BMW R 1200 RT 2005 Owner's Manual

Rider’s Manual

R 1200 RT

BMW Motorrad

Welcome to BMW

We congratulate you on your choice of a motorcycle from BMW and welcome you to the community of BMW riders. Familiarise 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 authorised BMW motorcycle dealer will gladly provide advice and assistance.

We hope you enjoy reading this Rider’s Manual and wish you many a pleasant, safe journey on your BMW motorcycle.

Best wishes,

BMW Motorrad

Introduction

Use the index (b 159), to find a certain topic quickly.

Welcome to BMW ........... 1

General information ......... 4

Overview ........................ 7

General view, left

side ................................. 9

General view, right

side ............................... 11

Introduction

Underneath the seat ...... 13

Handlebar fitting,

left ................................. 14

Handlebar fitting,

right .............................. 15

Instrument cluster ......... 16

Headlight ....................... 17

Status indicators .......... 19

Multifunction display ...... 20

Warning and telltale

lights ............................. 21

Warning indicators ........ 21

ABS warnings ............. 27

Operation ..................... 33

Ignition switch and

steering lock ................. 34

Electronic immobiliser .. 36 Hazard warning

flashers ......................... 37

Odometer and

tripmeters ..................... 37

Clock ............................ 38

Display dimming ........... 39

On-board computer Cruise control Emergency off

switch (kill switch) ......... 45

Grip heating Seat heating

Handlebar levers .......... 47

Lights ........................... 48

Turn indicators ............. 50

Stowage

compartment ................ 51

Front and rear seats ..... 52

Helmet holder ............... 54

Mirrors .......................... 55

.................. 39

........... 42

.............. 45

............. 46

Windscreen ................... 55

Spring preload .............. 55

Shock absorbers .......... 56

Wheels .......................... 57

Riding ........................... 59

Safety instructions ........ 60

Safety check ................. 62

First time out ................. 62

Before you start ............ 63

Starting ......................... 66

Riding ........................... 69

Running in .................... 69

Engine speed ................ 70

Shifting gear ................. 71

Placing motorcycle

on its side stand ........... 73

Removing motorcycle

from side stand ............. 75

Placing motorcycle on

centre stand ................. 77

Removing motorcycle

from centre stand ......... 79

Fuel ............................... 79

Brake system ................ 80

Accessories ................. 85

General instructions ..... 86

On-board sockets ........ 86

Luggage system ........... 89

Maintenance ................ 95

Toolkit .......................... 97

Engine oil ..................... 98

Brakes .......................... 99

Clutch ........................ 103

Wheels ....................... 103

Front-wheel stand ...... 111

Bulbs .......................... 112

Jump starting ............. 118

Battery ....................... 120

Splash guard .............. 123

Care ............................ 125

Cleaning and care .... 126

Laying up ................... 128

Restoring to use ......... 129

Technical data ............ 131

Threaded fasteners ..... 132

Tyre pressures .......... 134

Engine ........................ 135

Power transmission .... 136

Frame and

suspension ................. 137

Wheels and tyres ........ 139

Fuel and lubricants ..... 140

Electrical system ......... 143

Dimensions and

weights ....................... 145

Riding

specifications ............. 146

Service ........................ 147

BMW Motorrad

service ........................ 148

Confirmation of

maintenance work ...... 151

Confirmations of

service .......................... 155

Index ........................... 159

Introduction

General information

About this Rider’s Manual

We have tried to make all the

information in this Rider’s Manual easy to find. The quickest access to a particular topic or item is by consulting the detailed alphabetical index

b 159).

( Chapter 1 of this Rider’s Man-

Introduction

ual will provide you with an initial overview of your motorcycle. When the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember to hand over this Rider’s Manual; it is an important part of your motorcycle.

Symbols and abbreviations

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

operating and inspecting your motorcycle as well as maintenance and adjustment procedures.

c Indicates the end of an

item of information.

• Instruction.

» Result of an activity.

(

b 4) Reference to a page with

more detailed information.

OE Optional extra

Your motorcycle was assembled complete with all the optional extras you ordered.

OA Optional accessory

You can obtain optional accessories through your authorised BMW motorcycle dealer; optional accessories have to be retrofitted to the motorcycle.

