BMW MOTORRAD R 850 R 2003 Rider's Manual (in English)

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3
Your first journey
Safe motorcycling does not
depend on the motorcycle
alone.
Your own skill and common-
sense are needed too.
The key to genuine safety on
the road is a sensible balance
between the motorcycle’s tech-
nical features and the rider ’s
skill, so that together they form
a single efficient unit.
Riding safely in traffic calls for a
sense of responsibility to your
passenger and to other road
users.d Warning:
Do not ride the motorcycle af-
ter drinking alcoholic bever-
ages. Even small amounts of
alcohol or drugs, particularly
if taken in conjunction with
medicines, will adversely af-
fect your perception and your
ability to assess situations
and make decisions, and also
slow down your reflexes.
Take to the road now by all
means, but think carefully about
everything you do.
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Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 68)
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION remains
available for slowing the
motorcycle (
b 71).
Under these circumstances
you must apply CONSIDERA-
BLY higher pressure to the
brake levers in order to apply
the brakes, and lever travel is
longer
2(Optional extra
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
d Warning:
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a health
hazard and can even cause
loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not run the engine in an
enclosed space.
Risk of fatal accidentYour motorcycle is equipped
with a digital engine manage-
ment system (Motronic) and a
high-power ignition system.
d Warning:
When the engine is running or
the ignition switched on, nev-
er touch electrically live parts
of the ignition system or the
digital engine electronics.
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Important notes
Catalytic converter
e 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 disconnected
 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.
d Warning:
Make sure that whether riding
or standing still or when the
motorcycle is parked, no eas-
ily flammable material (for ex-
ample 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 pro-
longed periods of time
– risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
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Placing motorcycle on
side stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
e 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
 Use your left foot at the exten-
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 dismount
 Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (
b 9)
 Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Side stand
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Removing motorcycle
from side stand
d Warning:
Note that on a motorcycle fitted
with BMW Integral ABS
OE only a
RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION (
b 71 ) is available if
the ignition is switched off.
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 (
b 9)
– 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
2(Optional extra
Side stand
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Placing motorcycle on
centre stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
centre stand extended.
e Attention:
Stop the engine before using
the centre 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 frame with your right
hand
 Place your right foot on the
extension pin of the centre
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 centre
stand
 Apply all your body weight to
the centre stand
 Pull the motorcycle to the rear
and upwards (arrow) until it
rests on the centre stand
 Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Centre stand
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Removing motorcycle
from centre stand
d Warning:
Note that on a motorcycle fit-
ted with BMW Integral ABS
OE
only a RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION (
b 71) is available if
the ignition is switched off.
Make sure the centre stand is
fully retracted before you ride
off.
2(Optional extra
 Turn the ignition key to the " R"
or " ON" position (
b 9)
– Handlebars unlocked
 Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
 Hold the frame with your right
hand
 Push the motorcycle forward
off the centre stand
 Check that the centre stand
has fully retracted
Centre stand
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e Attention:
Exceeding the specified engine
speeds while running in will lead
to increased engine wear.
\f Note:
While running in the motorcy-
cle, vary the throttle opening
and engine-speed range
frequently.
Try to do most of your riding
during this initial period on
twisting, fairly hilly roads rather
than high-speed main roads
and highways.
Running-in engine speedsFrom 0 to 1,000 km
 Engine speed max. 4,000 rpm
and no full-load acceleration
 Do not omit the first inspec-
tion after 1,000 km
Make an appointment with
your authorised BMW motor-
cycle dealer in good time, so
that the work can be per-
formed punctually.
From 1,000 to 2,000 km
 Engine speeds can be gradu-
ally increased after 1,000 km
 Avoid lengthy periods at full
load until 2,000 km have been
covered
Running in
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Running in
Running in new brake
pads
d Warning:
New brake pads must "bed
down" and therefore do not
achieve their optimum friction
levels during the first 500 km.
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.
e Attention:
Comply with the notes on BMW
Integral ABSOE (b 68-75).
Running in new tyres
d 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
achieve maximum grip.
OEOptional extra
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Switch on the ignition–Move the kill switch to the run
position A
 Ignition switch ON (
b 9)
In an emergency only:
 Move switch 1 to the B
position.
– The Motronic, fuel pump and
starter motor electrical cir-
cuits are de-energised\f Note:
If you move the kill switch to the
B position while the ignition is
on (switch in ON position, the
BMW Integral ABS
OE remains
operational (
b 68-75).
OEOptional extra
Before you start
A
B
B
1
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