BMW Motorrad R 18 2020 Installation and maintenance manual
RIDER'S MANUAL
R 18
BMW
MOTORRAD
MAKE LIFE A RIDE
Vehicle data
Model
Vehicle Identification Number
Colour code
Date of first registration
Registration number
Dealership details
Person to contact in Service department
Ms/Mr
Phone number
Dealership address/phone number (company stamp)
WELCOME TO BMW
We congratulate you on your choice of a vehicle from BMW Motorrad and welcome you to
the community of BMW riders. Familiarise yourself with your new vehicle so that you can
ride it safely and confidently in all traffic situations.
About these operating instructions
Read these operating instructions carefully before starting to use your new BMW. They con-
tain important information on how to operate the controls and how to make the best pos-
sible use of all your BMW's technical features.
In addition, they contain information on maintenance and care to help you maintain your
vehicle's reliability and safety, as well as its value.
The record of the maintenance work you have had performed on your vehicle is a precondi-
tion for generous treatment of goodwill claims.
If the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember to hand over these operating instruc-
tions to the new owner. They are an important part of the vehicle.
Suggestions and criticism
If you have questions concerning your vehicle, your authorised BMW Motorrad retailer will be
happy to provide advice and assistance.
We hope you will enjoy riding your BMW and that all your journeys will be pleasant and safe
BMW Motorrad.
01 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 2
Quick & easy reference 4
Abbreviations and symbols 4
Equipment 4
Technical data 4
Currency 5
Additional sources of information 5
Certificates and operating licences 5
Data memory 5
02 GENERAL VIEWS 8
General view, left side 10
General view, right side 11
Behind the side trim panel, right 12
Multifunction switch, left 13
Multifunction switch, right 14
Instrument cluster 15
03 STATUS INDICATORS 16
Indicator and warning lights 18
Multifunction display 19
Warning indicators 20
Service display 27
04 OPERATION 30
Steering lock 32
Ignition 32
Lights 35
Hazard warning lights 37
Turn indicators 37
Multifunction display 39
Settings in the instrument cluster 41
Anti-theft alarm (DWA) 45
Automatic Stability Control (ASC) 47
Riding mode 48
Cruise control 49
Hill Start Control (Hill Start Con-
trol) 50
Reverser 51
Heated handlebar grips 52
Rider's seat 53
05 ADJUSTMENT 56
Mirrors 58
Headlight 58
Clutch 59
Brakes 59
Turn indicators 60
Spring preload 60
06 RIDING 62
Safety instructions 64
Regular check 65
Starting 65
Running in 67
Brakes 68
Shifting with shift rocker 69
Parking your motorcycle 69
Refuelling 69
Securing motorcycle for trans-
portation 71
07 ENGINEERING DETAILS 74
General notes 76
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 76
Automatic Stability Control (ASC) 77
Riding mode 78
Dynamic engine brake control 79
Dynamic Brake Control 79
Hill Start Control (Hill Start Con-
trol) 80
Adaptive Headlight 80
08 MAINTENANCE 82
General notes 84
Toolkit 84
Side panel 84
fairing bracket 85
Front-wheel stand 86
Rear-wheel stand 86
Engine oil 86
Brake system 87
Clutch 91
Tyres 91
Wheel rims 91
Wheels 92
Silencer 98
Lighting 99
Jump-starting 99
Battery 100
Fuses 103
Diagnostic connector 104
09 ACCESSORIES 106
General notes 108
Power sockets 108
Luggage 108
Optional accessories 109
10 CARE 110
Care products 112
Washing the vehicle 112
Cleaning easily damaged com-
ponents 112
Care of paintwork 113
Paint preservation 113
Laying up the motorcycle 113
Restoring motorcycle to use 114
11 TECHNICAL DATA 116
Troubleshooting chart 118
Screw connections 119
Fuel 120
Engine oil 120
Engine 120
Clutch 121
Transmission 121
Final drive 121
Frame 121
Chassis and suspension 121
Brakes 122
Wheels and tyres 122
Electrical system 123
Anti-theft alarm 124
Dimensions 124
Weights 124
Performance figures 125
12 SERVICE 126
Reporting safety-relevant de-
fects 128
BMW Motorrad Service 129
BMW Motorrad Service history 129
BMW Motorrad mobility ser-
vices 129
Maintenance work 129
Maintenance schedule 131
Maintenance confirmations 132
Service confirmations 146
APPENDIX 148
Declaration of conformity for
electronic immobiliser 149
Certificate for electronic immob-
iliser 152
Declaration of conformity for
anti-theft alarm system 153
Declaration of conformity for
Keyless Ride 156
Certificate for Keyless Ride 159
INDEX 162
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
01
4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
QUICK & EASY REFERENCE
Chapter 2 of these operating instructions
will provide you with an initial overview of
your motorcycle. All maintenance and servi-
cing work on the motorcycle is documented
in the “Service” section. The record of the
maintenance work you have had performed
on your vehicle is a precondition for gener-
ous treatment of goodwill claims.
