BMW MOTORRAD R 850 R 2004 Rider's Manual (in English)

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Environmental protection
Development …Motorcyclists have an intensive
relationship with nature. BMW
has made sure that they con-
tinue to enjoy the best possible
prospects for successful riding
in the future.
For instance, your new Boxer is
available with exhaust emission
control by closed-loop, three-
way catalytic converter.
… waste disposal …Behind the scenes, in the repair
shop, we do not neglect the
pro-environmental aspects of
our work either.
Wherever possible, we use
environmentally acceptable
biodegradable materials. We
ensure strict compliance with
all environmental legislation, for
example the correct disposal of
old oil, which is now classified
as hazardous waste in many
countries.
…recyclingAlongside the correct disposal
of environmentally hazardous
materials, recycling is another
high-priority issue for BMW.
For example, plastics that are
marked according to type can
more easily be returned to the
materials cycle. Remember:
when it comes to making
repairs to your motorcycle, the
authorised BMW motorcycle
workshop is far better equipped
to protect the environment than
you are at home.
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BMW rider’s equipment
The essentialsTo reach your destination safely
every time, there is only one
choice:
Helmet
Suit
 Gloves
 Boots
It is foolhardy to ride without
these items of clothing. This
even applies to short journeys,
and to every season of the year.
Well-planned riding
pleasure
Many motorcyclists have
learned the hard way that the
proper clothing contributes so
much to riding pleasure. You
must feel comfortable and
relaxed – and your own safety
must never be endangered.
There is no doubt about it:
when buying motorcycling
clothing, you simply cannot set
your sights too high. It is good
to know that the BMW brand
can be trusted to supply you
with safe, high-quality rider’s
clothing as well.
Information on the latest prod-
ucts is always available from
your BMW motorcycle dealer.
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BMW motorcycle equipment
Always an idea aheadThis is our motto – and it is one
we live up to. For many years
now, BMW has offered the
enthusiast everything capable
of enhancing the fascination of
motorcycling. A unique pro-
gramme that is regularly
updated and offers plenty of
scope for choosing items
according to individual prefer-
ences.
Ask your BMW motorcycle
dealer for the latest upgrades
and retrofits.Every accessory product is
made to the same exemplary
standards of design, function
and quality as the motorcycle
itself. This calls for a great deal
of experience, but our engi-
neers are themselves enthusi-
astic motorcyclists who know
what is needed. Accessories
and motorcycle equipment are
included when a new motor-
cycle is being developed, and
their practical features opti-
mised in a series of thorough
tests. This is your guarantee of
the high quality you expect from
BMW.
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Training means extra safety
Cornering and braking
need to be practiced
Develop a “sixth sense” for
potentially dangerous situa-
tions. What this means: look
ahead, plan how to avoid possi-
bly dangerous situations and
study other road users’ behav-
iour with a degree of healthy
scepticism.
– Take bends smoothly and rhythmically, avoiding violent
braking and acceleration
– Approach bends slower than
you feel they can be taken; a
neat riding style will get you to
your destination more safely
than sheer speed
– Ride at the inner edge of the
ideal line, look ahead and plan
to leave the bend as smoothly
as you entered it Allow for reaction time when
judging braking distances.
– At a speed of 50 km/h
(31 mph), for instance,
one second’s hesitation
means that about 14 metres
(46 feet) are covered addition-
ally before the brakes are
applied
– At 90 km/h (56 mph), this dis-
tance grows to 25 metres
(82 feet)
Practice applying the brakes
with and without an extra load
on the motorcycle, and study its
reactions on various kinds of
road surface.
Work up to the wheel lock limit
gradually.
BMW has a worthwhile safety
contribution to make in this area
too – BMW Safety Training.
These programmes are a won-
derful opportunity: systematic
basic and follow-up training
enables you to master situa-
tions close to the limit and keep
your motorcycle under
supreme control whatever hap-
pens.
