BMW R 850 RT 2004 Operating and maintenance instructions

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
Maintenance Instructions (US Model)
R 850 RT
R 1150 RT
20rtbku4.book Seite 73 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

Please note

This symbol indicates pre-
cautions and measures which
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.
20rtbku4.book Seite 78 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

1
BMW Service
1
For safety reasons and to
maintain the value of your
motorcycle, regular
maintenance intervals have
been established.
Always keep to the specified
maintenance intervals. This is
the only way to ensure that war-
ranty claims are not invalidated.
The contents of the mainte-
nance schedules are subject to
change, for reasons of safety,
due to modifications in materi-
als etc.
Your authorized BMW motorcy-
cle retailer is the best place to
keep you informed as to current
Services, Inspections and An-
nual Services.
Important!
BMW refuses to accept liability
for damage or consequential
damage due to repairs or ser-
vice work performed by work-
shops other than BMW-
authorized workshops.
Therefore, we recommend hav-
ing the maintenance work car-
ried out and confirmed in the
Maintenance Instructions by
the specially trained experts at
your authorized BMW motorcy-
cle retailer.
authorized BMW motorcycle
retailers are supplied with the
latest technical information and
have the necessary technical
know-how and specially trained
staff.
Please contact your authorized
BMW motorcycle retailer if you
have any questions regarding
your motorcycle.
authorized BMW motorcycle
retailers are fully informed about
all aspects of your motorcycle
and will gladly advise and assist
you.
Best wishes,
BMW Motorrad
Dear motorcycle enthusiast
20rtbku4.book Seite 1 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

2
BMW Service
1
For your own safety, use only
genuine BMW spare parts and
accessories approved by
BMW.
If you choose original accesso-
ries and spare parts that have
been tested and approved by
the manufacturer, you can be
sure that BMW has performed
the appropriate tests to confirm
their suitability for use on your
motorcycle. BMW accepts full
liability for these products.
Note, however, that BMW is
unable to accept liability for
spare parts and accessories
which it has not approved.
BMW cannot assess every sin-
gle product of outside origin in
order to decide whether it can
be used on or with a BMW vehi-
cle without constituting a safety
hazard.
Nor is approval by an official
technical inspection authority,
or even the granting of a gen-
eral operating permit necessar-
ily a sufficient guarantee, since
these test procedures are not
always adequate.
Genuine BMW spare parts,
accessories and other products
which BMW has approved can
be obtained from all authorized
BMW motorcycle retailers,
together with expert advice on
their installation and use.
Important safety information!
20rtbku4.book Seite 2 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

3
BMW Service
1
Maintenance work is divided
into Service, Inspection and
Annual Inspection.
BMW Inspection 600 miles
(1,000 km)
BMW Break-in Check after the
first 600 miles (1,000 km).
BMW Service
After the first 6,000 miles
(10,000 km) and every addi-
tional 12,000 miles (20,000 km)
(18,000 miles (30,000 km),
30,000 miles (50,000 km),
45,000 miles (70,000 km) etc.)
BMW Inspection
After the first 12,000 miles
(20,000 km) and every addi-
tional 12,000 miles ( 20,000 km)
(25,000 miles (40,000 km),
37,000 miles (60,000 km),
50,000 miles (80,000 km) etc.)
BMW Annual Inspection
Certain items of maintenance
work depend on elapsed time
as well as the distance the
motorcycle has been driven.
They must therefore be carried
out at least once a year (e.g.
changing brake fluid).
If these items cannot be per-
formed during a Service or an
Inspection, an Annual Inspec-
tion must be performed.

Every authorized BMW motor-
cycle retailer has a fixed scale
of charges based on work times
and carefully calculated hourly
rates. Fuel, lubricants and simi-
lar substances, filters, gaskets
etc. are charged separately.
Maintenance schedule
If you are interested, you can
view and download the current
maintenance schedule for your
motorcycle on the Internet at
www.bmw-motorrad.com/
maintenance.
Maintenance work
20rtbku4.book Seite 3 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

4
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
600 miles (1,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
12,000 miles (20,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW
Pre-Delivery Check
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
6,000 miles (10,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 4 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

5
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
24,000 miles (40,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
18,000 miles (30,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
30,000 miles (50,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 5 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

6
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
48,000 miles (80,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
60,000miles (100,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
42,000 miles (70,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
54,000 miles (90,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 6 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

7
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
72,000 miles( 120,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
84,000 miles (140,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
66,000 miles(110,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
78,000 miles (130,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 7 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

8
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
96,000 miles (160,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
108,000 miles (180,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
90,000 miles (150,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
102,000 miles (170,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 8 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

9
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Inspection
124,000 miles
( 200,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Inspection
136,000 miles
(220,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
118,000 miles
(190,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Service
130,000 miles
(210,000 km)
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 9 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