If the time comes to sell your BMW, please
remember to hand over these operating in-
structions to the new owner. They are an
important part of the motorcycle.
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
CAUTION Low-risk hazard. Non-avoid-
ance can lead to slight or moderate
injury.
WARNING Medium-risk hazard. Non-
avoidance can lead to fatal or severe
injury.
DANGER High-risk hazard. Non-avoid-
ance leads to fatal or severe injury.
ATTENTION Special notes and precau-
tionary measures. Non-compliance can
lead to damage to the vehicle or accessory
and, consequently, to voiding of the war-
ranty.
NOTICE Specific instructions on how
to operate, control, adjust or look after
items of equipment on the vehicle.
Instruction.
Result of an activity.
Reference to a page with more
detailed information.
Indicates the end of a passage
relating to specific accessories
or items of equipment.
Tightening torque.
Technical data.
OE Optional equipment.
The vehicles are assembled
complete with all the
BMW Motorrad optional
equipment originally ordered.
OA Optional accessories.
You can obtain BMW Motorrad
optional accessories through
your authorised BMW Motorrad
dealer; optional accessories
have to be retrofitted to the
vehicle.
ABS Anti-lock brake system.
ASC Automatic Stability Control.
DWA Anti-theft alarm.
EWS Electronic immobiliser.
EQUIPMENT
When you ordered your BMW Motorrad, you
chose various items of custom equipment.
These operating instructions describe the
optional equipment (OE) offered by BMW
and selected optional accessories (OA). This
explains why the manual may also contain
descriptions of equipment that you might
not have selected. Please note, too, that
on account of country-specific differences,
your motorcycle might not be exactly as il-
lustrated.
If your motorcycle contains equipment that
has not been described, its description can
be found in a separate manual.
TECHNICAL DATA
All dimensions, weights and power ratings
stated in the operating instructions are
quoted to the standards and comply with
the tolerance requirements of the Deutsches
Institut für Normung e. V. (DIN).
Technical data and specifications in these
operating instructions are guide values. The
vehicle-specific data may deviate from these,
for example as a result of selected optional
equipment, the national-market version or
country-specific measuring procedures. De-
tailed values can be taken from the vehicle
5
registration documents, or can be obtained
from your authorised BMW Motorrad re-
tailer or another qualified service partner or
specialist workshop. The specifications in
the vehicle documents always have priority
over the information provided in this rider's
manual.
CURRENCY
The high safety and quality standards of
BMW motorcycles are maintained by con-
stant development work on designs, equip-
ment and accessories. Because of this, your
motorcycle may differ from the informa-
tion supplied in the Rider's Manual. Nor can
BMW Motorrad entirely rule out errors and
omissions. We hope you will appreciate that
no claims can be entertained on the basis of
the data, illustrations or descriptions in these
operating instructions.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Authorised BMW Motorrad retailer
Your authorised BMW Motorrad retailer will
be happy to answer any questions you may
have.
Internet
The operating instructions for your vehicle,
operating and installation instructions for
accessories and general information about
BMW Motorrad, in relation to technology, for
example, are available for download from
www.bmw-motorrad.com/manuals.
