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

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

Calculating average con-
sumptionAverage consumption1is
calculated by dividing the dis-
tance covered since the last
RESET by the corresponding
amount of fuel used.
Resetting average con-
sumptionRepeatedly press BC but-
ton 1until the average fuel
consumption appears in the
display.
Hold the BC button down
for at least 2 seconds (RE-
SET).
The display shows
"--.- l/100 km".
Ambient temperatureThe current ambient temper-
ature 1is displayed.
An ice warning
appears if the ambient-
temperature reading drops
below 3 °C. The display
automatically switches
from any other mode to the
temperature reading when the
temperature drops below this
threshold for the first time.
The reading flashes until you
select some other display
mode.
445zOperation

Tighten the union nut.
Pull the protective cap over
the threaded fastener.Spring preloadAdjusting spring preloadIt is essential to set spring
preload to suit the load
carried by the motorcycle.
Increase spring preload when
the motorcycle is heavily
loaded and reduce spring
preload accordingly when the
motorcycle is lightly loaded.Adjusting spring preload
for rear wheel
Your motorcycle's hand-
ling will suffer if you do
not match the spring-preload
and damping-characteristic
settings.
Adjust the damping char-
acteristic to suit spring pre-
load. Adjusting spring preload
while the motorcycle is
being ridden can lead to acci-
dents.
Do not attempt to adjust
spring preload unless the
motorcycle is at a standstill.
Make sure the ground is
level and firm and place the
motorcycle on its stand.
If you want to increase
spring preload, turn knob 1
in the direction indicated by
the HIGH arrow.
If you want to reduce spring
preload, turn knob 1in the direction indicated by the
LOW arrow.
One click corresponds
to a half turn of
the knob. The range of
adjustment comprises 15
turns.
Rear spring preload, basic
setting
One-up, rider weighing 85
kg.
Turn the knob as far as it
will go in the direction indic-
ated by the LOW arrow and
then turn it back 15 clicks
in the direction indicated by
the HIGH arrow.
455zOperation

Brake system, generalDescending mountain
passes
There is a danger of the
brakes fading if you use
only the rear brakes when
descending mountain passes.
Under extreme conditions,
the brakes could overheat
and suffer severe damage.
Use both front and rear
brakes, and make use of the
engine's braking effect as
well.
Wet brakes
After the motorcycle has
been washed, ridden
through water or ridden in
the rain, the brake discs and
pads might be wet and the
brakes might not take effect
immediately.
Apply the brakes in good time until the brakes have dried
out.
Salt on brakes
The brakes may fail to
take effect immediately
if the motorcycle was ridden
on salt-covered roads and the
brakes were not applied for
some time.
Apply the brakes in good
time until the salt layer on the
brake discs and brake pads
has been removed.
Oil or grease on brakes
Oil and grease on the
brake discs and pads
considerably diminish braking
efficiency.
Especially after repair and
maintenance work, make
sure that the brake discs and
brake pads are free of oil and
grease.
Dirt or mud on brakes
When riding on loose
surfaces or muddy
roads, the brakes may fail
to take effect immediately
because of dirt or moisture on
the discs or brake pads.
Apply brakes in good time
until the brakes have been
cleaned.
Brake system with
BMW Integral ABS
OE
Sensitive electronic con-
trolIt takes skill and sensitive
control of the brakes to pull
up safely on a motorcycle. If
the front brakes lock and the
wheel skids, the necessary
longitudinal and lateral stabil-
ising forces are lost, and a fall
can result. For this reason,
the rider seldom makes full
579zRiding

