length BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 R 2007 Rider's Manual (in English)

Adjusting suspension
dampingSwitch on the ignition.You can adjust the damp-
ing characteristic while the
motorcycle is on the move.
Press button 1.
The current setting is
displayed.
Press button 1once at each
step.
The display field starts at the
current status and cycles through
the following sequence:
COMF
: Comfortable damping
characteristic
NORM
: Normal damping char-
acteristic
SPORT
: Sporty damping
characteristic
The setting shown on the dis-
play is automatically accepted
as the damping characteristic
if you allow a certain length of
time to pass without making
further changes.
Adjusting spring preloadStart the engine.
You cannot adjust spring
preload while the motor-
cycle is on the move. Press button
1.
The current setting is
displayed.
Press and hold down button 1
until the reading changes.
The display field starts at the
current status and cycles through
the following sequence: One-up
One-up with luggage
Two-up (with luggage)
464zOperation

The settings shown on the
display are automatically ac-
cepted as the spring preload
and, if applicable, the damp-
ing characteristic if you allow a
certain length of time to pass
without pressing making further
changes. The reading flashes
while spring preload adjustment
is in progress.
Wait until adjustment com-
pletes (reading stops flashing)
before pulling away.TyresChecking tyre pressureMake sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand.Incorrect tyre pressures im-
pair the motorcycle's hand-
ling characteristics and increase
the rate of tyre wear.
Always check that the tyre pres-
sures are correct. At high road speeds, tyre
valves have a tendency to
open as a result of centrifugal
force.
Fit metal valve caps with rubber
seals and screw them on firmly
to prevent sudden deflation.
Check that tyre pressures are
correct as per the data below.
Tyre pressure, front
2.5 bar (one-up, tyre cold)
2.5 bar (two-up and/or with
luggage, tyre cold) Tyre pressure, rear
2.9 bar (one-up, tyre cold)
2.9 bar (two-up and/or with
luggage, tyre cold) If tyre pressure is too low:
Correct tyre pressure.
HeadlightAdjusting headlight for
driving on left/driving on
rightIf the motorcycle is ridden in a
country where the opposite rule
of the road applies, its asymmet-
ric low-beam headlight will tend
to dazzle oncoming traffic.
Have the headlight set accord-
ingly by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
Commercially available ad-
hesive tape will damage the
plastic lens of the light.
Consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer, in order to avoid
damaging the plastic lens of the
light.
465zOperation

Catalytic converterIf misfiring causes unburned fuel
to enter the catalytic converter,
there is a danger of overheating
and damage.
For this reason, observe the fol-
lowing points:Do not run the fuel tank dry.
Do not attempt to start or run
the engine with a spark-plug
cap disconnected.
Stop the engine immediately if
it misfires.
Use only unleaded fuel.
Comply with all specified main-
tenance intervals.
Unburned fuel will destroy
the catalytic converter.
Note the points listed for protec-
tion of the catalytic converter.
Risk of fireTemperatures at the exhaust are
high.
Flammable materials (e.g.
hay, leaves, grass, clothing
and luggage, etc.) could ignite
if allowed to come into contact
with the hot exhaust pipe.
Do not permit flammable materi-
als to come into contact with the
hot exhaust system.
Cooling would be
inadequate if the engine
were allowed to idle for a lengthy
period with the motorcycle at
a standstill: overheating would
result. In extreme cases, the
motorcycle could catch fire.
Do not allow the engine to idle
unnecessarily. Ride away imme-
diately after starting the engine.
Tampering with the
control unit of the
electronic engine-
management system
Tampering with the engine
control unit can damage
the motorcycle and cause acci-
dents.
Do not tamper with the engine
control unit.
Tampering with the engine
control unit can result in
mechanical loads that the mo-
torcycle's components are not
designed to withstand. Damage
caused in this way is not covered
by the warranty.
Do not tamper with the engine
control unit.
571zRiding

