brake fluid BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 R 2004 Rider's Manual (in English)

111Overview
General view, right
side1Indicator, engine-oil level
(
b
89)
2 Filler neck, fuel tank
3 Battery compartment
(
b
116)
4 Front brake-fluid reservoir
(
b
95)
5 Type plate
6 Vehicle identification
number
7 Brake-fluid reservoir, rear
(
b
95)

223Status indicators
redBattery is no longer being charged. (
b
26)
red Brake switch defective. (
b
27)
1 flash per
second ABS pull-away test not completed. (
b
27)
4 flashes per
second ABS self-diagnosis not completed. (
b
28)
red Relay for ABS warning light
defective. (
b
28)
red 1 flash per
second ABS function not available. (
b
29)
red 4 flashes per
second ABS in residual braking mode. (
b
29)
1 red flash
per second 1 flash per
second Insufficient brake fluid. (
b
30)
4 red flashes
per second 4 flashes per
second Multiple ABS faults. (
b
31)
Light Symbol Meaning Explanations

Status indicators230
• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW motor-
cycle dealer.
General warning light
flashes red once per
second.
ABS warning light flashes
once per second.
Fluid level in BMW Integral
ABS too low. You cannot check the flu-
id level in a wheel brake
circuit by observing the level in
the brake-fluid reservoir. c
Several factors, including very
badly worn brake pads, can
trigger this warning. Worn brake pads can
considerably lengthen
braking distances.
Think well ahead and brake
early. c
Worn brake pads can
damage the brake discs.
Avoid severe braking, if
possible. c
• Check the thickness of the brake pads (
b
94).
• Have worn brake pads
replaced as soon as possi-
ble by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. If the brake pad thickness is
sufficient:
• Check the following func-
tions:
– Ignition off, brake pressure
present at the brake levers.
– Brakes acting on both
wheels.
– Brake system leaktight, no signs of brake fluid
escaping.
If the functions are not shown: There is a defect in the
brake system.
Do not continue to ride. c
If these functions are in order,
you can continue riding. How-
ever, bear in mind that a loss
of brake fluid that cannot be
detected might be the cause
of the warning.

231Status indicators
There is a fault in the
brake system that can
lead to decreased braking
efficiency.
Avoid severe braking, if
possible.c
• Have the fault rectified as soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
General warning light
flashes red 4 times per
second.
ABS warning light flashes
4 times per second. There are two faults:
– Only residual braking func-
tion
(b
77) available in at
least one brake circuit, indi-
cated by the general warning
light and the ABS warning
light flashing 4 times per
second.
– Fluid level in the BMW Inte- gral ABS is too low, indi-
cated by the general and
ABS warning lights flashing
once per second.
See the fault descriptions
above.

Riding456
Safety checkPrior to every journeyUse the following checklist to
check important functions,
settings and wear limits before
starting to ride.Checklist–Brakes (
b
93)
– Brake fluid level (
b
95)
–Clutch (
b
96)
– Clutch fluid level (
b
97)
– Warning and telltale lights (
b
20)
– Shock absorber setting (
b
48) and spring preload
(
b
47)
–Rims (
b
98), tread depth
(
b
98) and tyre pressure
(
b
51, 130)
– Load, gross weight (
b
140)
– Luggage system At regular intervals:
– Engine oil level (every time
you refuel) (
b
89)
– Brake pads (every second/ third time you refuel) (
b
93)
First time outSafe handling of your
motorcycleYou have to take the time to
familiarise yourself with your
motorcycle's unique
character:
– Acceleration
– Roadholding
– Cornering
–Braking
Bear in mind, too, that the
engine has to be run in over
the first 1,000 km (
b
63). The description of the BMW
Integral ABS
OE starts on page
(
b
75).
BMW Integral ABS
OE
incorporates a brake
booster, so braking efficiency
is significantly higher than with
conventional brake systems.
Inadvertently severe braking
can lead to dangerous situa-
tions, particularly when the
motorcycle is cornering.
Practice braking with BMW
Integral ABS
OE under safe
conditions.c

