brake BMW MOTORRAD R 850 R 2003 Rider's Manual (in English)

2
Introduction
1
General information and
controls
General view, left side ........... 4
General view, right side ......... 5
Cockpit ................................. 6
Telltale and warning lights ..... 7
Ignition switch and
steering lock ...................... 8-9
Trip meter/clock .................. 10
Hazard warning flashers ...... 11
Left handlebar fitting ........... 12
Right handlebar fitting ......... 13
Seat ............................... 14-15
Helmet holder ..................... 16
System cases................. 17-19Safety check
Checklist ........................ 20-21
Engine oil ....................... 22-23
Fuel ................................ 24-25
Handlebar levers ............ 26-27
Brake system
- general ........................ 28-29
Brake system - without
BMW Integral ABS ......... 30-32
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS ......... 33-36
Clutch ................................. 37
Lights ............................. 38-40
Shock-absorber
adjustment .......................... 41
Spring preload .................... 42
Wheels ........................... 43-44
Accessories and loads ... 45-47
Contents
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3
Introduction
1
Starting – Riding – Parking
Your first journey ........... 48-49
Important notes ............. 50-51
Side stand ..................... 52-53
Centre stand ................. 54-55
Running in ..................... 56-57
Before you start ............. 58-59
Starting ......................... 60-61
Warning lights................ 62-63
Riding, gear shifts.......... 64-65
Brake system
- general ........................ 66-67
Brake system - with
BMW Integral ABS......... 68-74
BMW Integral ABS
- troubleshooting chart ....... 75Arrive safely
Arrive safely....................76-77
Service worldwide ............... 78
Environmental protection .... 79
BMW rider’s equipment ....... 80
BMW motorcycle
equipment ........................... 81
Training means
extra safety ......................... 82
Concluding thoughts ........... 83
Contents
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21
5
General information and controls
9Stowage compartment for
on-board toolkit
10 Fuse box
11 Air filter (
b Maintenance
Instructions, Chapter 2)
12 Fuel filler cap
(
b 24)
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for description
13Front brake-fluid reservoir
(
b 31, 35)
14 Type plate/vehicle identifi-
cation number
15 Spark plug, right
16 Rear brake-fluid reservoir
(
b 32, 36)
17 Helmet-holder lock (
b 16)
General view, right side
911101213
14151617
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21
13
General information and controlsd 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.
6 Switch for heated handlebar
grips
OE
A Heating function off
B 50% (centre position)
C 100% 7
Starter pushbutton
8 Emergency off (kill) switch
for ignition (
b 58)
9 Turn indicator cancel switch
Press
– Left/right turn indicators
off
10 Right flashing turn indicator
switch
Press
– Turn indicators operate
To switch off turn indicators:
 Press turn indicator cancel
switch 9
OEOptional extra
Right handlebar fitting
BA
C
9
10
876
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21
Safety check
2
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 setting 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 2nd/3rd 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
provide the necessary advice
and assistance.
Checklist
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27
Safety check
2
Adjusting the handbrake
lever
d Warning:
To prevent air from entering
the hydraulic circuit of 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 span
– Setting 4: maximum span
Handlebar levers
41
A
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28
Safety check
2
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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29
Safety check
2
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 the
pads to wear past the minimum
specified thickness (
b Mainte-
nance Instructions Chapter 2).
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30
Safety check
2
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 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
(
b Maintenance Instructions,
Chapter 1) by a specialist
workshop, preferably an au-
thorised BMW motorcycle
dealer.
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31
Safety check
2
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 the
centre stand
–Make sure the ground is
level and firm 
Turn the handlebars all the
way to the left.
 Check the brake fluid level in
the sight glass
MIN minimum level
(top edge of
marking ring)
\f Note:
Gradual wear of the brake pads
causes the brake fluid level in
the reservoir to sink.
Brake system - without BMW Integral ABS
MIN
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