BMW MOTORRAD R 850 R 2004 Rider's Manual (in English)

1
General information and controls
19
3
1
2
A
4
5
Installing system case
e Attention:
Risk of breaking the locking
tongue.
Before closing handle 1 or lock-
ing system 2, turn the key in the
case lock to position A.
OAOptional accessories
d Warning:
Always make sure that the
cases are secured.
An incorrectly secured case
could be lost and endanger
other road users.
 Insert the system case into the holder (arrows), making
sure that it is firmly seated in
the lower holder 4 and the
upper hook 5
 Turn key in case lock to position A
 Push down the carrying
handle 1
– The two indicators 3 turn
black
 Lock the case and remove the
key
System caseOA
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20
Safety check
Checklist
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. If your motor-
cycle needs any routine mainte-
nance, you can then attend to it
before the journey starts
(
b Maintenance Instructions),
or, for example have it carried
out by your authorised BMW
motorcycle dealer.
This is to ensure that your
motorcycle corresponds with
road-vehicle use and safety
laws.
Your vehicle must be in perfect
technical order: this is a basic
prerequisite for your safety and
the safety of other road users.
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2
21
2
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 setting and spring preload
– Condition of wheels and
tyres, tread depth and tyre
pressures
– 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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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
in a hot engine or a cold engine
at extreme outside tempera-
tures (-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
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2
Safety check
MAXMIN1
2
 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
 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 7) 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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Safety check
Fuel
Refuelling
d Warning:
Fuel is flammable and explo-
sive. Do not smoke. Never
bring a naked flame near the
fuel tank.
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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2
Safety check
Refuel
– Refuel only with super (premium) grade fuel to
DIN 51607 standard or equiv-
alent, minimum octane
number 95 (RON) or
85 (MON)
 Close the fuel filler cap
Capacity
L Note:
The fuel gauge does not oper-
ate unless the ignition is
switched on.
– Usable tank capacity 20.4 litres
– When the reserve fuel
quantity is reached
(approx. 5 litres), the orange
warning light 1 comes on
Fuel
1
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26
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
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
A
3
1
Handlebar levers
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2
Safety check
4
1
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.
 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
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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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