brakes BMW MOTORRAD F 650 GS DAKAR 2003 Rider's Manual (in English)

2
Introduction
12
i
General information and
controls
General view, left side ........... 4
General view, right side ......... 5
Cockpit ................................. 6
Telltale and warning lights ..... 7
Ignition switch and
steering lock ...................... 8-9
Odometer/clock .................. 10
Hazard warning flashers ...... 11
Handlebar fitting ............ 12-13
Seat .................................... 14
Topcase .........................15-16
System case .................. 17-21 Safety check
Checklist ........................ 22-23
Engine oil ....................... 24-25
Fuel ................................ 26-27
Handlebar levers ............ 28-29
Brakes ........................... 30-34
Shock-absorbers ................ 35
Spring preload .................... 36
Drive chain ......................... 37
Loads............................. 38-39
Wheels ........................... 40-42
Coolant .............................. 43
Lights ............................. 44-45
Contents
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30
Safety check
2
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Checking the brake sys-
tem
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore,
always check the resistance
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Brakes
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1
31
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking brake pads
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
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32
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoirs for the front or rear
brakes has dropped below
the MIN mark (
b 33, 34) have
the brake system checked
without delay by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing the brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly by
a specialist workshop, prefer-
ably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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1
33
Safety check
2
Brakes
Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark).
• Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it
upright
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm.  Move the handlebars to the
straight-ahead position
 Check brake fluid level at sight glass:
MIN Minimum level
Halfway up sight glass
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
MIN
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34
Safety check
2
Checking rear brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark on the brake fluid reser-
voir
 Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it verti-
cal
– Make sure the ground is
level and firm.  Check the brake fluid level:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to drop.
Brakes
MAX
MIN
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3
62
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brakes
Wet bra kesAfter the motorcycle has been
washed, ridden through water
or ridden in the rain, the brake
discs and pads may be wet (or
iced-over in winter), and may
not take effect immediately.
d Warning:
The brakes have to dry before
they start to bite.
Salt on brakesThe brakes may fail to take
effect immediately if the motor-
cycle was ridden on salt-cov-
ered roads and the brakes were
not applied for some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads has to be
worn off before the brakes
start to bite.
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3
63
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brakes
Dirt or mud on brakesWhen riding on loose surfaces
or muddy roads, the brakes
may fail to take effect immedi-
ately because of dirt or mois-
ture on the discs or brake pads.
d Warning:
The brakes have to clean
themselves before they start
to bite.
Dirt on the brakes increases
the rate of pad wear.
Oil and grease on brakes
d Warning:
Brake discs and pads must be
free from oil and grease.
d Warning:
If the brake lever can be moved
right to the limit of its travel,
this indicates a mechanical
or hydraulic fault. The brake
system is defective.
Immediately consult a special-
ist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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3
64
Starting – Riding – Parking
ABSOE – familiarisation phase
Sensitive electronic con-
trol
It takes skill and sensitive con-
trol of the brakes to pull up
safely on a motorcycle. If the
front wheel brake locks and the
wheel skids, the necessary lon-
gitudinal and lateral stabilising
forces are lost, and a fall can
result.
For this reason, the rider sel-
dom makes full use of available
braking performance in an
emergency.
Anti-lock braking at both
wheels greatly reduces the risk
of accidents even when road
conditions are poor, and short-
ens braking distance by making
more efficient use of the motor-
cycle’s braking capability.
ABS helps optimise safety in
emergency-braking situations
when the motorcycle is travel-
ling in a straight line.
Extra safety reservesBut remember: the potentially
shorter braking distances
which ABS permits must not be
used as an excuse for careless
riding. ABS is primarily a means
of ensuring a safety margin in
genuine emergencies.
– Never ride without due care and attention, or assume that
good fortune will protect you
from your own foolhardiness
– Keep within the permitted speed limits
– Take care when cornering. When you apply the brakes on
a corner, the motorcycle's
weight and momentum take
over and even ABS is unable
to counteract their effects
OEOptional extra
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3
66
Starting – Riding – Parking
The ABS is taking effect:– if a pulsating sensation is per-ceptible through the hand-
brake lever or brake pedal
when you apply the brakes
L Note:
Pulsation at the brake lever indi-
cates that the ABS is in action.
The ABS prevents the rear
wheel lifting, depending on rid-
ing style and the applicable
boundary conditions.
e Attention:
If the brake lever can be moved
right to the limit of its travel, this
indicates a mechanical or hy-
draulic fault.
It is advisable to consult an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer, and have the problem
rectified.
OEOptional extra
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)OE
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