BMW R 1150 RT User manual

1
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
BMW Motorrad
On-board
documentation
consisting of
Rider's Manual
and Maintenance
Instructions
Rider’s Manual (US Model)
R 1150 RT
R 850 RT
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
This symbol indicates pre-
cautionsandmeasureswhich
are essential in pro-tecting
the rider or other persons
from severe or fatal injury.

Specific instructions and safety
precautions intended to pre-
vent damage to the motorcycle.
Disregarding them may render
the warranty invalid.

Specific instructions on how to
operate, control, adjust or look
after items of equipment on the
motorcycle.
Important notes
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1
Introduction
i
Welcome to BMW
We congratulate you on choos-
ing a new Boxer model from
BMW and welcome you to the
worldwide community of BMW
riders.
Familiarize yourself with your
new bike, so that you can ride it
safely and confidently in all traf-
fic situations.
To make sure of this, please
read this Rider’s Manual care-
fully before starting to use your
new bike. It contains important
information on how to operate
the controls and how to make
the best possible use of all the
bike’s technical features.
In addition, it contains useful
hints and information on the
correct equipment for machine
and rider, to ensure maximum
reliability and safety, and advice
on how to maintain the value of
your bike.
If you have any questions con-
cerning your bike, your BMW
Motorrad retailer will gladly pro-
vide advice and assistance.
We hope you enjoy reading this
Rider’s Manual and wish you
many a pleasant, safe journey
on your BMW bike.
Best wishes
BMW Motorrad
Welcome to BMW
10r22bku3.book Seite 1 Freitag, 27. Januar 2006 1:22 13

i
2
Introduction
General information and con-
trols
General view, left side...........4
General view, right side.........5
Cockpit .................................6
Indicator and warning lights ..7
Ignition switch and steering
lock....................................8-9
Left handlebar fitting ...........10
Right handlebar fitting .........11
Seats .............................12-13
System case ..................14-15
Adjusting the windshield .....16
Hazard warning flashers......17
Safety check
Checklist........................18-19
Engine oil.......................20-21
Fuel................................22-23
Handlebar levers............24-25
Brake system
- general ........................26-27
- with BMW Integral ABS28-31
Clutch................................. 32
Lights.............................33-35
Shock absorbers ................ 36
Suspension spring preload . 37
Wheels...........................38-39
Loads.............................40-41
Contents
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i
3
Introduction
Starting – Riding – Parking
First time out ................. 42-43
Important notes............. 44-45
Side stand..................... 46-47
Center stand ................. 48-49
Running in..................... 50-51
Before you start............. 52-53
Starting ......................... 54-55
Indicator and warning
lights ............................. 56-57
Rider Information Display
(RID) .............................. 58-59
Riding, gear shifts.......... 60-61
Brake system
- general........................ 62-63
- with BMW Integral ABS64-70
BMW Integral ABS fault
table....................................71
Arrive safely
Arrive safely....................72-73
Service worldwide...............74
Environmental protection ....75
BMW rider’s equipment.......76
BMW motorcycle
accessories.........................77
Training means extra safety.78
Concluding thoughts...........79
Contents
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4
General information and controls
1
54
3
2
16
7
8
9
10
General view, left side
1Storage compartment
2Reservoir for clutch fluid
3Engine oil filler (b21)
4Power socket, 12V
Provision for connecting
additional equipment –
max. load 5 A
5Lifting handle (b48-49)
6Dual seat lock (b12)
7Suspension strut,
shock absorber adjustment
(b36)
8Primary spark plug, left
9Secondary spark plug,
only R 1150 RT
10 Oil level sight glass, engine
(b21)
( ) Figure in brackets bpage number for
description
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5
General information and controls
1
14
13
18 15
19
12
11
17 16 20
11 Storage compartment for
toolkit
12 Fuse box
13 Fuel filler cap (b22)
14 Brake fluid reservoir,
front brake (b30)
( ) Figure in brackets bpage number for
description
15 Type plate/vehicle
identification number
16 Primary spark plug, right
17 Secondary spark plug,
only R 1150 RT
18 Brake fluid reservoir,
rear brake (b31)
19 Handwheel for adjusting
suspension strut (b37)
20 Helmet holder
General view, right side
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6
General information and controls
1
1Front fog lamp switch
2Speedometer
3Odometer
4Trip odometer
5Rotary reset knob for trip
odometer
6Tachometer (b50)
7Rider Information Display
(RID) (b58-59)
8Headlight range control
rotary button
9Indicator and warning lights
(b7)
10 Ignition switch and steering
lock (b8)
11 Radio displayOE
(bSupplementary Rider’s
Manual)
( ) Figure in brackets bpage number for
description
OE Optional equipment
Cockpit
35
4
2
167
11 8 910
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7
General information and controls
1
Indicator and warning lights
1Left turn indicator repeater
green s
2Warninglight batterycharge
red r(b56)
3Warning light tank capacity/
when approx. 4 liters (1.1
gallons) remain in tank
orange m (b23, 56)
4Neutral indicator (transmis-
sion) green k(b53)
( ) Figure in brackets bpage number for
description
5Warning light ABS lred
(b56, 68)
6Warning light, general
red e (b56, 68)
7Warning light engine oil
pressure red p (b56)
8Indicator light Right turn
indicator repeater green t
9Indicator light fog lamp
green t
10 High-beam headlight indi-
cator blue q
35
4
2
167
10
8
9
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8
General information and controls
1
Keys
You will receive two master
keys and one spare key.
The key number is on the
accompanying plastic tag.

