BMW MOTORRAD K 1200 R 2008 Rider's Manual (in English)

A defective bulb places
your safety at risk be-
cause it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always
carry a complete set of spare
bulbs if possible.
Low-beam headlight, high-
beam headlight, side-light or
turn-indicator bulb defective.
Replacing low-beam /
high-beam headlight bulb
( 114)
Replacing parking-light bulb
( 115)
Replacing turn indicator
bulbs, front/rear ( 117)
Bulbs defective General warning light
lights up yellow.
LAMPS!
warning appears on
the display. A defective bulb places
your safety at risk be-
cause it is easier for other
users to oversee you and
your motorcycle.
Replace defective bulbs as
soon as possible; always
carry a complete set of spare
bulbs if possible.
A combination of the bulb de-
fects described above has
occurred.
See the fault descriptions
above.
Ice warning Ice warning symbol ap-
pears on the display.
The air temperature measured
at the motorcycle is lower
than 3 °C. The ice warning does
not mean that there is
no risk of black ice forming at measured temperatures
above 3 °C.
Always take extra care and
think well ahead when tem-
peratures are low; remember
that the danger of black ice
is particularly high on bridges
and where the road is in the
shade.
Ride carefully and think well
ahead.
Anti-theft alarm battery
weak Battery symbol appears
on the display, accom-
panied by the letters
DWA
.
The integral battery in the
anti-theft alarm has lost a sig-
nificant proportion of its ori-
ginal capacity. There is no
assurance of how long the
anti-theft alarm can remain
operational if the motorcycle's
battery is disconnected.
329zStatus indicators

Seek the advice of a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
Anti-theft alarm battery flat General warning light
lights up yellow.
Battery symbol appears
on the display, accom-
panied by the letters
DWA
.
The integral battery in the
anti-theft alarm has lost its
entire original capacity. There
is no assurance that the anti-
theft alarm will be operational
if the motorcycle's battery is
disconnected. Seek the advice of a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
ABS warning indicat-
orsMode of presentation
ABS warnings are indicated
by a combination of the
'General' warning light and
the ABS warning light. Both
warning lights can light up
continuously or flash at a rate
of one or four flashes per
second.
There are two country-
dependent versions of the
ABS warning light:
Country-dependent ver-
sion 1.
Country-dependent ver-
sion 2.
Country-dependent version
1 is used as the basis for the
description of the warnings in
this section.
330zStatus indicators

Warnings, overview
Mode of presentation Meaning
Lights up redBrake switch defective ( 32)
Flashes once per
second Pull-away test not completed ( 32)
Flashes four
times per second Self-diagnosis not completed ( 32)
Lights up red Lights upABS warning indicators defective
( 33)
Lights up red Flashes once per
second ABS function not available ( 33)
Lights up red Flashes four
times per second Residual braking function active
( 34)
Flashes red once
per second Flashes once per
secondBrake fluid level in wheel brake cir-
cuit too low ( 34)
Flashes red four
times per second Flashes four
times per secondABS fault ( 35)
331zStatus indicators

Brake switch defectiveGeneral warning light
lights up red.
There is a defect in
the brake system and
it could result in delayed
braking response and,
consequently, accidents.
Brake in good time as
delayed braking response can
be expected.
The brake switch is defective
or incorrectly adjusted. The
increase in pressure when the
lever is pulled or the pedal
depressed is the signal in-
dicating to the BMW Integral
ABS that the rider wants to
apply the brakes. There may
be an unusual response from
the brakes.
You can continue to ride.
Bear in mind, however, that
the brakes might respond in a manner to which you are
not accustomed.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
Pull-away test not com-
pleted ABS warning light
flashes once per
second.
Without the assistance
of the ABS function, the
wheels could lock when the
brakes are applied hard, and
this could result in accidents.
Avoid hard braking if pos-
sible.
The ABS function is not avail-
able because the pull-away
test has not been completed.
You can continue to ride.
However, the ABS function is not available until the pull-
away test has completed.
If possible, do not use
emergency braking until
the pull-away test has been
completed.
Self-diagnosis not com-
pleted ABS warning light
flashes four times per
second.
Without the assistance
of the ABS function, the
wheels could lock when the
brakes are applied hard. You
have to apply considerably
more force to the brake
levers to brake without
servo-assisted brakes. The
changed braking response
can cause accidents.
Avoid hard braking if possible.
Apply brakes in good time as
increased effort is required.
332zStatus indicators

