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

2
19
Safety check
For this reason, check the
details in the following sections
before you start the journey:
–Fuel level
– Positions of the handlebar-
lever fittings
– Brake fluid level
– Clutch fluid level
– Brakes
– Warning lights and telltale
lights
– Lights
– shock absorber settings
and spring preload
– condition of wheels and tyres,
tread depth and tyre pres-
sures
– Load, gross weight –
Check at regular intervals as
described in the following
sections
(each time you stop for refuel-
ling):
– Engine oil level
(every second or third time
you stop for refuelling):
– Brake pads
If you encounter any problems
or difficulties, it is always best to
contact your authorised BMW
Motorrad dealer.
He will provide the necessary
advice and assistance.
Checklist
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2
20
Safety check
Engine oil
Checking oil levelCheck oil level regularly each
time you stop to refuel.
Only check the engine oil when
the engine is at normal operat-
ing temperature as the oil level
can vary by up to 10 mm
(0.39 in) in a hot engine or a
cold engine at extreme outside
temperatures (-10°C).
Wait at least five minutes after
switching off the hot engine for
the oil to collect in the sump. Checking the oil level after the
engine has only been used for a
short time or is only just warm
could lead to wrong interpretati-
ons and thereby to an incorrect
oil fill because the cold, more
viscous oil takes longer to flow
back into the sump. This can
take up to 12 hours at extreme
temperatures (-10
°C).
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 standing up-
right.
 Check the oil when the engine
is at normal operating tem-
perature
 Read the oil level at least five
minutes after switching off the
engine
 Make sure that the motorcy-
cle is upright
– ensure that the surface is
level and firm!
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2
21
Safety check
1
MAXMIN
2
Engine oil

Check oil level at sight glass:
MAX Upper edge
Ring marking
MIN Lower edge
Ring marking
– The difference between the
two marks is approx. 0.5 litres
(0.88 Imp. pints)
 If necessary, unscrew the oil
filler screw 2 and top up the
engine oil through the engine
oil filler 1
 Then retighten the oil filler
screw 2
e Attention:
Warning light, engine oil pres-
sure red
p\b(b 7)\bindicates 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 re-
main off while the engine is
running
BMW recommends Castrol
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2
22
Safety check
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:
Note that fuel containing lead
will destroy the catalytic con-
verter.
Do not run the fuel tank dry or
you may damage the engine or
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
Fuel
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2
23
Safety check
Fuel
Refuel
– Refuel only with super (pre-
mium) grade fuel to DIN 51607
standard or equivalent, mini-
mum octane number 95 (RON)
and 85 (MON)
 Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity
\f Note:
The fuel gauge and RID do not
operate unless the ignition is
switched on. –
Usable tank capacity
25.2 litres (5.5 Imp. gal)
– When the reserve fuel quan-
tity is reached
(approx. 4 litres/0.9 Imp. gal)
the orange warning light 1
comes on
Fuel level display 2 in RID
\f Note:
If only two bars still appear,
about 4 litres (0.9 Imp. gal) of
reserve fuel quantity remain in
the tank (additional warning sig-
nal from orange light 1).
2
1
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2
24
Safety check
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 an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the clutch system:
 Do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar.
 Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
– Setting 1: minimum distance
– Setting 3: maximum distance
Handlebar levers
A
1
3
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2
25
Safety check
1
4
A
Adjusting handbrake lever
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the hydraulic circuit of the
brake system:
 Do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar. 
Turn knob A to set the most
comfortable span:
– Setting 1: minimum distance
– Setting 4: maximum distance
Handlebar levers
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2
26
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 Motorrad dealer.
Checking the
brake system
d Warning:
Sudden changes in play or
spongy action of the brake
lever 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 system.
Immediately seek the advice
of a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.
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2
27
Safety check
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 Motorrad dealer. Brake pad wear depends on
your personal style of riding.
To ensure reliable operation of
the brakes: do not allow lining
thickness to fall below minimum
value (
b Maintenance Instruc-
tions, Chapter 2).
Brake system - general
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2
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Safety check
Brake system - with BMW Integral ABS
Checking brake fluid level
d Warning:
On a motorcycle equipped
with BMW Integral ABS, the
brake fluid level in the reser-
voir (
b 30, 31) does NOT drop
as the brake pads wear.
d Warning:
If brake fluid level in the fluid
reservoir (
b 30, 31) has
dropped below the MIN mark,
have the brake system
checked without delay by a
specialist workshop, prefera-
bly an authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer!
Changing brake fluid
d Warning:
Brake fluid is subject to
severe thermal loads and
absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere.
Consequently, the brake fluid
must be changed regularly
(see the Maintenance Instruc-
tions
b\bChapter 1) by a spe-
cialist workshop, preferably
an authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer.
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