BMW Motorrad R 18 2021 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)

YOUR 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 this rider's manual
Read this rider's manual carefully before starting to use your new
BMW. It contains important information on how to operate the
controls and how to make the best possible use of all your BM-
W's technical features.
In addition, it contains information on maintenance and care to
help you maintain your vehicle's reliability and safety, as well as
its value.
If the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember to hand
over this rider's manual to the new owner. It is an important part
of the vehicle.
We hope you will enjoy riding your BMW and that all your jour-
neys will be pleasant and safe
BMW Motorrad.

01 GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS 2
Quick & easy reference 4
Abbreviations and sym-
bols 4
Equipment 5
Technical data 5
Currency 6
Additional sources of
information 6
Certificates and operat-
ing licences 6
Data memory 6
02 GENERAL VIEWS 12
General view, left side 14
General view, right
side 15
Behind the side trim
panel, right 16
Multifunction switch,
left 17
Multifunction switch,
right 18
Instrument cluster 19
03 STATUS
INDICATORS 20
Indicator and warning
lights 22
Multifunction display 23
Warning indicators 24
Service display 37
04 OPERATION 38
Steering lock 40
Ignition 41
Lighting 45
Multifunction display 49
Settings in the instru-
ment cluster 52
Anti-theft alarm (DWA) 58
Automatic Stability
Control (ASC) 60
Riding mode 61
Adaptive cruise control 62
Hill Start Control 64
Reverser 66
Heated grips 67
Rider's seat 68
05 ADJUSTMENT 70
Mirrors 72
Headlight 72
Clutch 73
Brakes 74
Turn indicators 74
Spring preload 75
Gearshift lever 76
06 RIDING 80
Safety information 82
Regular check 84
Starting 85
Running in 88
Brakes 89
Shifting with shift
rocker 91

Parking your motor-
cycle 91
Refuelling 91
Securing motorcycle
for transportation 94
07 ENGINEERING DE-
TAILS 96
General notes 98
General drive functions 98
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 98
Automatic Stability
Control (ASC) 102
Riding mode 103
Dynamic engine
brake control 104
Dynamic Brake Con-
trol 105
Hill Start Control 106
Adaptive Headlight 107
08 MAINTENANCE 108
General notes 110
Toolkit 110
Side panel 111
fairing bracket 111
Front-wheel stand 113
Rear-wheel stand 113
Engine oil 113
Brake system 116
Clutch 120
Tyres 120
Wheel rims 121
Wheels 122
Silencer 131
Lighting 132
Jump-starting 133
Battery 134
Fuses 139
Diagnostic connector 141
09 ACCESSORIES 142
General notes 144
Power sockets 144
Luggage 145
Optional accessories 145
10 CARE 146
Care products 148
Washing the vehicle 148
Cleaning easily dam-
aged components 149
Care of paintwork 150
Paint preservation 151
Laying up motorcycle 151
Restoring motorcycle
to use 151
11 TECHNICAL DATA 152
Troubleshooting chart 154
Threaded fasteners 155
Fuel 157
Engine oil 157
Engine 158
Clutch 158
Transmission 159
Final drive 159
Frame 159

Chassis and
suspension 160
Brakes 160
Wheels and tyres 161
Electrical system 162
Anti-theft alarm 163
Dimensions 163
Weights 164
Performance figures 164
12 SERVICE 166
Reporting safety-rel-
evant defects 168
BMW Motorrad
Service 169
BMW Motorrad
Service history 169
BMW Motorrad mo-
bility services 170
Maintenance work 170
Maintenance sched-
ule 172
Maintenance confirm-
ations 173
Service confirmations 185
APPENDIX 188
Declaration of Con-
formity 189
Certificate for elec-
tronic immobiliser 194
Certificate for Key-
less Ride 197
INDEX 202

GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
01

QUICK & EASY REFERENCE 4
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS 4
EQUIPMENT 5
TECHNICAL DATA 5
CURRENCY 6
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION 6
CERTIFICATES AND OPERATING LICENCES 6
DATA MEMORY 6