ing force accordingly to achieve
optimum braking.What feedback does the
rider receive from the
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS?If the ABS system has to reduce
braking force on account of the
circumstances described above,
vibration is perceptible through
the handbrake lever.
When the handbrake lever is
pulled, brake pressure is also
built up at the rear wheel by
the integral function. If the
brake pedal is depressed after
the handbrake lever is pulled,
the brake pressure built up
beforehand is perceptible as
counter-pressure sooner than is
the case when the brake pedal is
depressed either before or at the
same time as the brake lever is
pulled.
Rear wheel liftEven under severe braking, a
high level of tyre grip can mean
that the front wheel does not
lock up until very late, if at all.
Consequently, ABS does not in-
tervene until very late, if at all.
Under these circumstances the
rear wheel can lift off the ground,
and the outcome can be a high-
siding situation in which the mo-
torcycle can flip over.Severe braking can cause
the rear wheel to lift off the
ground.
When you brake, bear in mind
that ABS control cannot be relied
on in all circumstances to prevent
the rear wheel from lifting clear of
the ground.
What is the design
baseline for BMW
Motorrad Integral ABS?Within the limits imposed by
physics, the BMW Motorrad In-
tegral ABS ensures directional
stability on any surface. The sys-
tem is not optimised for special
requirements that apply under
extreme competitive situations
off-road or on the track.Special situationsThe speeds of the front and rear
wheels are compared as one
means of detecting a wheel's
incipient tendency to lock. If the
system registers implausible val-
ues for a lengthy period the ABS
function is deactivated for safety
reasons and an ABS fault mes-
sage is issued. Self-diagnos-
is has to complete before fault
messages can be issued.
In addition to problems with the
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS,
683zEngineering details

exceptional riding conditions can
lead to a fault message being
issued.
Exceptional riding
conditions:Heating up with the motorcycle
on the centre stand or an auxil-
iary stand, engine idling or with
a gear engaged.
Rear wheel locked by the en-
gine brake for a lengthy period,
for example while descending
off-road.
If a fault message is issued on
account of exceptional riding
conditions as outlined above, you
can reactivate the ABS function
by switching the ignition off and
on again.
What significance
devolves on regular
maintenance?
Invariably, a technical sys-
tem cannot perform beyond
the abilities dictated by its level
of maintenance.
In order to ensure that the BMW
Motorrad ABS is always main-
tained in optimum condition, it
is essential for you to comply
strictly with the specified inspec-
tion intervals.
Reserves for safetyThe potentially shorter braking
distances which BMW Motorrad
Integral ABS permits must not be
used as an excuse for careless
riding. ABS is primarily a means
of ensuring a safety margin in
genuine emergencies.
Take care when cornering. When
you apply the brakes on a corner,
the motorcycle's weight and momentum take over and even
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS is
unable to counteract their effects.
Electronic engine
management with BMW
Motorrad ASC
OE
How does ASC work?The BMW Motorrad ASC com-
pares the speed of rotation of the
front wheel and the rear wheel.
The differential is used to com-
pute slip as a measure of the
reserves of stability available at
the rear wheel. If slip exceeds a
certain limit the electronic engine
management system intervenes,
adapting engine torque accord-
ingly.
684zEngineering details

