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

2
29
2
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: do not allow pad
thickness to fall below the
specified minimum
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2).
10rsbkg2.book Seite 29 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

22
30
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:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoirs for the front or rear
brakes has dropped below
the MIN mark (
b 31, 32) have
the brake system checked
without delay by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
Changing the brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(see the
b Maintenance In-
structions, Chapter 1) by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
10rsbkg2.book Seite 30 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

2
31
2
Safety check
MIN
Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark)
 Place the motorcycle on its
main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm  Turn the handlebars fully to
the left
 Check brake fluid level in
sight glass
MIN Minimum level
(bottom of
marking ring)
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to sink.
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
10rsbkg2.book Seite 31 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

22
32
Safety check
Checking rear brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark on the brake fluid reser-
voir
 Place the motorcycle on its main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm  Check brake fluid level in
sight glass
MAX Maximum level
MIN Minimum level
L Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to sink.
MAX
MIN
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
10rsbkg2.book Seite 32 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

2
33
2
Safety check
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped
with BMW Integral ABS, the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir does NOT drop as the
brake pads wear (b 35, 36).
d Warning:
Have the brake system
checked immediately by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised BMW mo-
torcycle dealer, if the brake
fluid level in the reservoir of
the brake system drops below
the MIN mark (b 35, 36).
OE Optional extra
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is exposed to
severe thermal loads, and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(see the
b Maintenance In-
structions,
Chapter 1) by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW motorcycle dealer.
10rsbkg2.book Seite 33 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

22
34
Safety check
Residual braking function
d Warning:
When the ignition is switched
off, before and during self-
diagnosis (
b 76), or if the
BMW Integral ABS fails, only a
RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNC-
TION (
b 75) 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 ques-
tion.
OE Optional extra
d Warning:
When the RESIDUAL BRAK-
ING FUNCTION is active,
maintain a defensive riding
style and proceed immediate-
ly to the nearest specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
L Note:
When the RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTION is active, it is advis-
able to set adjuster A
(
b 27) on the front-brake lever
to position 4.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
10rsbkg2.book Seite 34 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

2
35
2
Safety check
MIN

Checking front brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the mini-
mum level (MIN mark)
 Place the motorcycle on its
main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
OE Optional extra
 Turn the handlebars fully to the left
 Check brake fluid level in sight glass
MIN Minimum level
(top of
marking ring)
L Note:
The brake fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir remains
constant despite wear of the
brake pads.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
10rsbkg2.book Seite 35 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

22
36
Safety check
Checking rear brake fluid
level
d Warning:
Never permit the brake fluid
level to drop below the MIN
mark on the brake fluid reser-
voir
OE Optional extra
 Place the motorcycle on its main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
 Check the brake fluid level
MIN minimum level
L Note:
The brake fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir remains
constant despite wear of the
brake pads.
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABSOE
MIN
10rsbkg2.book Seite 36 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

2
37
2
Safety check
MIN
Checking fluid level in the
clutch fitting
e Attention:
If the fluid level drops, assume
there is a defect in the clutch
system.
Have the clutch system
checked immediately by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably an
authorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
d Warning:
Never permit the fluid level to
drop below the minimum level
(MIN mark)
L Note:
The fluid level in the reservoir
rises as the clutch wears.
 Place the motorcycle on its main (centre) stand
– Make sure the ground is level and firm
 Turn the handlebars fully to the right
 Check fluid level in sight glass MIN Minimum level
(centre of sight glass)
Clutch
10rsbkg2.book Seite 37 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16

22
38
Safety check
Checking lights
e Attention:
Check that all lights are opera-
tional at the start of each journey.
OE Optional extra
L Note:
If turn indicator repeater flashes
at twice the usual speed: defec-
tive turn indicator bulb.
BMW Integral ABS
OE:
General warning light ON (
b 7):
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.
To change bulbs in parking
lights, headlight (dipped and
main beams), rear/brake lights,
turn indicators and the number-
plate light:
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 2).
Lights
10rsbkg2.book Seite 38 Dienstag, 19. November 2002 4:56 16