4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
QUICK & EASY REFERENCE
An important aspect of this
rider's manual is that it can be
used for quick and easy refer-
ence. Consulting the extensive
index at the end of this rider's
manual is the fastest way to
find information on a particu-
lar topic or item. To first read
an overview of your motor-
cycle, please go to Chapter 2.
All maintenance and servicing
work on the motorcycle is doc-
umented in the “Service” sec-
tion. The record of the main-
tenance work you have had
performed on your vehicle is
a precondition for generous
treatment of goodwill claims.
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYM-
BOLS
CAUTION Low-risk haz-
ard. Non-avoidance can
lead to slight or moderate in-
jury.
WARNING Medium-risk
hazard. Non-avoidance
can lead to fatal or severe in-
jury.
DANGER High-risk haz-
ard. Non-avoidance leads
to fatal or severe injury.
ATTENTION Special notes
and precautionary meas-
ures. Non-compliance can lead
to damage to the vehicle or ac-
cessory and, consequently, to
voiding of the warranty.
Specific instructions on
how to operate, control,
adjust or look after items of
equipment on the motorcycle.
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 com-
plete with all the
BMW Motorrad
optional equipment
originally ordered.

5
OA Optional accessories.
You can obtain
BMW Motorrad
optional accessories
through your author-
ised BMW Motorrad
dealer; optional
accessories have to
be retrofitted to the
vehicle.
ABS Anti-lock brake sys-
tem.
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 illustrated.
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 op-
erating instructions are quoted
to the standards and comply
with the tolerance require-
ments of the Deutsches Institut
für Normung e.V. (DIN).
Technical data and specific-
ations in this rider's manual
serve as reference points. The
vehicle-specific data may de-
viate from these, for example
as a result of selected optional
equipment, the national-mar-
ket version or country-specific
measuring procedures. De-
tailed values can be taken from
the vehicle registration docu-
ments, or can be obtained from
your authorised BMW Motorrad
retailer or another qualified
service partner or specialist
workshop. The specifications in
the vehicle documents always
have priority over the inform-
ation provided in this rider's
manual.

6 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
CURRENCY
The high safety and quality
standards of BMW motor-
cycles are maintained by
constant development work
on designs, equipment and
accessories. Because of this,
your motorcycle may differ
from the information 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 rider's manual for your
vehicle, operating and installa-
tion instructions for accessories
and general information about
BMW Motorrad, in relation to
technology, for example, are
available for download from
bmw-motorrad.com/manuals.
CERTIFICATES AND OPERAT-
ING LICENCES
The certificates for the vehicle
and the official operating li-
cences for accessories can be
downloaded from
bmw-motorrad.com/certifica-
tion.
DATA MEMORY
General
Control units are installed in
the vehicle. Control units pro-
cess data that they receive, for
example, from vehicle sensors,
or that they generate them-
selves or exchange between
each other. Some control units
are required for the vehicle to
function safely or provide as-
sistance during riding, for ex-
ample assistance systems. In
addition, control units enable
comfort or infotainment func-
tions.
Information on data that has
been stored or exchanged can
be obtained from the manufac-
turer of the vehicle, for example
via a separate booklet.

7
Personal reference
Each vehicle is identified with a
clear vehicle identification num-
ber. Depending on the coun-
try, the vehicle identification
number, the number plate and
the corresponding authorities
can be referenced to ascertain
the vehicle owner. There are
also other ways to use data ob-
tained from the vehicle to trace
the rider or vehicle owner, for
example using the Connected-
Drive user account.
Data protection rights
In accordance with applicable
data protection laws, vehicle
users have certain rights in re-
lation 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 entities
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 information 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 information about
data that has been shared with
other companies or entities.
The website of the vehicle
manufacturer contains the
applicable data protection
information. This data
protection information includes
information on the right to
have data deleted or corrected.
The manufacturer of the vehicle
also provides their contact
details and those of the data
protection officer on their
website.
The vehicle owner can also re-
quest 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.

