BMW R 1200 GS - Installation and maintenance manual

Rider's Manual
R 1200 GS
BMW Motorrad
The Ultimate
Riding Machine

Vehicle data/dealership details
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 (com-
pany 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 this Rider's Manual
Please read this Rider's Manual
carefully before starting to use
your new BMW. It contains im-
portant information on how to
operate the controls and how to
make the best possible use of all
your BMW's technical features.
In addition, it contains informa-
tion on maintenance and care to
help you maintain your vehicle's
reliability and safety, as well as its
value.
Suggestions and criticism
If you have questions concerning
your motorcycle, your authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer will gladly
provide advice and assistance.
We hope you will enjoy riding
your BMW and that all your jour-
neys will be pleasant and safe
BMW Motorrad.
01 41 8 563 201
*01418563201*
*01418563201*
*01418563201*

Table of Contents
1 General instructions ... . 5
Overview..................... 6
Abbreviations and
symbols...................... 6
Equipment ................... 7
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Actuality...................... 7
2 General views .. .. .. .. .. .. 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . 11
General view, right side . . . . . 13
Underneath the seat . . . . . . . . 14
Multifunction switch, left . . . . 15
Multifunction switch,
right......................... 17
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3 Status indicators . . . . . . . 19
Warning and telltale
lights ........................ 20
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 22
Warning symbols in the
display ...................... 24
Warnings.................... 25
Ambient temperature. . . . . . . . 39
Fuel reserve................. 40
Oil level ..................... 40
Service-due indicator . . . . . . . . 41
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Recommendation to up-
shift ......................... 42
4 Operation................ 43
Ignition ...................... 44
Ignition with Key-
less Ride .................... 46
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 51
Anti-theft alarm (DWA) . . . . . . 57
Emergency off switch (kill
switch) ...................... 59
Headlight.................... 60
Lights ....................... 61
Daytime riding light . . . . . . . . . . 62
Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Hazard warning flashers . . . . . 65
BMW Motorrad Integ-
ral ABS...................... 65
Automatic Stability Control
ASC......................... 66
Riding mode ................ 67
Cruise-control system . . . . . . . 71
Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Damping .................... 74
Dynamic ESA, electronic
suspension adjustment . . . . . . 75
Clutch....................... 77
Brakes ...................... 78
Tyres........................ 78
Handlebars.................. 79
Heated handlebar grips . . . . . 79
Mirrors ...................... 80
Windscreen ................. 80
Front and rear seats . . . . . . . . . 81
5 Riding.................... 85
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . 86
Comply with checklist . . . . . . . 89
Starting...................... 89
Runningin .................. 91
Shifting gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Brakes ...................... 93
Parking your motorcycle . . . . 95
Off-roading.................. 96
Refuelling ................... 97

Securing motorcycle for
transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
6 Engineering
details ................. 103
Riding mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Shift assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Brake system with
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS....................... 106
Electronic engine manage-
ment with BMW Motorrad
ASC....................... 110
Tyre pressure monitoring
RDC....................... 112
7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 115
General instructions . . . . . . . 116
Toolkit..................... 116
Engine oil ................. 117
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Coolant.................... 122
Clutch..................... 124
Rims and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Wheels.................... 125
Front-wheel stand . . . . . . . . . 132
Lighting ................... 133
Air filter.................... 138
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Battery .................... 141
Fuses ..................... 145
8 Accessories .. .. .. .. .. . 147
General instructions . . . . . . . 148
Power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Navigation system . . . . . . . . . 149
Cases ..................... 154
Topcase................... 157
9 Care.................... 161
Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . 162
Cleaning easily damaged
components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Paint care ................. 164
Laying up the motor-
cycle ...................... 164
Protective wax coating . . . . 164
Restoring motorcycle to
use........................ 165
10 Technical data . . . . . . 167
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 168
Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . 169
Engine .................... 171
Fuel....................... 172
Engine oil ................. 173
Clutch..................... 173
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . 174
Running gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Brakes .................... 176
Wheels and tyres. . . . . . . . . . 177
Electrics................... 179
Frame..................... 180
Anti-theft alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Weights ................... 182
Riding specifications . . . . . . 182
11 Service ............... 183
BMW Motorrad Service . . . 184
BMW Motorrad Mobility
services ................... 184
Maintenance work . . . . . . . . . 184
Maintenance schedule . . . . 187
Standard BMW service . . . . 188
Confirmation of mainten-
ance work................. 189
Confirmation of service . . . . 194