BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 GT 2004 Rider's Manual (in English)

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Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
 Attention:
To avoid damage to the cata-
lytic converter:
• Do not run the fuel tank dry
• Push-start only when the
engine is cold
• Do not run the engine with a
spark-plug cap detached
• Do not exceed the engine- speed limits marked on the
revolution counter
• Comply with all specified
maintenance intervals
• Stop the engine at once if it
misfires
• In the event of misfiring or a severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer
If misfiring or malfunction of the
fuel-air mixture preparation sys-
tem causes unburned fuel to
reach the catalytic converter,
there is a risk of it overheating
and being damaged.
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly if a
catalytic converter is installed.
 Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material
(for example hay, grass,
leaves, clothing or luggage
etc.) can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.
Do not allow the engine to
idle unnecessarily or for a
lengthy period when the mo-
torcycle is at a standstill
— risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
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Starting – Riding – Parking
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Placing motorcycle on
side stand
 Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
 Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the side stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
On a gradient, the motorcycle
should always face uphill; se-
lect 1st gear. • Switch off the ignition
• Keep both feet on the ground
• Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
• Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
• Hold the motorcycle upright and balanced
• U s e y o u r le f t f o o t a t t h e e x t e n -
sion pin to extend the side
stand fully (arrow)
• Slowly lean the motorcycle to the side until its weight is
taken by the stand and dis-
mount from the motorcycle
• Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (

11)
• Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Side stand
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61
Starting – Riding – Parking
Removing motorcycle
from side stand
 Warning:
If the motorcycle is fitted with
BMW Integral ABS, only the
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION is available when the igni-
tion is switched off (

77) .
Make sure the side stand is
fully retracted before you ride
off.
– Allowing the motorcycle to roll with the side stand
extended represents a
safety risk. • Turn the ignition key to the “
R”
or “ ON” position (

11)
– handlebars unlocked
• Both feet on the ground, no weight on the motorcycle
• Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
• Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
• Slowly raise the motorcycle to
the upright position and keep
it balanced
• Sit on the motorcycle and use your left foot to retract the
side stand
Side stand
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Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Placing motorcycle on
main (centre) stand
 Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
main stand extended.
 Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the main stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
• Switch off the ignition
• Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand • Hold the lifting handle with
your right hand
• Place your right foot on the
extension pin of the main
stand and press it down until
the curved shoes of the stand
touch the ground
• Place your right foot on the
tread surface of the stand
• Apply all your body weight to the stand
• Pull the motorcycle to the rear and upwards until it rests on
the main stand
• Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Main (centre) stand
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63
Starting – Riding – Parking
Removing motorcycle
from main stand
 Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
main stand extended.
If the motorcycle is fitted with
BMW Integral ABS, only the
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION is available when the ig-
nition is switched off (
77) .
 Attention:
Make sure the main stand is ful-
ly retracted before you ride off. • Turn the ignition key to the “
R”
or “ ON” position(

11)
– handlebars unlocked
• Hold the left handlebar grip with your left hand
• Hold the lifting handle with
your right hand
• Push the motorcycle forward
off the main stand
• Check that the main stand
has fully retracted
Main (centre) stand
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Starting – Riding – Parking
3
 Attention:
Exceeding the specified engine
speeds while running in will lead
to increased engine wear.

Note:
While running in the motorcycle,
vary the throttle opening and
engine-speed range frequently.
Try to do most of your riding dur-
ing this initial period on twisting,
fairly hilly roads rather than high-
speed main roads and highways.
Running-in speedsFrom 0 to 1,000 km (600 miles)
• Engine speed max. 4,000 rpm and no full-load acceleration
• The first inspection should always be performed after
1,000 km (600 miles). Make an
appointment with your author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer in
good time, so that the work can
be performed punctually.
From 1,000 to 2,000 km
(600 to 1,200 miles)
• Engine speeds can be gradually increased after 1,000 km
(600 miles)
• Avoid lengthy periods at full
load until 2,000 km (1,200
miles) have been covered
Running in
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Starting – Riding – Parking
Running in
Running in new brake
pads
 Warning:
New brake pads must “bed
down” and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 500 km
(300 miles).
This slight initial reduction in
braking efficiency can be
compensated for by exerting
greater pressure on the lever.
Try to avoid all unnecessary
hard braking during this initial
period.
 Attention:
Comply with the notes on BMW
Integral ABS (
74-81).
Running in new tyres
 Warning:
New tyres have a smooth sur-
face. This must be roughened
by riding in a restrained man-
ner at various heel angles
until the tyres are run in.
This running in procedure is
essential if the tyres are to
reach their maximum level of
grip.
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Before you start
Switch on the ignition– Move the kill switch to the run position A
• Ignition switch ON
In an emergency only:
• Move switch 1 to the B
position.
– The Motronic, fuel pump and
starter motor electrical cir-
cuits are de-energised

Note:
If you move the kill switch to the
B position while the ignition is
on (switch in ON position), the
BMW Integral ABS remains op-
erational (

74-81).
Fully retract the side stand

Note:
If the side stand is extended
and a gear engaged, you can-
not start the motorcycle.
Select neutral– Neutral indicator light green
 is on (
7)
– Gear indicator shows “0”

Note:
Engine does not start:
– Move the gear lever to the

position or disengage the
clutch
Engine stops when first gear is
engaged:
– Fully retract the side stand; if
necessary, consult the trouble-
shooting chart (

Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
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Starting – Riding – Parking
BBA
2
1
Starting
 Warning:
Do not allow the engine to idle
unnecessarily or for a lengthy
period when the motorcycle is
at a standstill — risk of overheat-
ing or fire. Ride away immedi-
ately after starting the engine.
Avoid high engine speeds after
a cold start.
 Attention:
If you attempt to start the engine
when the battery is flat, you will
hear the relay chattering. Further
attempts will damage the starter
relay and starter motor. Before
trying again: charge the battery
(

Maintenance Instructions, Chapter 2).

Note:
Do not turn the throttle twistgrip
when starting the engine.
• Press starter pushbutton 2
– The engine starts
• Turn the throttle twistgrip carefully

Note:
At ambient temperatures below
0 °C, pull the lever to disengage
the clutch when starting the en-
gine.
Starting
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Starting – Riding – Parking
3
ABS warning lightThe ABS warning light 1 lights up
if the BMW Integral ABS develops
a fault (

81).
Warning light, general General warning light 2 lights up if
the BMW Integral ABS develops a
fault (

81), or if the tail light or
brake light is defective.
Low fuel levelWhen warning light 3 comes on,
there are still approximately
4 litres (0.9 gal) of fuel in the tank.
Engine oil pressureWarning light 4 goes out above
idle speed.
*n depending on national-market
specification
 Attention:
If warning light 4 comes on dur-
ing the journey, take the follow-
ing action as soon as traffic
conditions permit:
•Declutch
• Operate the kill switch
• Bring the motorcycle safely to
a halt
• Check engine oil level
(

30)
Top up with fresh oil if the oil
level is low. If the warning light
for engine oil pressure lights up
even though the oil level is cor-
rect, it is absolutely essential to
consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
Warning lights
1*2
43
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