CERTIFICATES AND OPERATING
LICENCES
The certificates for the vehicle and the of-
ficial operating licences for accessories can
be downloaded from bmw-motorrad.com/
certification.
DATA MEMORY
General
Control units are installed in the vehicle.
Control units process data that they receive,
for example, from vehicle sensors, or that
they generate themselves or exchange
between each other. Some control units are
required for the vehicle to function safely or
provide assistance during riding, for example
assistance systems. In addition, control units
enable comfort or infotainment functions.
Information on data that has been stored or
exchanged can be obtained from the man-
ufacturer of the vehicle, for example via a
separate booklet.
Personal reference
Each vehicle is identified with a clear vehicle
identification number. Depending on the
country, the vehicle identification number,
the number plate and the corresponding au-
thorities can be referenced to ascertain the
vehicle owner. There are also other ways to
use data obtained from the vehicle to trace
the rider or vehicle owner, for example using
the ConnectedDrive user account.
Data protection rights
In accordance with applicable data protec-
tion laws, vehicle users have certain rights in
relation to the manufacturer of the vehicle
or in relation to companies which collect or
process personal data.
Vehicle users have the right to obtain full
information at no cost from persons or entit-
ies storing personal data of the vehicle user.
These entities may include:
Manufacturer of the vehicle
Qualified service partners
Specialist workshops
Service providers
Vehicle users have the right to request in-
formation on what personal data has been
stored, for what purpose the data is used,
and where the data comes from. To obtain
this information, proof of ownership or use
is required.
The right to information also includes in-
formation about data that has been shared
with other companies or entities.
6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The website of the vehicle manufacturer
contains the applicable data protection in-
formation. This data protection information
includes information on the right to have
data deleted or corrected. The manufacturer
of the vehicle also provides their contact de-
tails and those of the data protection officer
on their website.
The vehicle owner can also request that a
BMW Motorrad retailer or another qualified
service partner or specialist workshop read
out the data that is stored in the vehicle for
a charge.
The vehicle data is read out using the legally
prescribed socket for on-board diagnosis
(OBD) in the vehicle.
Legal requirements for the disclosure of
data
As part of its legal responsibilities, the man-
ufacturer of the vehicle is obligated to make
its stored data available to the relevant au-
thorities. This data is provided in the re-
quired scope in individual cases, for example
to clarify a criminal offence.
In the context of applicable laws, public
agencies are entitled in individual cases to
read out data from the vehicle themselves.
Operating data in the vehicle
Control units process data to operate the
vehicle.
This includes, for example:
Status reports of the vehicle and its indi-
vidual components, for example wheel re-
volutions, wheel speed, deceleration
Environmental conditions, for example
temperature
The data is only processed in the vehicle it-
self and is generally non-permanent. The
data is not stored beyond the operating
period.
Electronic components, for example control
units, contain components for storing tech-
nical information. Information can be tem-
porarily or permanently stored on the vehicle
condition, component loads, incidents or er-
rors.
This information is generally used to docu-
ment the condition of a component, a mod-
ule, a system or the surrounding area, for
example:
Operating conditions of system compon-
ents, for example filling levels, tyre pres-
sure
Malfunctions and faults in important sys-
tem components, for example light and
brakes
Response of the vehicle in special riding
situations, for example engagement of the
driving dynamics systems
Information on incidents resulting in dam-
age to the vehicle
The data is necessary for the provision of
control unit functions. Furthermore, the data
is used to detect and rectify malfunctions
and to enable the vehicle manufacturer to
optimise vehicle functions.
The vast majority of this data is non-per-
manent and is only processed in the vehicle
itself. Only a small amount of the data is
stored in incident or fault memories as re-
quired by events.
If services are accessed, for example re-
pairs, service processes, warranty cases and
quality assurance measures, this technical
information can be read out of the vehicle
together with the vehicle identification num-
ber.
The information can be read out by a
BMW Motorrad retailer or another qualified
service partner or specialist workshop.
The legally stipulated socket for on-board
diagnosis (OBD) in the vehicle is used to
read out the data.
The data is obtained, processed and used
by the relevant parts of the retailer network.
