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

22
29
Safety check
2
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
– Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar levers
–Brakes
–Brake fluid level
– Clutch fluid level
– Coolant level
– Shock-absorber setting and spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition, tread depth and tyre
pressures
– Load, gross weight
–Lights
– Warning lights and indicator lights with ignition switched
on – Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel), on the basis
of the following section:
– Engine oil level (every sec- ond/third stop for fuel):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, it is always best to
contact your authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
He will provide the necessary
advice and assistance.
Checklist
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30
Safety check
2
Engine oil
Checking oil levelCheck the oil level at regular
intervals.
Always check the oil level when
the engine is at operating tem-
perature, because the differ-
ence between the oil level
indicated when the engine is at
operating temperature and the
oil level indicated when the
engine is very cold due to
extremely low outdoor temper-
atures (-10 °C/14 °F) can be as
much as 10 mm (0.4 in).
After switching off the engine at
operating temperature, wait at
least 5 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the sump.Checking the oil level after the
engine has been run only briefly
or when it is not properly warm
will falsify the reading and could
lead to the engine being oper-
ated with the wrong quantity of
oil, because cold oil is viscous
and takes longer to drain back
into the sump.

Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine: – Never exceed the maximum
oil level.
– Always keep the level above
the minimum mark.
Always check the oil level with
the motorcycle upright.
• Check the oil level with the engine at its regular operating
temperature
• Check the oil level after the engine has been stopped for
at least 5 minutes
• Make sure that the motorcy-
cle is upright
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
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31
Safety check
2
1
MAXMIN
3
2
• Check the oil level at the sight glass:
MAX Top edge
of marking ring
MIN Bottom edge
of marking ring
– The difference between the two marks is approx. 0.5 litre
(0.88 pint)
• If necessary, remove oil filler
plug 3 and top up the engine
oil through oil filler neck 1 ,
using funnel 2
• Reinstall oil filler plug 3
 Attention:
The red warning light
 (
8)
for engine oil pressure indicates
no (or very little) oil pressure in the
lube-oil system; this light must not
be regarded as an oil level check.
Oil pressure builds up after 1-2
seconds and the warning light
goes out – the red engine oil
pressure warning light
 should
remain off while the engine is
running.
Engine oil
BMW recommends Castrol
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32
Safety check
2
Fuel
Refuelling
 Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
The 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.
 Attention:
Note that fuel containing lead
will destroy the catalytic con-
verter. Do not run the fuel tank
dry or you may damage the en-
gine or catalytic converter.
• Place motorcycle on main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
• Open fuel filler cap
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33
Safety check
2
•Refuel
– Refuel only with super (pre-mium) grade unleaded fuel to
DIN 51607 standard or equiv-
alent, minimum octane
number 95 (RON) and
85 (MON)
• Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity

Note:
The fuel gauge and warning
light function only when the ig-
nition is on.
– Usable tank capacity 21 litres ( 4.62 gal)
–A yellow warning light 1
comes on when there are
approximately 4 litres (0.9 gal)
of fuel left in the tank
1 Fuel
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34
Safety check
2
Adjusting clutch lever
 Attention:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action indicate a fault in
the hydraulic system.
If you are doubtful about the re-
liability of the hydraulic clutch
operating system, it is best to
consult an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
 Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the hydraulic circuit of the
clutch: do not turn the fitting
on the handlebar.
•Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting 1: minimum span
–Setting 3: maximum span
Handlebar levers
A
13
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Safety check
2
Adjusting handbrake lever
 Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the hydraulic circuit of the
brake system:
• do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar. •Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting 1: minimum span
–Setting 4: maximum span
Handlebar levers
4
1
A
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36
Safety check
2
Brake system - general
Work on the brake system
 Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Brake system, checking
 Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the brake
system.
Before riding off, therefore, al-
ways check the resistance of
the front and rear brake levers
and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about the
safety of the brake system.
Immediately seek the advice of
a specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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37
Safety check
2
Checking brake pads
 Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: do not allow the
pads to wear past the minimum
specified thickness (

Mainte-
nance Instructions, Chapter 2).
Brake system - general
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38
Safety check
2
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid level
 Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped
with BMW Integral ABS, the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir (

40) does NOT drop as
the brake pads wear.
 Warning:
Have the brake system
checked immediately by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised BMW mo-
torcycle dealer, if the brake
fluid level in the reservoir of
the brake system (

40) drops
below the MIN mark.
Changing the brake fluid
 Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(

Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 1) by a special-
ist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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