EWS Electronic immobiliser

DWA Anti-theft alarm system

ABS Anti-lock braking system

Custom equipment

When you ordered your BMW motorcycle, you chose various items of custom equipment. This Rider’s Manual describes optional extras (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 countryspecific differences. If your BMW was supplied with equipment not described in this Rider’s Manual, you will find these features described in separate manuals.

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

Currency

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. Nor can errors and omissions be entirely ruled out. We hope you will appreciate that no

claims can be entertained on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this manual.

BMW Service

Advanced technology requires specially adapted methods of maintenance and repair.

If maintenance and repair

work is performed inexpertly, it could result in consequential damage and thus constitute a safety risk. BMW recommends that you have the necessary work on your motorcycle performed either by an authorised BMW motorcycle dealer or by a workshop that operates to BMW specifications and employs suitably trained personnel.c

Introduction

Your authorised BMW motorcycle dealer can provide infor-

mation on the specified

Service, Inspection and Annual Inspection work needed.

Have all maintenance and repair work carried out confirmed in the "Service" chapter

b 148) in this manual.

(

Introduction

Authorised BMW motorcycle dealers are supplied with the latest technical information and have the necessary technical know-how. Consequently, we recommend that you contact your authorised BMW motorcycle dealer if you have any questions regarding your motorcycle.

Rider’s equipment

Do not ride without the correct clothing. Always wear: –helmet – motorcycling jacket and

trousers – gloves –boots

This applies even to short journeys, and to every season of the year. Your authorised BMW motorcycle dealer will be glad to advise you on the correct clothing for every purpose.

General view, left side ................... 9

General view, right side................ 11

Underneath the seat .................... 13

Handlebar fitting, left ................... 14

Handlebar fitting, right ................. 15

Instrument cluster ........................ 16

Headlight ....................................... 17

Overview

General view, left side

1 Adjuster for headlight

beam throw underneath the instrument cluster

b 49)

(

2 Brake-fluid reservoir

(b 102)

3 Radio operating panel 4 On-board socket (b 86) 5 On-board socket

b 86)

(

6 Adjuster, rear shock

absorber (

7 Oil sight glass ( 8 Filler neck, engine oil

(b 99)

b 55)

OE/OA

b 98)

Overview

General view, right side

1 Seat lock (b 52) 2 Switch, rear-seat

3 Mount, tank rucksack

4 Filler neck, fuel tank 5 Brake-fluid reservoir, front

6 Electrically adjustable

7 Stowage or radio compart-

heating rear seat (

(

b 94)

b 102)

(

windscreen (

ment

underneath the

b 47)

(b 51)

b 55)

Overview

Underneath the seat

1 Height adjuster, front seat

b 53)

(

2 Battery ( 3 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear

b 102)

(

4 Adjuster, spring preload,

rear (b 55)

5 On-board toolkit ( 6 Type plate 7 Helmet holder ( 8 Table of tyre pressures 9 Label, payload

b 120)

b 97)

b 54)

Overview

Handlebar fitting, left

1 Switch, cruise controlOE

b 42)

(

2 Pushbutton, hazard warn-

ing flashers (

3 Radio operating panel 4 Pushbutton, windscreen

adjustment (

5 Pushbutton, horn

Overview

6 Pushbutton, left flashing

turn indicators (

7 Switch, high-beam head-

light and headlight flasher (

b 48)

b 37)

b 55)

b 50)

Handlebar fitting, right

1 Pushbutton, on-board

computer

2 Emergency off switch (kill

switch) (

3 Pushbutton, starter 4 Switch, grip heating

b 45)

(

5 Pushbutton, flashing turn

indicators, right (b 50)

6 Pushbutton, flashing turn

indicators off (

7 Switch, front-seat

heating

b 45)

(b 39)

b 51)

(b 46)

Overview

Instrument cluster

1 Speedometer 2 Warning and telltale

3 Multifunction display

4 Rev. counter 5 Telltale light, anti-theft

Overview

6 Adjuster, clock (b 38) 7 Control, odometer ( 8 Sensor, lights for instru-

day and night switchover. The brightness of the night setting is variable (

b 21)

lights (

b 20)

(

alarm

ment cluster

The instrument-cluster lighting has automatic

b 39).c

b 37)

Headlight

1 High-beam headlight 2 Low-beam headlight 3 Side light

Overview

Multifunction display .................... 20

Warning and telltale lights ........... 21

Warning indicators ....................... 21

ABS warnings .............................. 27

Status indicators

Multifunction display

1 Fuel gauge 2 Display, radio 3 Display area for warning

symbols

4 Gear indicator 5 Oil temperature gauge 6 Display, on-board com-

puter

7 Odometer 8 Display area for clock,

seat heating dimming.