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Concluding thoughts
Now it is your turn. Regular care is important, with all functions checked
before the journey starts
 Use only genuine BMW
accessories. They comply
with all the relevant safety
requirements and are per-
fectly matched to your BMW
 Your BMW Motorrad dealer is
best placed to service your
motorcycle
 Do not under any circum-
stances install unapproved
extras: the use of unapproved
accessories constitutes a
safety risk and voids your
insurance and the motorcy-
cles permit
 Technical modification should
be performed by a trained
mechanic at your BMW
Motorrad dealership
L Note:
Your local BMW Motorrad
dealer can supply you with use-
ful items to accompany the
Maintenance Instructions.
– BMW Repair Manual
–BMW set of circuit diagrams
It is good to know you have
thought of everything, isn't it?
Our aim is to make your
journey safer
We want you to reach your des-
tination safely – and for riding
your BMW Boxer to be the most
delightful leisure pastime in the
world!
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Index
AActive brake with ABSchanging brake fluid, 33
checking brake fluid level, 33
Anti-lock braking system notes, 68, 70-75
BBrake fluid
changing, 30
Brake fluid level
checking, 30
checking front, 31, 35
checking rear, 32, 36
Brake pads, checking, 29
Brake system checking, 28
general, 28, 29
with BMW Integral ABS, 33-36
without BMW Integral ABS, 30,
31, 32
Braking, precautions, 66
C
Capacity, 25
Catalytic converter, 51 safety instructions, 51
Centre stand, 54, 55
Checking brake fluid level, 30
Choke
cold start, 12, 61
Choke lever operation, 61
position, 12 Clock (in cockpit), 10
Closing the System case, 18
Clutch
fluid level, 37
lever, 26
Cockpit layout, 6
DDipswitch, 12
EEngine oil, 22 filler, 4, 23
level sight glass, 4
pressure warning light, 62
FFront brake
brake fluid level, 31, 35
brake fluid reservoir, 5
lever, 27
Fuel, 24 filler cap, 5
octane number, 25
refuelling, 24
Fuse box, 5
GGear shifts, 64, 65
General view
left side, 4
right side, 5
A - G
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Index
HHandlebar fittingleft, 12
right, 13
Handlebar levers, 26 clutch, 26
handbrake, 27
Hazard warning flashers, 11
Headlight beam throw adjustment, 38
Heated handlebar grips, 11, 13
Helmet holder, 14
High/low (dipped) headlight
switch, 12
Horn, 12
Hydraulic fluid clutch, 37
IIgnition switch and steering lock, 6
function, 8, 9
Ignition, switching on, 58, 59
Installing System case, 19
Instruments, 6
KKill switch, 13
LLight
general instructions, 38
headlight beam throw, 38
switch, 13
MMotorcycle equipment, 81
NNeutral, 59
OOctane number (fuel), 25
Odometer, 6
Oil filler, engine, 4, 22
Oil levelchecking, 22
engine oil pressure, 7, 62
sight glass, 4
Opening the System case, 17
Overheating, 60
PPower socket, 12 V, 4
RRear brake brake fluid reservoir, 5
Removing System case, 18
Residual braking, 34
Rev. counter, 6
Rider’s equipment, 80
Riding, 64
Running in, 57
H - R
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Index
SSafety check, 20
Safety instructionscatalytic converter, 51
general, 50, 51
Seat, 16
adjusting, 14, 15
closing the storage
compartment, 16
lock, 5
single, 16
Service worldwide, 78
Shock absorbers, 41
Side stand, 52, 53
Speedometer, 6
Spring preload, front, 42
Spring strut, 4
Starter button, 13
Starting the engine, 60
Storage compartment, 16
Storage-compartment cover, 16
System case, 17, 18, 19
T
Telltale lights ABS, 7, 63
battery charge, 7, 63
engine oil pressure, 7, 62
fuel tank level, 7, 62
high-beam headlights, 7
left turn indicator, 7
neutral, 7
right turn indicator, 7
Toolkit, 5, 16 Tread depth, tyres, 43
Trip meter, 6
Turn indicator switch
left, 12
right, 13
Turn indicators
telltale lights, 7
Turn-indicator cancel switch, 13
Type plate, 5
Tyre pressures, 44
Tyre valve caps, 43
Tyres running-in, 57
VValve caps, 43
WWarning lights
ABS, 7, 63
battery charge, 7, 63
engine oil pressure, 7, 62
fuel tank content, 7, 62
general, 7, 63
Wheels, 43
S - Z
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Index
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Index
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