695Maintenance
Make sure that the brake disc
is not visible through bore 1 in
the inboard brake block. If the
brake disc is visible:
Have the brake pads replaced, preferably by an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.Checking brake fluid
level
A low fluid level in the
brake reservoir can allow
air to penetrate the brake sys-
tem. This causes a serious reduction in braking efficiency.
Avoid severe braking, if
possible.
c
1 Front brake-fluid reservoir
2MIN mark

1Rear brake-fluid reservoir
2MIN mark
Hold the motorcycle upright or place it on the centre
stand, after making sure the
ground is level and firm.
Make sure the handlebars are in the straight-ahead
position.
Read off the brake fluid level at the reservoir.
Motorcycle without ABS The brake fluid level in
the reservoir drops as the
brake pads wear.c
Do not permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark. If the brake fluid level
drops below the MIN mark:

Maintenance696
If there is too little brake
fluid in the brake-fluid
reservoir, air can enter the
brake system. This causes a
serious reduction in braking
efficiency.
Think well ahead and brake
carefully; avoid severe
braking. c
Under normal operating condi-
tions the brake fluid level can-
not drop below the MIN mark.
• Check the brake pads.
• Check the brake system for
leaks.
• Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Vehicles with ABS
OE
The brake fluid level re-
mains constant despite
wear of the brake pads. c
Any drop in brake-fluid level,
even if the level remains above
the MIN mark, is indicative of a
fault in the brake system.If the
brake fluid level falls:
• Have the fault rectified as soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
ClutchChecking operation• Pull the clutch lever.
» The pressure point must be clearly perceptible.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about the
dependability of the clutch. In
this case:
• Have the clutch checked by a specialist workshop, pref-
erably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.

Care7124
However, remove particularly
aggressive materials immedi-
ately; otherwise changes in
the paint or discolouration can
occur. These include spilt fuel,
oil, grease, brake fluid and bird
droppings. BMW vehicle
polish or BMW paint cleaner
are recommended here.
Contamination on the paint fin-
ish is particularly easy to see
after the motorcycle as been
washed. Remove stains of this
kind immediately using clean-
ing-grade benzine or petro-
leum spirit on a clean cloth or
ball of cotton wool. We recom-
mend BMW tar remover for
removing specks of tar. Com-
plete the cleaning operation by
applying a protective coating
to these areas.
Protective wax coatingFor the protective wax coating
of paint, we recommend that
you use only BMW vehicle wax
or agents that contain car-
nauba wax or synthetic waxes.
The best way to see whether
the paint has to be protected
is that water no longer forms
pearls.Touching upYour authorised BMW motor-
cycle dealer has suitable sys-
tems for rapid, cost-effective
treatment of minor paint dam-
age. Minor damage can be
touched up with a BMW paint
spray or a BMW paint pencil,
but it is advisable to have more
serious paint damage dealt
with by an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer, who can
perform specialised paint jobs in accordance with factory
specifications, using genuine
BMW paints.
RubberTreat rubber components with
water or BMW rubber protec-
tion coating agent.
The use of silicon sprays
to care for rubber
gaskets can lead to damage.
Do not use silicone sprays or
other care products that
contain silicon. cLaying up• Clean the motorcycle
(b
122).
• Remove the battery (
b
118).
• Spray the brake and clutch lever pivots and the main
and side stand pivots with a
suitable lubricant.

8137
Technical data
Fuel and lubricantsTransmission
Transmission oil joint oil circuit with engine
Fuel
Fuel grade Super Plus (premium) unleadedminimum octane number 98 (RON)
Capacity of fuel tank 19 l
Reserve volume 4 l
Brakes
Brake fluid DOT 4 We recommend BMW brake fluid

Service9146
BMW Running-In
CheckCarried out in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer
readingBrake fluid changed:BMW Integral ABSWheel circuit
Control circuit
Date, stamp, signature
BMW
Pre-delivery CheckCarried out in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Date, stamp, signature