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 intervene until
very late, if at all. Under these
circumstances the rear wheel
can lift off the ground, and the
outcome can be a highsiding
situation in which the motor-
cycle can flip over.Severe braking can
cause the rear wheel to
lift off the ground.
Bear in mind that ABS can-
not be relied on in all circum-
stances to prevent the rear
wheel from lifting clear of the
ground.
Residual braking func-
tionWhen the ignition is switched
off, during self-diagnosis,
or if the BMW Integral ABS
malfunctions, only a residual
braking function remains
available in the brake circuits
in question. The residual
braking function is the braking
power without the hydraulic
servo assistance of the BMW
Integral ABS. Under these
circumstances, therefore,
you must apply considerably
higher pressure to the brake
levers in question in order to
apply the brakes, and lever
travel is longer. When the
residual braking function
is active, the ABS function
is unavailable in the brake
system in question. When the
residual braking function is
active, the integral braking function is partially or entirely
unavailable.
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.
Have the fault rectified as
soon as possible by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
The brake-lever travel
needed to build up brak-
ing pressure can be consider-
ably longer when the system
is in residual braking function
mode, so BMW Motorrad re-
581zRiding

Case
OA
Opening casesTurn the lock barrel in the
OPENdirection.
Pull the grey release lever
up. Lock straps
1open.
Pull the grey release lever
up again.
Pull case lid 2out of the re-
tainer.
Case fully opened.
Closing casesPress catches 1of the case
lid into retainers 2.
The catches engage with an
audible click.
Press catches 3on the lock
straps into retainers 2.
The catches engage with an
audible click. Check that the catches are
locked securely into place.
Adjusting case volumeClose the case lid.
Turn the lock strap
buckles
1of the lock straps
out.
Pull the lock straps up and
out.
This expands the case to
maximum volume.
688zAccessories

Store or dispose of the ex-
cess engine oil in an envir-
onmentally compatible man-
ner.Brake system, generalReliabilityA fully functional brake sys-
tem is a basic requirement for
the road safety of your motor-
cycle.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the dependability of the brake
system.
Under these circumstances
have the brake system
checked by a specialist
workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.Incorrect working prac-
tices endanger the reli-
ability of the brakes.
Have all work on the brake
system carried out by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
Checking operation of
the brakesPull the handbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
Press the footbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
If pressure points are not
clearly perceptible: Have the brakes checked
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer. with OE BMW Motorrad Integ-
ral ABS:
Switch on the ignition.
Wait for ABS self-diagnosis
to complete.
Pull the handbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
The noise of the hydraulic
pump running must be aud-
ible.
Press the footbrake lever.
The pressure point must be
clearly perceptible.
The noise of the hydraulic
pump running must be aud-
ible.
If the hydraulic pump does
not run or if the pressure
points are not clearly
perceptible: Have the brakes checked
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.
795zMaintenance

Care productsWe recommend that you
use the cleaning and care
products you can obtain
from your authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer. The
substances in BMW Care
Products have been tested in
laboratories and in practice;
they provide optimised
care and protection for the
materials used in your vehicle.The use of unsuitable
cleaning and care
products can result in
damage to motorcycle
components.
Do not use solvents such as
cellulose thinners, cold clean-
ers, fuel or the like, and do
not use cleaning products
that contain alcohol.
Washing the motor-
cycleWe recommend that you
use BMW insect remover to
soften and wash off insects
and resilient dirt on painted
parts prior to washing the
motorcycle.
To prevent stains, do
not wash the motorcycle
immediately after it has been
exposed to strong sunlight
and do not wash it in the sun.
Make sure that the motor-
cycle is washed frequently,
especially during the winter
months.
To remove road salt, clean
the motorcycle with cold wa-
ter immediately after every
trip.
After the motorcycle has
been washed, ridden
through water or ridden in
the rain, the brake discs and pads might be wet and the
brakes might not take effect
immediately.
Apply the brakes in good time
until the brakes have dried
out.
Warm water intensifies
the effect of salt.
Use only cold water to wash
off road salt.
The high pressure of
steam cleaners can
damage seals, the hydraulic
brake system, the electrical
system and the seat.
Do not use a steam jet or
high-pressure cleaning equip-
ment.
8126zCare