The data is used to document the technical
conditions of the vehicle, to help with error
localization, to comply with warranty obliga-
tions and to improve quality.
In addition, the manufacturer has various
product monitoring obligations arising from
product liability legislation. To meet these
obligations, the vehicle manufacturer re-
quires technical data from the vehicle. The
data from the vehicle can also be used to
check warranty claims from the customer.
Error and incident memories in the vehicle
can be reset during servicing or repair work
7
by a BMW Motorrad retailer or another qual-
ified service partner or specialist workshop.
Data input and data transfer in the vehicle
General
Depending on the equipment, comfort and
customised settings can be stored in the
vehicle and can be changed or reset at any
time.
This includes, for example:
Settings of the windscreen position
Chassis and suspension settings
If required, data can be entered in the enter-
tainment and communication system of the
vehicle, for example using a smartphone.
Depending on the individual equipment, this
includes:
Multimedia data, such as music for play-
back
Contacts data for use in connection with
a communication system or an integrated
navigation system
Entered destinations
Data on the use of internet services. This
data can be stored locally in the vehicle or
is located on a device that is connected to
the vehicle, for example smartphone, USB
stick, MP3 player. If this data is stored in
the vehicle, the data can be deleted at any
time.
This data is transferred to third parties only
if personally requested within the context of
using online services. This depends on the
selected settings when using the services.
Incorporation of mobile devices
Depending on the equipment, mobile
devices connected to the vehicle, for
example smartphones, can be controlled
using the operating elements of the vehicle.
The image and sound of the mobile device
can then be output via the multimedia sys-
tem. At the same time, specific information
is transferred to the mobile device. Depend-
ing on the type of integration, this includes,
for example, position data and additional
general vehicle information. This enables op-
timal use of the selected apps, for example
navigation or music playback.
The type of additional data processing is
determined by the provider of the respect-
ive app. The scope of the possible settings
depends on the corresponding app and the
operating system of the mobile device.
Services
General
If the vehicle has a wireless connection, this
enables the exchange of data between the
vehicle and other systems. The wireless
connection is enabled by the vehicle's own
transmitter and receiver unit or using per-
sonally integrated mobile devices, for ex-
ample smartphones. Online functions can be
used using this wireless connection. These
include online services and apps that are
provided by the vehicle manufacturer or by
other providers.
Services of the vehicle manufacturer
For online services of the vehicle manu-
facturer, the individual functions are de-
scribed at suitable points, for example rider's
manual, website of the manufacturer. At
the same time, information is also provided
on the relevant data protection law. Per-
sonal data may be used to provide online
services. Data is exchanged using a secure
connection, for example with the IT systems
provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
Obtaining, processing and using personal
data outside of the normal provision of ser-
vices requires legal permission, contractual
agreement or consent. It is also possible to
have the entire data connection activated
or deactivated. Statutory functions are ex-
cluded from this.
Services from other providers
When using online services from other pro-
viders, these services are subject to the re-
sponsibility and the data protection and op-
erating conditions of the individual provider.
The vehicle manufacturer has no influence
on the content that is exchanged in this in-
stance. Information on the type, scope and
purpose of the data capture and use of per-
sonal data as part of the services of third
parties can be ascertained from the indi-
vidual provider.
GENERAL VIEWS
02
11
GENERAL VIEW, RIGHT SIDE
1Checking brake-fluid level, front
brakes ( 89)
2Locking the steering lock ( 32)
3Vehicle Identification Number
4Engine oil level indicator ( 86)
5Remote ground terminal ( 99)
6Underneath the cylinder head cover:
Topping up engine oil ( 87)
7Checking brake-fluid level, rear brakes
( 90)
13
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, LEFT
1High-beam headlight and headlight
flasher ( 35)
2Cruise control ( 49)
3Hazard warning lights ( 37)
4Selecting riding mode ( 48)
5Turn indicators ( 37)
6Horn
7MENU rocker button
Multifunction display ( 19)
Selecting readings ( 39)
Reset trip recorder ( 40)
Call up SETUP ( 41)
8Switch off ASC ( 47)
STATUS INDICATORS
03
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