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

2 2
59
Safety check
Coolant
Checking coolant level
e Caution:
Always keep the coolant level
above the minimum mark. Add
coolant only when the engine is
cold.
Place the motorcycle on its
main (centre) stand
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm.
Open the left case (
b 30)
Check coolant level at the
expansion tank, using a
pocket lamp if necessary:
MAXMaximum level
MINMinimum level
e Caution:
Never overfill the expansion
tank under the seat.
Add coolant if necessary
Lock left case (
b 30)
L Note:
If the expansion tank is full and
coolant temperature is high (as
indicated by red warning light
j
b 11) or coolant consumption
is excessive, consult an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer.
MAX
MIN
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 59 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

60
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
First time out
Handling your motorcycle
safely
Every motorcycle has a “life of
its own”. You can gradually
familiarise yourself with exactly
how your motorcycle performs:
–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.
e Attention:
BMW Integral ABS incorpo-
rates a brake booster, so brak-
ing efficiency is significantly
higher than with conventional
brake systems.
d Warning:
The tyres need to cover a cer-
tain distance before they ac-
quire their full road grip (b 69).
When riding at high speed,
a l w a y s b e a r i n m i n d t h a t v a r i o u s
boundary conditions such as:
settings of the spring and
shock-absorber system, unbal-
anced loading, loose clothing,
low tyre pressures, worn tyres,
etc.,
can affect the handling of your
motorcycle.
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 60 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

3
61
Starting – Riding – ParkingSafe motorcycling does not
depend on the motorcycle and
equipment alone.
Your own skill and common-
sense are needed too.
The key to genuine safety on
the road is a sensible balance
between the motorcycle’s
technical features and the
rider’s skill, so that together
they form a single efficient unit.
Riding safely in traffic calls for a
sense of responsibility to your
passenger and to other road
users.d Warning:
Do not ride the motorcycle af-
ter drinking alcoholic bever-
ages. Even small amounts of
alcohol or drugs, particularly
if taken in conjunction with
medicines, will adversely af-
fect your perception and your
ability to assess situations
and make decisions, and also
slow down your reflexes.
Take to the road now by all
means, but think carefully about
everything you do!
First time out
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 61 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

62
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Important notes
Risk of fatal accidentYour motorcycle is equipped
with Digital Motor Electronics
(Motronic) and an a high-power
ignition system.
d Warning:
When the engine is running or
the ignition switched on, nev-
er touch any electrically live
parts of the ignition system or
the Digital Motor Electronics.
BMW Integral ABS
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a RESIDUAL BRA-
KING FUNCTION remains avai-
lable for slowing the
motorcycle (
b 81).
Under these circumstances
you must apply CONSIDERAB-
LY higher pressure to the brake
levers in order to apply the bra-
kes, and lever travel is longer.
Risk of poisoningThe exhaust from a motor vehi-
cle contains carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odour-
less, but none the less toxic.
d Warning:
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a health
hazard and can even cause
loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not run the engine in an
enclosed space.
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 62 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

3
63
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
Catalytic converter
e Caution:
To avoid damage to the cata-
lytic converter:
Do not run the fuel tank dry
Do not push start your motor-
cycle. Use jump leads instead
Do not run the engine with a
spark plug lead detached
Do not exceed the engine-
speed limits marked on the
revolution counter
Comply with all specified
maintenance intervals
Stop the engine at once if it is
misfiring
In the event of misfiring or a
severe drop in engine power,
consult a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer
If misfiring or malfunction of the
fuel-air mixture preparation sys-
tem causes unburned fuel to
reach the catalytic converter,
there is a risk of it overheating
and being damaged.
Risk of fireHigh temperatures occur at the
exhaust system, particularly if a
catalytic converter is installed.
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
––Risk of overheating or fire.
Ride away immediately after
starting the engine.
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 63 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

64
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Side stand
Placing motorcycle on
side stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons, never sit
on the motorcycle with the
side stand extended.
e Caution:
Stop the engine before using
the side stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.
On a gradient, the motorcycle
should always face uphill; se-
lect 1st gear.Switch off the ignition
Keep both feet on the ground
Hold the left handlebar grip
with your left hand
Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
Hold the motorcycle upright
and balanced
Use your left foot at the exten-
sion pin to extend the side
stand fully (arrow)
Slowly lean the motorcycle to
the side until its weight is
taken by the stand and dis-
mount from the motorcycle
Turn the handlebars to full left
lock (
b 13)
Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 64 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

3
65
Starting – Riding – Parking
Side stand
Lifting motorcycle off the
side stand
d Warning:
When the ignition of a motor-
cycle fitted with BMW Integral
ABS is switched off, only a
“RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION” is available (
b 81).
Make sure the side stand is
fully retracted before you ride
off.
–Allowing the motorcycle to
roll with the side stand
extended represents a
safety risk.Turn the ignition key to the “R"
or "ON" position (
b 13)
–Handlebars unlocked
Both feet on the ground, no
weight on the motorcycle
Hold the left handlebar grip with
your left hand
Keep your right hand on the
right handlebar grip and the
handbrake lever
Slowly raise the motorcycle to
the upright position and keep it
balanced
Sit on the motorcycle and use
your left foot to retract the side
stand
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 65 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

66
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Placing motorcycle on
main (centre) stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons never sit
on the motorcycle with the
centre stand extended.
e Caution:
Switch off the engine before
using the main (centre) stand.
Make sure the surface under
the stand is firm.Switch off the ignition
Hold the left handlebar grip
with the left hand
Hold the lifting handle with the
right hand
Place the right foot on the
extension pin and press it
down until the curved shoes
of the stand touch the ground
Place the right foot on the
tread surface of the stand
Apply all your body weight to
the stand
Pull the motorcycle to the rear
and upwards (arrow) until it
rests on the centre stand
Check that the motorcycle
is firmly supported
Main (centre) stand
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 66 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

3
67
Starting – Riding – Parking
Main (centre) stand
Removing motorcycle
from main (centre) stand
d Warning:
For safety reasons never sit
on the motorcycle with the
centre stand extended.
When the ignition of a motor-
cycle fitted with BMW Integral
ABS is switched off, only a
“RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION” is available (b 81).
e Caution:
Make sure the centre stand is
fully retracted before you ride
off.Turn the ignition key to the “R"
or "ON" position (
b 13)
–Handlebars unlocked
Hold the left handlebar grip
with the left hand
Hold the lifting handle with the
right hand
Push the motorcycle forward
off the stand (arrow)
Check that the stand has
fully retracted
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 67 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08

68
Starting – Riding – Parking
3
Running in
e Caution:
Exceeding the running-in speed
limits will cause premature en-
gine wear.
L Note:
While running in the motorcy-
cle, vary the throttle opening
and engine-speed range fre-
quently.
Try to do most of your riding
during this initial period on
twisting, fairly hilly roads rather
than high-speed main roads
and highways.
Running-in speedsFrom 0 to 1,000 km
(approx. 600 miles)
Max. engine speed 4,000 rpm
and no full-load acceleration
The first inspection should
always be performed after
1,000 km (approx. 600 miles).
Make an appointment with
your BMW motorcycle dealer
in good time, so that the work
can be performed punctually.
From 1,000 to 2,000 km
(approx. 600 to 1,200 miles)
Engine speeds can be gradu-
ally increased after 1,000 km
(600 miles)
Avoid lengthy periods at full load
until 2,000 km (1,243 miles)
have been covered
10LTbkg4.bk Seite 68 Dienstag, 27. August 2002 8:28 08