8 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Legal requirements for the
disclosure of data
As part of its legal responsib-
ilities, the manufacturer of the
vehicle is obligated to make its
stored data available to the rel-
evant authorities. This data is
provided in the required scope
in individual cases, for example
to clarify a criminal offence.
In the context of applicable
laws, public agencies are en-
titled in individual cases to read
out data from the vehicle them-
selves.
Operating data in the vehicle
Control units process data to
operate the vehicle.
This includes, for example:
Status reports of the vehicle
and its individual components,
for example wheel speed,
wheel circumferential velo-
city, deceleration
Environmental conditions, for
example temperature
The data is only processed in
the vehicle itself and is gener-
ally non-permanent. The data is
not stored beyond the operat-
ing period.
Electronic components, for ex-
ample control units, contain
components for storing tech-
nical information. Information
can be temporarily or perman-
ently stored on the vehicle con-
dition, component loads, incid-
ents or errors.
This information is generally
used to document the condi-
tion of a component, a module,
a system or the surrounding
area, for example:
Operating conditions of sys-
tem components, for example
filling levels, tyre pressure
Malfunctions and faults in im-
portant system 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 damage to the
vehicle
The data is necessary for the
provision of control unit func-
tions. Furthermore, the data
is used to detect and rectify
malfunctions and to enable the
vehicle manufacturer to optim-
ise vehicle functions.
The vast majority of this data
is non-permanent and is only
processed in the vehicle it-
self. Only a small amount of
the data is stored in incident or
fault memories as required by
events.

9
If services are accessed, for
example repairs, service pro-
cesses, warranty cases and
quality assurance measures,
this technical information can
be read out of the vehicle to-
gether with the vehicle identi-
fication number.
The information can be read
out by a BMW Motorrad
retailer or another qualified
service partner or specialist
workshop. The legally stip-
ulated socket for on-board
diagnosis (OBD) in the vehicle
is used to read out the data.
The data is obtained, pro-
cessed 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
obligations and to improve
quality.
In addition, the manufacturer
has various product monitor-
ing obligations arising from
product liability legislation. To
meet these obligations, the
vehicle manufacturer requires
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 by a
BMW Motorrad retailer or an-
other qualified 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 set-
tings
If required, data can be entered
in the entertainment and
communication system of the
vehicle, for example using a
smartphone.
Depending on the individual
equipment, this includes:
Multimedia data, such as mu-
sic for playback
Contacts data for use in con-
nection with a communication
system or an integrated navig-
ation system
Entered destinations
Data on the use of internet
services. This data can be
stored locally in the vehicle

10 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
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 re-
quested within the context of
using online services. This de-
pends on the selected settings
when using the services.
Incorporation of mobile
devices
Depending on the equipment,
mobile devices connected to
the vehicle, for example smart-
phones, can be controlled using
the operating elements of the
vehicle.
The image and sound of the
mobile device can then be out-
put via the multimedia system.
At the same time, specific in-
formation is transferred to the
mobile device. Depending on
the type of integration, this in-
cludes, for example, position
data and additional general
vehicle information. This en-
ables optimal use of the selec-
ted apps, for example naviga-
tion or music playback.
The type of additional data pro-
cessing is determined by the
provider of the respective app.
The scope of the possible set-
tings depends on the corres-
ponding 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 transceiver unit or
using personally integrated
mobile devices, for example
smartphones. Online functions
can be accessed through this
wireless connection. These
include online services and
apps that are provided by the
vehicle manufacturer or by
other providers.
Services of the vehicle manu-
facturer
For online services of the
vehicle manufacturer, the
individual functions are
described 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.
Personal data may be used to
provide online services. Data

11
is exchanged using a secure
connection, for example with
the IT systems provided by the
vehicle manufacturer.
Obtaining, processing and us-
ing personal data outside of
the normal provision of ser-
vices requires legal permission,
contractual agreement or con-
sent. It is also possible to have
the entire data connection ac-
tivated or deactivated. Stat-
utory functions are excluded
from this.
Services from other providers
When using online services
from other providers, these
services are subject to the re-
sponsibility and the data pro-
tection and operating con-
ditions of the individual pro-
vider. The vehicle manufacturer
has no influence on the con-
tent that is exchanged in this
instance. Information on the
type, scope and purpose of the
data capture and use of per-
sonal data as part of the ser-
vices of third parties can be
ascertained from the individual
provider.

GENERAL VIEWS
02

GENERAL VIEW, LEFT SIDE 14
GENERAL VIEW, RIGHT SIDE 15
BEHIND THE SIDE TRIM PANEL, RIGHT 16
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, LEFT 17
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, RIGHT 18
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 19

14 GENERAL VIEWS
GENERAL VIEW, LEFT SIDE
1Fuel filler neck ( 91)
2Power socket ( 144)
3Tyre pressure table (be-
hind the side trim panel)
( 111)
Disengage diagnostic
socket (behind fairing
bracket) ( 141)
4Reverser ( 66)
5Type plate