
insufficient
General warning light flashes red.
Oil-can symbol appears on
the display.
The oil pressure in the lubricating
oil circuit is too low. Stop immediately and switch off the 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 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
( 101)
If oil level is too low:
Top up engine oil.
If the engine oil level is correct:
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
General warning light shows
red.
Battery symbol appears on
the display.
A discharged battery can
result in the engine cutting
out unexpectedly, causing 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 light shows
yellow.
LAMPR ! appears on the dis-
play.
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
3
25
z
Status indicators
complete set of spare bulbs if
possible.
3
Tail light or brake light bulb de-
26
fective.
Replacing brake and tail light
bulb ( 119)
Front bulb defective
LAMPF ! appears on the dis-
play.
A defective bulb places
your safety at risk because
it is easier for other users to
oversee the motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
z
Status indicators
soon as possible; always carry a
complete set of spare bulbs if
possible.
Low-beam headlight, high-beam
headlight, parking light or turn
indicator bulb defective.
Replacing low-beam/high-beam
bulb ( 116)
Replacing parking light bulb
( 118)
Replacing front and rear turn
indicator bulbs ( 120)
Bulbs defective
General warning light shows
yellow.
LAMPS ! appears on the dis-
play.
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.
A combination of several bulb
defects is present.
See the fault descriptions
above.
Warning indicators of
onboard computer
Display
Warnings of the onboard computer are shown in area 1.
The possible warnings are listed
on the next page.
OE
Overview of warning indicators
Meaning
Is indicated Engine oil level too low ( 28)
Check Oil ap-
pears on the display
Is indicated Ice warning ( 28)
3
27
z
Status indicators
Engine oil level too low
3
28
Oil level symbol appears on
the display.
Check Oil appears on the
display.
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
( 101)
If oil level is too low:
z
Status indicators
Topping up engine oil ( 102)
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.
Contact a specialized workshop, preferably an authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
Ice warning
Ice crystal symbol appears
on the display.
The ambient temperature measured at the motorcycle is lower
than 37 °F (3 °C).
The ice warning does not
mean that there is no risk
of black ice forming at measured
temperatures above 37 °F (3 °C).
Always think well ahead when
temperatures are low, especially
on bridges and where the road is
in the shade.
Think well ahead when driving.
ABS displays
Display
ABS warnings are indicated by
the ABS warning light 1.
In some countries an alternative
display of the ABS warning light
is possible.
Possible country-dependent
versions.
Additional information on the
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS is
provided from page ( 84); an
overview of the possible warnings
is provided on the following page.
OE
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