Fuel capacity

The height of the bar indicates the level of fuel in

the fuel tank.

(b 39)

, display

Gear indicator

The gear indicator shows

which gear is selected. If no gear is engaged, the gear indicator displays 0; the ’neutral’ telltale light also lights up.

Oil temperature

The height of the bar indi-

cates the oil temperature.

Warning and telltale lights

1 Telltale light, left turn

indicator

2 Telltale light, high-beam

headlight

3 Telltale light, neutral 4 ABS warning light

n depending on

(or national-market specification)

5 Telltale light, right turn

indicator

6 Telltale light, cruise-control

system

7 Warning light, general

Warning indicators

Warnings are displayed by means of 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.

Warning lights and symbols in the display appear

only when the emergency off

b 45) (kill switch) is in

switch ( the ’run’ position.c

Status indicators

Overview

The warnings are listed in the table below, along with the page numbers of the pages you can

refer to for more information.

Light Symbol Meaning Explanations

Status indicators

Ignition key not authorised. (

Low-beam headlight, high-beam headlight, side-light or turn-indicator bulb defective. (

Ambient temperature below 3 °C (on-board computer

)(b 26)

yellow Fuel down to reserve (

yellow Fault in the engine electronics (

Rear light or brake light bulb defec-

yellow

tive (

yellow Front/rear bulbs defective (

red Engine-oil temperature too high (

b 36)

b 26)

b 24)

b 26)

b 24)

Light Symbol Meaning Explanations

red Engine-oil pressure too low (b 25)

red Battery is no longer being charged (

red Brake switch defective (

1 flash per second ABS pull-away test not completed (

4 flashes per second ABS self-diagnosis not completed (

Relay for ABS warning lights

red

defective (

1 flash per

red

second ABS function not available (

4 flashes per

red

1 red flash per second

4 red flashes per second

second ABS in residual braking mode (

1 flash per second Insufficient brake fluid (

4 flashes per second Two or more ABS faults (

b 26)

b 27)

b 28)

Status indicators

b 28)

b 29)

b 30)

b 31)

Electronic immobiliser

Status indicators

Immobiliser symbol is displayed.

The key being used is not authorised for starting, or communication between key and engine electronics is disrupted.

• Remove all other vehicle keys located near the ignition key (

• Use the reserve key.

• Have the defective key replaced, preferably by an authorised BMW motorcycle dealer (

b 34).

b 36).

Fuel reserve

General warning light lights up yellow. Fuel reserve symbol is displayed and flashes

10 times.

The fuel tank contains a fuel reserve of a maximum of 4 litres. The on-board computer shows the estimated residual operating range (

Lack of fuel can result in

the engine cutting out unexpectedly and this could result in a hazardous situation. Do not run the fuel tank dry.c

Lack of fuel could result

in misfiring and this in turn could damage the catalytic converter. Do not run the fuel tank dry.c

•Refuel.

b 39) .

Oil temperature

General warning light

lights up red.

Oil temperature gauge

flashes 10 times.

Oil temperature too high.

Continuing to ride with the engine overheated can

result in engine damage.c

• If possible, ride in the partload range to cool down the engine.

• Switch off the engine if you are caught in a traffic jam.

Engine electronics

General warning light lights up yellow. Engine electronics symbol is displayed.

Fault in the engine electronics. In exceptional cases, the engine stops and can no longer be started. Otherwise, the engine runs in emergency operating mode.

You can continue to ride, but bear in mind that the usual engine output is not available.

The engine is running in

emergency operating mode. Engine power might 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.c

Engine oil pressure

General warning light

lights up red.

Engine oil pressure sym-

bol is displayed.