What is the design
baseline for BMW
Motorrad ASC?BMW Motorrad ASC is designed
as an assistant system for the
rider and for use on public roads.
The extent to which the rider af-
fects ASC control can be consid-
erable (weight shifts when cor-
nering, items of luggage loose
on the motorcycle), especially
when style of riding takes rider
and machine close to the limits
imposed by physics. The system
is not optimised for special re-
quirements that apply under ex-
treme competitive situations off-
road or on the track. You have
the option of deactivating the
BMW Motorrad ASC system for
these circumstances.Even ASC is constrained by
the laws of physics. Invari-
ably, the rider bears responsibil-
ity for assessing road and traffic conditions and adopting his or
her style of riding accordingly.
Do not take risks that would neg-
ate the additional safety offered
by this system.
Special situationsIn accordance with the laws of
physics, the ability to accelerate
is restricted more and more as
the angle of heel increases. Con-
sequently, there can be a per-
ceptible lag in acceleration out of
very tight bends.
The speeds of the front and
rear wheels are compared as
one means of detecting the rear
wheel's incipient tendency to
spin or slip sideways. If the sys-
tem registers implausible values
for a lengthy period the ASC
function is deactivated for safety
reasons and an ASC fault mes-
sage is issued. Self-diagnos-
is has to complete before fault
messages can be issued.
The BMW Motorrad ASC can
shut down automatically under
the exceptional riding conditions
outlined below.
Exceptional riding
conditions:
Riding for a lengthy period with
the front wheel lifted off the
ground (wheelie) and ASC de-
activated.
Rear wheel rotating with the
motorcycle held stationary by
applying the front brake (burn-
out).
Heating up with the motorcycle
on the centre stand or an auxil-
iary stand, engine idling or with
a gear engaged.
Accelerating the motorcycle to
a speed in excess of 10 km/h
after switching the ignition off
and then on again reactivates the
ASC.
685zEngineering details

1 Extending tool holderAdapters to accommodate all
tools
Removing and installing spark
plugs
2 1/4" bits 5x Torx, for example for remov-
ing and installing rear wheel
2x cross-head bits
1x plain screwdriver bit
3 3/8" adapter for socket-
head screws, w/f 22 Removing and installing front
axle 4 Electric torch
LED bulb
5 Socket 3x open-ended spanner, for
example for connecting and
disconnecting leads to battery
terminals
6 Adapter Adapter for 1/4" bits
9x12 mm and 3/8" swivel ad-
apters
Engine oilChecking engine oil level
The engine can seize if the
oil level is low, and this can
lead to accidents.
Always make sure that the oil
level is correct.
Oil can collect in the sump
if the motorcycle is out of
use for an extended period of
time; this oil has to be pumped into the oil tank before the level
is read. The engine oil must be
at operating temperature to do
this. Checking the oil level with
the engine cold or after no more
than a short ride will lead to mis-
interpretation; this in turn, means
that the engine will be operated
with the incorrect quantity of oil.
In order to ensure that the en-
gine oil level is read correctly,
check the oil level only after a
lengthy trip.
Make sure the engine is at op-
erating temperature and hold
the motorcycle upright.
with OA Centre stand:
Check that the engine is at op-
erating temperature, make sure
the ground is level and firm
and place the motorcycle on its
centre stand.
Allow the engine to idle for one
minute.
899zMaintenance

Comply with the operating in-
structions of the charger.If you are unable to charge
the battery through the on-
board socket, you may be using
a charger that is not compatible
with your motorcycle's electron-
ics. If this happens, disconnect
the battery from the on-board
systems and connect the charger
directly to the battery.Charging battery when
disconnectedCharge the battery using a
suitable charger.
Comply with the operating in-
structions of the charger.
Once the battery is fully
charged, disconnect the
charger's terminal clips from
the battery terminals.
The battery has to be re-
charged at regular intervals
in the course of a lengthy period
of disuse. See the instructions for caring for your battery. Al-
ways fully recharge the battery
before restoring it to use
Removing battery-
compartment cover
If it is not standing firmly,
the motorcycle could topple
in the course of the operations
described below.
Always make sure that the
motorcycle is stable and firmly
supported.
Make sure the ground is level
and firm and place the motor-
cycle on its stand. Remove screws
1.
Lift battery compartment cov-
er 2up and forward to remove.
8128zMaintenance

DimensionsLength of motorcycle2288 mm
Height of motorcycle 1230 mm, At DIN unladen weight
Width of motorcycle 856 mm, Across mirrors
Front-seat height 820 mm, Without rider
with OE Double seat, low: 790 mm, Without riderWeightsUnladen weight 237 kg, DIN unladen weight, ready for road, 90 %
load of fuel, without optional extras
Permissible gross weight 450 kg
Maximum payload max 213 kg
10148zTechnical data