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

2
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.
10geBKg6.book Seite 29 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

2
36
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.
10geBKg6.book Seite 36 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

2
37
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).
10geBKg6.book Seite 37 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

2
42
Safety check
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Residual braking function
d Warning:
When the ignition is off,
before and during self-diag-
nosis (
b 84) or if the BMW
Integral ABS fails, only the
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION (
b 83) remains available
for slowing the motorcycle.
When the RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION is active, 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 BRAK-
ING FUNCTION is active, the
ABS function is unavailable in
the brake systems in
question.
d Warning:
When the RESIDUAL
BRAKING FUNCTION is ac-
tive, maintain a defensive rid-
ing style and proceed imme-
diately to the nearest special-
ist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
L Note:
When the RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION is active, it is advis-
able to set adjuster A on the
front-brake lever to position 4
(
b 35).
OEOptional extra
10geBKg6.book Seite 42 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

2
46
Safety check
Lights
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each
journey.
L Note:
If turn indicator telltale light
flashes at twice the usual
speed: defective flasher bulb.
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 9):
Check brake light or tail light.
If the tail light is defective the
brake light is dimmed and acts
as a tail light. When you apply
the brakes the brake light
shines at full brightness.
OEOptional extra
L Note:
To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (dipped and
main beams), rear, brake and
indicator lights:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2)
Headlight setting, RHD/
LHD traffic
For trips in countries where the
traffic drives on the opposite
side of the road:
Adjust the headlight accord-
ingly (Maintenance Instructions
bChapter 2).
When necessary, you can
resort to the assistance of a
specialist workshop,
preferably your authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
10geBKg6.book Seite 46 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

3
60
Starting – Riding – Parking
Important notes
BMW Integral ABSOE
Motorcycle equipped with
BMW Integral ABS (
b 80)
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off or if the BMW Integral ABS
fails, only a RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION remains
available for slowing the
motorcycle (
b 83).
Under these circumstances
you must apply CONSIDERA-
BLY higher pressure to the
brake levers in order to apply
the brakes, and lever travel is
longer!
Risk of poisoningExhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless but highly toxic.
d Warning:
Inhaling the exhaust fumes
therefore represents a health
hazard and can even cause
loss of consciousness with
fatal consequences.
Do not run the engine in an
enclosed space.
Risk of fatal accidentYour motorcycle is equipped
with Digital Motor Electronics
(Motronic) and high-power
ignition system.
d Warning:
When the engine is running or
the ignition switched on, nev-
er touch electrically live parts
of the ignition system or the
digital engine electronics.
OEOptional extra
10geBKg6.book Seite 60 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

3
78
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - general
Wet bra kesAfter the motorcycle has been
washed, ridden through water
or ridden in the rain, the brake
discs and pads may be wet (or
iced-over in winter), and may
not take effect immediately.
d Warning:
The brakes have to dry be-
fore they start to bite.
Salt on brakesThe full braking effect can be
delayed if the motorcycle is rid-
den on salt-covered roads and
the brakes are not applied for
some time.
d Warning:
The layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads must first be
worn away.
10geBKg6.book Seite 78 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

3
79
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - general
Oil and grease on brakes
d Warning:
Brake discs and pads must be
free from oil or grease.
Dirt or mud on brakesWhen riding on loose surfaces
or muddy roads, the brakes
may fail to take effect immedi-
ately because of dirt or mois-
ture on the discs or brake pads.
d Warning:
The brakes must first be
applied until the discs and
pads are clean.
Dirt on the brakes increases
the rate of pad wear.
d Warning:
If the brake lever can be moved
right to the limit of its travel, this
indicates a mechanical or hy-
draulic fault. The brake system is
defective.
Immediately consult a specialist
workshop, preferably an author-
ised BMW motorcycle dealer.
10geBKg6.book Seite 79 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

3
80
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Sensitive electronic
control
It takes skill and sensitive con-
trol of the brakes to pull up
safely on a motorcycle. If the
front wheel brake locks and the
wheel skids, the necessary lon-
gitudinal and lateral stabilising
forces are lost, and a fall can
result.
For this reason, the rider sel-
dom makes full use of available
braking performance in an
emergency.
OEOptional extra
BMW Integral ABS is the latest-
generation BMW ABS develop-
ment: by preventing both
wheels from locking and opti-
mising braking-force distribu-
tion by means of the integral
function, it offers much
improved braking performance
(
b 82). Full use is made of tech-
nical braking capacity to mini-
mise braking distances, even
when road conditions are poor.
When the motorcycle is ridden
in a straight line, the BMW Inte-
gral ABS is able to handle
emergency braking safely.
10geBKg6.book Seite 80 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13

3
81
Starting – Riding – Parking
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Safety marginBut remember: the potentially
shorter braking distances
which BMW Integral ABS per-
mits must not be used as an
excuse for careless riding.
ABS
is primarily a means of ensuring
a safety margin in genuine
emergencies.
– You have to familiarise your-
self with the new, electroni-
cally assisted braking. Try the
brakes several times when
you take your motorcycle out
for the first time. Find out for
yourself how the brakes feel
– Never ride without due care
and attention, or assume that
good fortune will protect you
from your own foolhardiness
– Keep within the permitted
speed limits – Take care when cornering.
When you apply the brakes on
a corner, the motorcycle's
weight and momentum take
over and even BMW Integral
ABS is unable to counteract
their effects.
OEOptional extra
10geBKg6.book Seite 81 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 1:11 13