engine 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
10R13bkg4.book Seite 2 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

11
4
General information and controls
1Oil filler check/dipstick,
engine oil (
b24)
2 Clutch lever (
b28)
3 Lifting handle (
b53)
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for
description
4 Seat lock (b14)
5 On-board socketOE
6Coolant tank (b43)
OEOptional extra
General view, left side
1342
65
10R13bkg4.book Seite 4 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

111
7
General information and controls
1Repeater,
flashing turn indicators left/
right green
J
2Warning light, ABS checkOE
red
D (b65)
3 Telltale light, high-beam
headlight, blue
q
4Warning light, engine oil
pressure, red
p (b59)
5 Warning light, coolant
temperature red
j (b58) 6
Telltale light,
neutral green
k
7Warning light, fuel
level down to approx.
4 litres (0.9 Imp. gal)
reserve, yellow
m
OEOptional extra
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for
description
Telltale and warning lights
13542
76
10r1301g4.fm Seite 7 Dienstag, 30. September 2003 1:36 13

1
23
Safety check
2
Checklist
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
– Fuel level
– Clutch-lever play
–Brake pressure
– Brake fluid levels (front and rear)
– Operation of the ABS warning
light
–Drive chain
– Shock-absorber setting and
spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition,
spokes, tread depth and tyre
pressures
–Loading
– Coolant level
–Lights – Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel), on the basis
of the following section:
– Engine oil level
(every second stop for fuel)
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, please contact
your BMW motorcycle dealer.
He will provide the necessary
advice and assistance.
10R13bkg4.book Seite 23 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

24
Safety check
2
Engine oil
Checking oil level
e Attention:
The red warning light
p (b7)
for engine oil pressure indicates
that the oil pump is delivering
very little oil or none at all: do
not regard this light as an oil
level indicator. Oil pressure
builds up after1-2 seconds and
the warning light goes out – the
red engine oil pressure warning
light
p should remain off when
the engine is running. Check
the oil level regularly, each time
you stop for fuel (or every sec-
ond time at the latest).
The oil level might be low if the
motorcycle has not been in use
for an extended period of time.
Under these circumstances top
up the oil level only after meas-
uring the oil level in accordance
with the instructions.
Always check engine oil level
with the engine at its regular op-
erating temperature.
Checking the oil level when the
engine is cold, just after the en-
gine has been run briefly or
when it is not properly warm will
falsify the reading, and could
lead to the engine being operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of oil
in the system.
L Note:
The oil temperature affects the
reading. The warmer the oil, the
higher the oil level in the sump.
Check the oil after a run, in or-
der to avoid overfilling.
 Hold the motorcycle upright – Make sure the ground is level and firm.
– Check the oil when the engine is at operating temperature
(after the motorcycle has
been ridden, or else allow the
engine to idle until the fan
switches on)
 Allow the engine to idle for at least 1 minute
 Switch off the engine
 Use the spark plug wrench to remove plug 1
10R13bkg4.book Seite 24 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

1
25
Safety check
2
e Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– never exceed the maximum oil level.
– However, always keep the oil
level above the minimum
mark.
 Wipe off oil dipstick 2, using a
clean, lint-free cloth
 To check the oil level, reinsert plug 1 with oil dipstick 2 into
its bore, but do not engage
the threads  Check oil level against marks
on dipstick:
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
The difference is equivalent to
approx. 0.4 litre (approx. 0.7 Imp. pint)
 If necessary, add oil through
filler neck 3 until the level
reaches middle mark A
 Reinstall plug 1
 Repeat the warm-up proce- dure and recheck the oil level
as described above
1
Engine oil
MAX
A
MIN
BMW recommends Castrol
2
3
10R13bkg4.book Seite 25 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

26
Safety check
2
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
Fuel expands when hot (for
instance if the fuel tank is in
the sun). For this reason, only
fill as far as the lower edge of
the filler neck.
e Attention:
Leaded fuel will destroy the cat-
alytic converter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
catalytic converter.
Wipe off plastic parts immedi-
ately if they are wetted with fuel.
Fuel
10R13bkg4.book Seite 26 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

1
43
Safety check
2
Checking coolant level
e Attention:
Always keep the coolant level
above the minimum mark.
Check coolant level only when
the engine is cold.
 Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand or hold it verti-
cal
 Check coolant at expansion tank:
MIN Minimum level
e Attention:
Never overfill the expansion
tank.  Top up the coolant if neces-
sary (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 2)
L Note:
If the expansion tank is full and
the coolant temperature is high
(as indicated by red warning
light
j b 58) or coolant con-
sumption is excessive, consult
an authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Coolant
MIN
MAX
10R13bkg4.book Seite 43 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

3
46
Starting – Riding – Parking
First time out
Handling your motorcycle
safely
Each motorcycle has a charac-
ter all its own. It is time now for
you to familiarise yourself with
the way your own motorcycle
behaves:
– acceleration
– roadholding
–cornering
–braking …
These are all things you need to
become familiar with.
Please remember too that if the
motorcycle has not yet covered
1,000 kilometres (approx.
600 miles), the engine is not yet
fully run in.
d Warning:
The tyres need to cover a cer-
tain distance before they ac-
quire their full road grip
(b55).
If you ride at high speed, always
bear in mind that various
boundary conditions such as
the spring preload setting and
the shock absorber setting, an
unbalanced luggage load,
loose clothing, low tyre pres-
sure, poor tyre tread, and so on,
can affect the handling of your
motorcycle.
10R13bkg4.book Seite 46 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16

3
48
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly at
the catalytic converter.
d 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 pro-
longed periods of time
– risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
Risk of poisoningThe exhaust fumes contain car-
bon monoxide, which is colour-
less and odourless but highly
toxic.
d Warning:
Inhaling exhaust fumes there-
fore represents a health haz-
ard 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 electronic engine
management system 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.
10R13bkg4.book Seite 48 Montag, 22. September 2003 4:26 16