BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 LT 2002 Rider's Manual (in English)

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39
Safety check
Checklist
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. If your motor-
cycle needs any routine mainte-
nance, you can then attend to it
before the journey starts
(
b Maintenance Instructions),
or have it carried out by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer. This is to ensure that
your motorcycle corresponds
with road-vehicle use and
safety laws.
A motorcycle in perfect techni-
cal condition is essential for
your safety and that of other
road users.For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
–Fuel level
–Positions of the handlebar-
lever fittings
–Brake fluid level
–Clutch fluid level
–Brakes
–Warning lights and telltale
lights
–Suspension spring preload
–Wheel rim and tyre condition,
tread depth and tyre pressures
–Load, gross weight
–Lights
–Coolant level
–Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel),
on the basis of the following
section:
–Engine oil level
(every second/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 pro-
vide the necessary advice and
assistance.
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40
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 (0.393 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 operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of
oil, because cold oil is viscous
and takes longer to drain back
into the sump.
e Caution:
To avoid damage to the engine:
–Never exceed the maximum
oil level.
–Always keep the oil level
above the minimum mark.
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
L Note:
You can check the oil level with
the motorcycle on the main
(centre) stand or the side stand.
Use pocket lamp to simplify vis-
ual inspection.
Place the motorcycle on the
side stand
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm.
Read off the oil level at the
sight glass:
B (MAX) centre of sight glass
C (MIN) bottom edge
of sight glass
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41
Safety check
BMW recommends Castrol
Engine oil
Place the motorcycle on the
main (centre) stand
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm.
Read off the oil level at the
sight glass:
A (MAX)top edge of
sight glass
C (MIN)bottom edge of
sight glass
–The difference is equivalent
to approx. 0.5 litres
(0.88 Imp.pints)
If necessary, remove oil filler
plug3 and pour in engine oil
using funnel2, through oil
filler neck1Insert and tighten the filler
plug3
e Caution:
Warning light, engine oil pres-
sure red
p(b 11) indicates
no (or very little) oil pressure in
the lube-oil system; this light
m u s t n o t b e r e g a r d e d a s a n o i l
level check. Oil pressure
builds up after 1-2 seconds
and the warning light goes out
– the redengine oil pressure
warning light
p should remain
off while the engine is running.
1
2
3
C
B
A
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42
Safety check
2
Fuel
Refuelling
d Warning:
The motorcycle’s fuel (petrol/
gasoline) is flammable and
explosive. 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.
e Caution:
Note that fuel containing lead
will destroy the catalytic con-
verter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
catalytic converter.
Place motorcycle on side
stand
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm.
Open fuel tank flap1
Open fuel filler cap2:
–Unlock the filler cap, turn it
counter-clockwise and
remove
1
2
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Safety check
3Fuel
Refuel
–Always use super (premium)
unleaded fuel to DIN 51607 or
equivalent standard, min.
octane number 95 (RON) or
85 (MON)
Close fuel filler cap2:
–Place the filler cap in posi-
tion, turn it clockwise as far
as it will go and lock it
L Note:
Hold the tank cap while locking.
Close fuel tank flap1
Capacity–Total capacity: 24 litres (5.28
Imp. gal)
–When reserve is reached
(approx. 4 litres/0.88 Imp.
gal) yellow warning light3
comes on
L Note:
The warning light and fuel
gauge function only when the
ignition is on.
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Safety check
2
Handlebar levers
Adjusting clutch lever
e Caution:
Sudden changes in the amount
of play at the lever or a spongy
feeling when it is applied may
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.
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the hydraulic circuit: do not
turn the fitting on the handle-
bar.
Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting1: minimum span
–Setting3: maximum span
3
1
A
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Safety check
Handlebar levers
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the brake circuit: do not turn
the fitting on the handlebar.
Adjusting handbrake lever Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting1: minimum span
–Setting4: maximum span
41
A
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Safety check
2
Brake system - general
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 brake system
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.
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Safety check
Brake system - general
d 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.
Checking brake pads
Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: do not allow lining
thickness to fall below minimum
value (Maintenance Instructions
b Chapter 2).
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Safety check
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Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
If your motorcycle is
equipped with BMW Integral
ABS, the brake fluid level in
the reservoir (
b 50) does NOT
drop as the brake pads wear.
d 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 (
b 50) drops
below the MIN mark.
Changing 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
(see the Maintenance Instruc-
tions
b Chapter 1) by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
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