Ignition switch and steering
lock, tank filler cap lock and du-
alseat lock are all operated with
the same key. The key also fits
the storage compartment and
System cases.

Only RESIDUAL BRAKING
FUNCTIONALITY is available
when the ignition is switched off
(b67)
Ignition switch and steering lock
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9
General information and controls
1
Ignition switch and steering lock
Key positions

Never turn the key to OFF or I
while riding the motorcycle!
ON Operating position,
ignition, lights and all
electrical circuits
switched on
R * Ignition and lights off,
steering lock disengaged
(handlebars can be turned
freely to left or right)
* The key can be removed in these
positions
•Turn the handlebars to full left
lock.

Engage the steering lock with
the handlebars in this position
only.
OFF* Ignition and lights off,
steering locked
I* *Parking light on,
steering locked

Switch the parking light on
only for limited periods. Note
state of battery charge.
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10
General information and controls
1

To prevent air from entering
the clutch system:
•Do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar.
1Cold start lever
(increased engine speed)
(b54-55)
2High/low (dipped) headlight
switch
FHigh (main) beam
GLow (dipped) beam
FHeadlight flasher
OE Optional equipment
3Hazard warning flasher
switch
4Rocker switch, electric
windshield adjustment
(b16)
5Audio system handlebar
remote controlOE
(bSupplementary Rider’s
Manual)
6Horn button
7Left turn indicator switch
•Press
–Turn indicators flash
To switch off:
•Press turn indicator can-
cel switch 12
Left handlebar fitting
5
4
3
2
1
76
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11
General information and controls
1
B
C
11
12
B
C
8910
A

To prevent air from entering
the brake system:
•Do not turn the fitting on the
handlebar.
8Switchfor heated handlebar
gripsOE
AHeating off
B50% (center position)
C100%
9Starter button
10 Emergency off (kill) switch
for ignition (b52)
11 Flashing turn indicator
switch, right
•Press
–Turn indicators flash
To switch off:
•Press turn indicator can-
cel switch 12
12 Turn indicator cancel switch
•Press
–Left/right indicators off
OE Optional equipment
Right handlebar fitting
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12
General information and controls
1
Removing dualseat
•Turn the key in the dualseat
lock to position 1and hold it
there
•Take off the rear section of
the seat
–Toolkit is then accessible
•Take off the front section of
the seat
•This gives access to the
fuses, and the rider's seat can
be adjusted
1
Dualseat
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13
General information and controls
1
ABC
2
Adjusting seat height

When installing the dualseat,
make sure that it is firmly located.
•Take off the front section of
the seat
•Lift up seat holder 2, position it
to suit the rider's size and
engage it in the chosen position
There are three rider's seat
height positions:
A= high B= center C= low
Locking the seats

When installing the dualseat,
make sure that it is firmly located.
•Push the rider's seat into its
catch
•Slide the rear section of the
seat into the guide and press
lightly to lock it into the seat
holder
Dualseat
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14
General information and controls
1
System case

After an accident or if the
motorcycle has fallen over,
check that the System cases
are correctly secured!
Max. load per System case:
10 kg (approx. 22 lbs).
With System cases installed,
it is advisable not to exceed
80 mph (130 km/h).
Opening the System case
•Turn key in case lock to posi-
tion A
•Pull up the carrying handle 1
and catch 2
–The two indicators 3 turn red
•Open the System case
Closing the System case

Risk of breaking the locking
tongue.
Before closing handle 1or lock-
ing system 2, turn the keyin the
case lock to position A.
•Turn key in case lock to posi-
tion A
•Push down catch 2 and carry-
ing handle 1
–The two indicators 3turn
black
•Lock the case and remove
the key
3
1
2
A
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15
General information and controls
1
Removing System case
•Turn key in case lock to posi-
tion A
•Pull up carrying handle 1
–The two indicators 3turn red
•Remove the key and lift the
System case off its holder
Installing System case

Risk of breaking the locking
tongue.
Before closing handle 1or lock-
ing system 2, turn the key in the
case lock to position A.

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 and the
upper hook
•Turn key in case lock to posi-
tion A
•Fold the carrying handle 1
down
–The two windows 3will show
a black signal
•Lock the case and remove
the key
System case
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16
General information and controls
1
Adjusting the windshield

Do not open the storage com-
partment 1 while riding the
motorcycle
—risk of accident.
Adjusting the windshield
•Switching on the ignition
•Press rocker switch 2
•Adjust windshield according
to switch positions Aor B
2A
B
A
B
1
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17
General information and controls
1
Hazard warning lights

You cannot activate the hazard
warning flashers if the ignition is
switched off.
Do not use the hazard warning
flashers for longer than abso-
lutely necessary.
Note state of battery charge.
Switching on the hazard
warning lights:
•Switching on the ignition
–Hazard warning lights
switch 1up
•Actuate hazard warning lights
switch 1
–Hazard warning lights in oper-
ation
–The left/right flashing turn
indicator on the indicator light
panel (b7) flashes
•Switch off the ignition
–The hazard warning lights
continue to operate
–The light in the hazard warn-
ing flasher switch goes out
Switching off the hazard
warning lights:
•Actuate hazard warning lights
switch 1
–Hazard warning lights switch
off
–Left/Right flashing turn indica-
tor on the indicator lightpanel
(b7) off
Hazard warning flashers
1
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2
18
Safety check
Checklist
Use the safety checklist –
before every journey
Please perform the safety
check accurately. If your
motorcycle needs any routine
maintenance, you can then
attend to it before the journey
starts
(bMaintenance Instructions),
or, for example have it
performed by your authorized
BMW Motorrad retailer.
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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