Insufficient engine oil pressure The "engine oil pressure" warning indicates that there is no oil pressure or that the oil

pressure in the lubricating oil circuit is too low; under no circumstances is it to be regarded as fulfilling the function of an oil gauge. The warning must disappear when oil pressure builds up 1 to 2 seconds after the engine starts.

If the "engine oil pressure" warning is displayed while the motorcycle is being ridden, take account of the traffic situation and:

• Disengage the gear.

• Operate the kill switch.

• Bring the motorcycle safely to a halt.

• Check the engine oil level.

There are other engine-

related problems besides a low engine-oil level that can trigger the "engine-oil pressure" warning. Continuing to ride in these cases can cause engine damage. If the "engine oil pressure" warning is issued, do not continue to ride if a check shows that the engine oil level is correct.c

• Have the fault rectified by a

specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW motorcycle dealer.

Status indicators

Battery charge current

Status indicators

General warning light lights up red. Battery charge current symbol is displayed.

The battery is no longer being charged. You can continue to ride only until the battery is discharged.

A discharged battery can

result in the engine cutting out unexpectedly, causing a hazardous situation. If possible, do not continue your journey.c

• Have the fault rectified as

soon as possible by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW motorcycle dealer.

Defective bulb

A defective bulb places

your safety at risk because 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.c

General warning light

lights up yellow.

Defective bulb symbol

with arrow pointing to the rear is displayed.

Rear light or brake light bulb defective.

• Replace bulbs (

Defective bulb symbol

with arrow pointing to the front is displayed.

b 116).

Low-beam headlight, highbeam headlight, side-light or turn-indicator bulb defective.

• Replace bulbs (

General warning light lights up yellow. Defective bulb symbol with two arrows is dis-

played.

A combination of the bulb defects described above has occurred.

• Replace bulbs (

b 112).

Ice warning

Symbol for ice warning is

displayed (motorcycle with on-board computer only). The air temperature measured at the motorcycle is lower than 3 °C: Risk of black ice.

The ice warning does not

mean that there is no risk of black ice forming at measured temperatures above 3 °C. Always take extra care when temperatures are low and think well ahead; remember that the danger of black ice is particularly high on bridges and where the road is in the shade.c

ABS warnings

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

n depending

General warning light

General warning light red.

Brake switch defective or incorrectly adjusted. BMW Integral ABS detects the driver's braking request by the pressure build-up from the brake lever. There may be an unusual response from the brakes. You can continue to ride. However, bear in mind that the brakes may respond in a manner to which you are not accustomed.

There is a defect in the

brake system that can lead to abnormal braking. Think well ahead and brake carefully; avoid severe braking.c

Status indicators

• Have the fault rectified as soon as possible by a spe-

cialist workshop, preferably

an authorised BMW motorcycle dealer.

ABS warning light

ABS warning light flashes once per second.

ABS function not available because pull-away test ( not completed. You can continue to ride. To

Status indicators

prevent the wheels from locking:

• Do not use emergency braking until the pull-away test has been completed.

Without the ABS function, the wheels could

lock under braking.

b 69)

Think well ahead and brake carefully; avoid severe braking.c

ABS warning light flashes four times per second.

Only residual braking function available in both brake circuits, because self-diagnosis

b 65) has not completed.

( You can continue to ride. However, bear in mind that until self-diagnosis has completed, neither the ABS function nor the brake booster is available.

Without the ABS func-

tion, the wheels could lock under braking; without servo-assisted brakes, considerably greater force is required to brake.

Think well ahead and brake carefully; avoid severe braking.c

• If circumstances permit, do not apply the brakes until self-diagnosis has completed.

General warning light and ABS warning light

General warning light red.

ABS warning light ON.

The controller of the ABS warnings is defective. ABS faults cannot be displayed. You can continue to ride, but bear in mind that you will not receive warning of ABS faults, if they occur.

+ 144 hidden pages

BMW R 1200 RT 2005 Owner's Manual

Welcome to BMW

Table of contents

General information

General view, left side

General view, right side

Underneath the seat

Handlebar fitting, left

Handlebar fitting, right

Instrument cluster

Headlight

Multifunction display

Warning and telltale lights

Warning indicators

ABS warnings