Only residual braking function
available in both brake cir-
cuits, because self-diagnosis
did not complete.You can continue to ride.
However, the ABS function
and brake servo assistance
are not available until the
pull-away test has com-
pleted.
As soon as possible, leave
the brake lever and the
brake pedal released, so
that self-diagnosis can
complete.
ABS warning indicators de-
fective General warning light
lights up red.
ABS warning light ON.
ABS warnings not avail-
able. The system is un-
able to draw your attention to the non-availability of BMW
Integral ABS functions. This
could result in unexpected
braking response and there-
fore can cause accidents.
Think well ahead, brake early
and avoid sharp braking if
possible, because BMW In-
tegral ABS functions might
not be available.
The controller of the ABS
warnings is defective. ABS
faults cannot be displayed.
You can continue to ride.
However, the system is un-
able to notify you of ABS
faults if they occur.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer. ABS function not available
General warning light
lights up red.
ABS warning light
flashes once per
second.
Without the assistance
of the ABS function, the
wheels could lock when the
brakes are applied hard, and
this could result in accidents.
Avoid hard braking if pos-
sible.
The ABS function is unavail-
able in at least one brake cir-
cuit.
You can continue to ride.
However, the ABS function
is not available.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
333zStatus indicators

Residual braking function
activeGeneral warning light
lights up red.
ABS warning light
flashes four times per
second.
Without the assistance
of the ABS function, the
wheels could lock when the
brakes are applied hard. You
have to apply considerably
more force to the brake
levers to brake without
servo-assisted brakes. The
changed braking response
can cause accidents.
Avoid hard braking if possible.
Apply brakes in good time as
increased effort is required.
Only residual braking func-
tion is available in at least one
brake circuit.
You can continue to ride.
However, the ABS function and brake servo assistance
are not available.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
Brake fluid level in wheel
brake circuit too low General warning light
flashes red once per
second.
ABS warning light
flashes once per
second.
The ABS wheel brake
circuit is a closed sys-
tem whose fluid level cannot
be determined at the brake
fluid reservoirs.
Very badly worn brake pads
can also trigger the "Brake
fluid too low" warning. Checking brake-pad thick-
ness, front brakes ( 96)
Checking brake pad thick-
ness, rear brakes ( 96)
Worn brake pads can
lengthen stopping dis-
tances by a significant margin
and consequently cause acci-
dents.
Apply the brakes in good
time.
Worn brake pads can
damage the brake discs.
Think well ahead and brake
carefully; avoid severe brak-
ing.
Have worn brake pads re-
placed as soon as possible
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.
If the brake pads are not
badly worn, the brake system
334zStatus indicators

will have to be checked for
malfunctions and leaks.Switch off the ignition and
pull the brake lever, then
release it and depress the
brake pedal.
Check the following:
Brake pressure perceptible
at brake lever and at brake
pedal.
Brakes acting on both
wheels.
No visible signs of brake
fluid leaking.
There is a defect in the
brake system and it
could result in brake fade.
Apply the brakes in good
time.
If these criteria are satis-
fied, you can continue rid-
ing. Bear in mind, however,
that a loss of brake fluid that
cannot be detected might be the cause of the warn-
ing.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motor-
rad dealer.
If the function and leak check
reveals a fault: There is a defect in the
brake system and it
could result in accidents.
Do not continue your jour-
ney.
Do not continue your jour-
ney.
Notify a specialist work-
shop, preferably an author-
ised BMW Motorrad dealer.
ABS fault General warning light
flashes red four times
per second. ABS warning light
flashes four times per
second.
There are at least two faults
in the brake system. Only the
residual braking function is
available in at least one brake
circuit and the fluid level in
the brake system is too low.
See the fault descriptions
above.
335zStatus indicators

336zStatus indicators

Operation
Ignition switch and steering
lock . .......................... 38
Electronic immobiliser (EWS) . . . 39
Hazard warning flashers . . . .... 40
Tripmaster .................... 41
On-board computer
OE
......... 43
Clock ......................... 46
Emergency off switch (kill
switch) ........................ 47
Grip heating
OE
................ 47
Clutch ........................ 48
Brakes ........................ 48
Lights ......................... 49
Headlight . .................... 50
Turn indicators . ............... 50
Seat . ......................... 51 Helmet holder . .
............... 53
Luggage loops . ............... 54
Mirrors . . . ..................... 54
Spring preload . ............... 55
Shock absorbers .............. 56
Electronic Suspension
Adjustment ESA
OE
............ 57
Tyres ......................... 58
437zOperation

Ignition switch and
steering lockKeysYou receive one master key
and one spare key. Please
consult the information on the
electronic immobiliser (EWS) if
a key is lost or mislaid ( 39).Ignition switch and steer-
ing lock, tank filler cap
lock and seat lock are all op-
erated with the same key. If
you wish you can arrange to
have the cases available as
optional accessories fitted
with locks that can be opened
with this key as well.
Switching on the ignitionTurn the key to position 1.
Side lights and all function
circuits switched on.
Engine can be started.
Pre-ride check is
performed. ( 65)
with OE BMW Motorrad Integ-
ral ABS: Turn the key to position 1.
Side lights and all function
circuits switched on.
Engine can be started.
Pre-ride check is
performed. ( 65) ABS self-diagnosis is per-
formed. ( 66)
Switching off the ignition
Brake servo assistance
is not available when the
ignition is off.
Do not switch off the ignition
when riding.
Turn the key to position 2.
Lights switched off.
Handlebars not locked.
Key can be removed.
Electrically powered ac-
cessories remain opera-
438zOperation