10
BMW Service
1
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
Confirmation of maintenance work
20rtbku4.book Seite 10 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

11
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of maintenance work
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
BMW Annual Inspection
Performed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
Brake fluid changed:
Without BMW Integral ABS
annually
yes no
With BMW Integral ABS
Wheel Circuit - annually
yes no
Control circuit - every 2 years
yes no
Clutch fluid changed:
every 2 years
yes no
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 11 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

12
BMW Service
1
The list is intended as a record of maintenance, warranty and
repair work, the installation of optional accessories and, if appro-
priate, special campaign work.
Record of all work performed in workshop
Work performed km/mile Date
Confirmation of service
20rtbku4.book Seite 12 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

13
BMW Service
1
The list is intended as a record of maintenance, warranty and
repair work, the installation of optional accessories and, if appro-
priate, special campaign work.
Record of all work performed in workshop
Work performed km/mile Date
Confirmation of service
20rtbku4.book Seite 13 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

14
BMW Service
1
Confirmation of service
Odometer replaced
Odometer reading is not total
distance covered.
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
Odometer replaced
Odometer reading is not total
distance covered.
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
Odometer replaced
Odometer reading is not total
distance covered.
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
Odometer replaced
Odometer reading is not total
distance covered.
Odometer reading
Date, stamp, signature
20rtbku4.book Seite 14 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

15
Maintenance and care
2
Your motorcycle is equipped
with Digital Motor Electronic
(MOTRONIC) engine manage-
ment and a high-power ignition
system.

When the engine is running or
the ignition is switched on, do
not touch electrically live
components, terminals or
wiring.
Risk of fatal accident!
Work on the electrical system
only when the circuit has
been broken (switch off igni-
tion and lights). For greater
safety, disconnect and insu-
late the negative battery lead.
If you intend to perform the
maintenance and general care
work described in the following
section yourself, you must pos-
sess the necessary knowledge
of technical matters and
mechanical skills.
Your motorcycle is built to high
technological standards. Spe-
cial tools and purpose-
designed diagnosis and testing
equipment, together with the
appropriate knowledge, are
needed to keep your motorcy-
cle in optimum working order.
General instructions
20rtbku4.book Seite 15 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

16
Maintenance and care
2
General instructions
Authorized BMW motorcycle
retailers have the necessary
technical know-how and spe-
cially trained staff.
They can guarantee that your
motorcycle is always main-
tained in a fault-free technical
condition.
Remember: the safety and
reliability of your motorcycle are
the most important
considerations.
You should therefore not
attempt any complex repair or
maintenance tasks.
Keep to the specified Inspec-
tion and Service intervals.
BMW refuses to accept liability
for damage or consequential
damage due to repairs or ser-
vice work performed by work-
shops other than BMW-
authorized workshops.
20rtbku4.book Seite 16 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

17
Maintenance and care
2
General instructions
Technical modifications

The data stored in the
MOTRONIC control unit is the
result of extensive experi-
mental and testing work.
Tampering with the
MOTRONIC control unit rep-
resents an increased safety
risk for the rider.

Tampering with the MOTRONIC
control unit invalidates the
warranty.
There is only limited scope for
technical modifications to the
motorcycle.
Whenever you are planning
such modifications, comply
with all applicable legal require-
ments. The motorcycle must
not infringe your national road-
vehicle construction and use
regulations.
Your authorized BMW motorcy-
cle retailer will gladly advise you
on technical requirements, the
manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions and the overall benefit
likely to be obtained.
Genuine BMW parts
For reasons of safety, use only
genuine BMW parts and
accessories.
Genuine BMW parts are
identical with those fitted to
your motorcycle as original
equipment.
BMW Motorrad shall assume
no liability whatsoever for spare
parts and accessories of other
manufacturers.
20rtbku4.book Seite 17 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17

18
Maintenance and care
2
Troubleshooting chart
Malfunction: Engine does not start at all or is very difficult to start
Possible cause Remedy See bPage
Wrong ignition key
position
Operate correctly Rider’s Manual
Kill switch on Operate correctly Rider’s Manual
Side stand out and
gear engaged
Operate correctly Rider’s Manual
Power supply
interrupted
Blown fuse b47
Gear engaged,
clutch not released
Select neutral or pull
clutch lever
Rider’s Manual
No fuel in tank Add fuel Rider’s Manual
Fuel pump not
working
Blown fuse 6 b47
Wrong twistgrip/
choke setting
Operate correctly Rider’s Manual
Blocked air filter
element
Replace b48
Spark plug/leads or
caps wet
Blow out/dry with
compressed air
Insufficient battery
charge
Recharge battery b49
20rtbku4.book Seite 18 Dienstag, 15. Juni 2004 5:27 17