BMW MOTORRAD R 1150 GS 2002 Rider's Manual (in English)

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29
Safety check
Checklist
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
– Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar-lever fittings
–Brakes
– Brake fluid level
– Clutch fluid level
– Warning lights and telltale lights
–Lights
– Shock absorber settings and spring preload
– Wheel rim and tyre condition,
tread depth and tyre
pressures
– Load, gross weight – Check regularly (every time
you stop for fuel),
on the basis of the following
section:
– Engine oil level
(every second/third stop for
fuel):
– brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, it is always best to
contact your authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer. He will pro-
vide the necessary advice and
assistance.
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30
Safety check
Engine oil
Checking oil levelCheck the oil level at regular
intervals.
Always check the oil level when
the engine is at operating tem-
perature, because the differ-
ence between the oil level
indicated when the engine is at
operating temperature and the
oil level indicated when the
engine is very cold due to
extremely low outdoor temper-
atures (-10 °C/14 °F) can be as
much as 10 mm (0.393 in).
After switching off the engine at
operating temperature, wait at
least 5 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the sump.Checking the oil level after the
engine has been run only briefly
or when it is not properly warm
will falsify the reading and could
lead to the engine being oper-
ated with the wrong quantity of
oil, because cold oil is viscous
and takes longer to drain back
into the sump. At extremely low
outdoor temperatures (-10 °C/
14 °F), this can take as long as
12 hours.
e
Attention:
To avoid damage to the engine:
– Never exceed the maximum oil level.
– Always keep the oil level above the minimum mark.
Always check the oil level with
the motorcycle upright.
 Check the oil level with the engine at its regular operating
temperature
 Check the oil level after the engine has been stopped for
at least 5 minutes
 Make sure that the motorcy-
cle is upright
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
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Safety check
1
MAXMIN2
 Check the oil level at the sight glass:
MAX Top edge
of marking ring
MIN Bottom edge
of marking ring
– The difference between the
two marks is approx. 0.5 litre
(0.88 pint)
 If necessary, remove oil filler plug 2 and top up the engine
oil through engine oil filler 1.
 Reinstall oil filler plug 2e Attention:
Warning light, engine oil pres-
sure red
p (b 9) indicates no
(or very little) oil pressure in
the lube-oil system; this light
m u s t n o t b e r e g a r d e d a s a n o i l
level check. Oil pressure
builds up after 1-2 seconds
and the warning light goes out
– the redengine oil pressure
warning light
p should remain
off while the engine is running.
Engine oil
BMW recommends Castrol
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32
Safety check
Fuel
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
The fuel expands when hot
(for instance if the fuel tank is
in the sun). For this reason,
only fill as far as the lower
edge of the filler neck.
e Attention:
Leaded fuel will destroy the cat-
alytic converter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
the catalytic converter.
Wipe off plastic parts immedi-
ately if they are wetted with fuel.
 Place motorcycle on centre stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm.
 Open fuel filler cap
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Safety check1
2
Refuel
– Always use super (premium) unleaded fuel to DIN 51607 or
equivalent standard,
minimum octane number
95 (RON) or 85 (MON)
 Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity
L Note:
The fuel gauge and RID do not
operate unless the ignition is
switched on.
OEOptional extra
– Usable tank capacitiy 22 litres (5.5 gal)
– Usable tank capacitiy 30 litres (5.5 gal)
OE (GS Adventure only)
– When the reserve fuel level (approx. 4 litres/0.9 gal) is
reached, this is indicated by
orange warning light 1
Fuel level indicator 2 in
RIDOE (b 75)
L Note:
If only two bars are visible,
approx. 4 litres (0.9 Imp. gal) of
fuel remain in the tank (also indi-
cated by orange warning light 1).
Fuel
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34
Safety check
Handlebar levers
Adjusting clutch lever
e Attention:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action indicate a fault in
the hydraulic system.
If you are doubtful about the re-
liability of the hydraulic clutch
operating system, it is best to
consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the clutch system:
 do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar.
 do not turn the handlebars
in the clamping blocks.
Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting 1: minimum distance
–Setting 3: maximum distance
1
3
A
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Safety check
Adjusting handbrake lever
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the brake system:
 do not turn the fitting on the handlebar.
 do not turn the handlebars
in the clamping blocks. Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
–Setting 1: minimum distance
–Setting 4: maximum distance
Handlebar levers
14
A
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Safety check
Brake system - general
Work on the brake system
d Warning:
To ensure reliability have all
work on the brake systems
carried out by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Checking the brake
system
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake le-
ver indicate a fault in the
brake system.
Before riding off, therefore,
always check the resistance
of the front and rear brake le-
vers and test operation of the
brakes.
Do not ride the motorcycle if
you have any doubts about
the safety of the brake sys-
tem.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
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Safety check
Brake system - general
Checking brake pads
d Warning:
Have the brake pads replaced
before they wear to the mini-
mum permissible thickness:
have the work performed
by a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: Have the brake
pads replaced before the mini-
mum permitted thickness is
reached (Maintenance Instruc-
tions b Chapter 2).
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Safety check
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid levelGradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to sink.
d Warning:
Have the brake system
checked immediately if the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir of the front or rear brake
system drops below the MIN
mark (
b 39, 40) ; have the
brake system checked imme-
diately by a specialist work-
shop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to
severe thermal loads and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
The brake fluid must there-
fore be changed regularly
(Maintenance Instructions
b Chapter 1) by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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