BMW R 1250 RT - Owner's Manual > Starting

Start engine

• Switch on the ignition.
• Pre-Ride-Check is performed.
• ABS self-diagnosis is in progress.
• ASC self-diagnosis is performed.
• Select neutral or, if a gear is engaged, pull the clutch lever.

NOTICE You cannot start the motorcycle with the side stand extended and a gear engaged. The engine will switch itself off if you start it with the gearbox in neutral and then engage a gear before retracting the side stand.

• When starting a cold engine at low ambient temperatures: disengage the clutch and turn the twistgrip slightly to open the throttle.

• Press starter button 1.

NOTICE The start attempt is automatically interrupted if battery voltage is too low. Recharge the battery before you start the engine, or use jump leads and a donor battery to start.

See the subsection on jump starting in "Maintenance" for more details.

• The engine starts.
• If the engine refuses to start, consult the troubleshooting chart in the section entitled "Technical data".

Pre-Ride-Check

The instrument cluster runs a test of the general warning light with the Pre-Ride-Check when the ignition is switched on.

Phase 1

lights up yellow.

• Needles of the instruments move from the start to the end point once.

Phase 2

lights up red.

Phase 3

• General warning light goes out and display changes to operating information.

• The malfunction indicator lamp only goes out after 15 seconds.

If the general warning light is not shown:

WARNING Faulty "General" warning light.

No indication of malfunctions.

• Check that the 'General' warning light comes on, and that it shows red and yellow.

 

• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad Retailer.

ABS self-diagnosis

BMW Motorrad Integral ABS performs self-diagnosis to ensure its operability. Self-diagnosis starts automatically when you switch on the ignition.

Phase 1

Test of the diagnosis-compatible system components with the vehicle at a standstill.

flashes.

Phase 2

Test of the wheel-speed sensors as the vehicle pulls away from rest.

flashes.

ABS self-diagnosis completed

• The ABS indicator and warning light goes out.

If an indicator showing an ABS fault appears when ABS self-diagnosis completes:

• You can continue to ride. Bear in mind that neither the ABS function nor the integral braking function is available.
• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer.

ASC self-diagnosis

BMW Motorrad ASC performs self-diagnosis to ensure its operability.

Self-diagnosis is performed automatically when you switch on the ignition.

Phase 1

• Test of the diagnosable system components with the vehicle at a standstill.

slow-flashes.

Phase 2

• Test of the diagnosis-compatible system components while the motorcycle is on the move.

slow-flashes.

ASC self-diagnosis completed

• The ASC indicator and warning light goes out.
• Check all the indicator and warning lights.

If an indicator showing an ASC fault appears when ASC self-diagnosis completes:

• You can continue to ride. Bear in mind that the ASC function is not available.
• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer.

DTC self-diagnosis

- with riding modes Pro OE

BMW Motorrad DTC performs self-diagnosis to ensure its operability.

Self-diagnosis is performed automatically when you switch on the ignition.

Phase 1

• Test of the diagnosable system components with the vehicle at a standstill.

slow-flashes.

Phase 2

• Test of the diagnosis-compatible system components while the motorcycle is on the move.

slow-flashes.

DTC self-diagnosis completed

• The DTC indicator and warning light goes out.
• Check all the indicator and warning lights.

If an indicator showing an DTC fault appears when DTC self-diagnosis completes:

• You can continue to ride. Bear in mind that the DTC function is not available or the functionality might be subject to certain restrictions.
• Have the fault rectified as quickly as possible by a specialist workshop, preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer.

Running in

Engine

• Until the first running-in check, vary the throttle opening and engine-speed range frequently; avoid riding at constant engine rpm for prolonged periods.
• Try to do most of your riding during this initial period on twisting, fairly hilly roads, avoiding high-speed main roads and highways if possible.
• Comply with the rpm limits for running in.

Brake pads

New brake pads have to bed down before they can achieve their optimum friction levels. You can compensate for this initial reduction in braking efficiency by exerting greater pressure on the levers.

WARNING New brake pads

Longer stopping distance, risk of accident

• Apply the brakes in good time.

Tyres

New tyres have a smooth surface.

This must be roughened by riding in a restrained manner at various heel angles until the tyres are run in. This running in procedure is essential if the tyres are to achieve maximum grip.

WARNING New tyres losing grip on wet roads and at extreme bank angles

Risk of accident

• Ride carefully and avoid extremely sharp inclines.

Shifting gear

- with shift assistant Pro OE

Shift assistant Pro

Requirement

The shift assistant assists up-shifts and downshifts without the rider having to pull the clutch or close the throttle. This is not an automatic-shift system. The rider is the most important part of the system and decides when to shift gears.

NOTICE See the section entitled "Engineering details" for more information on the Pro shift assistant.

NOTICE Whenever the Pro shift assistant shifts down, cruise control is automatically disengaged for safety reasons.

• You select the gear in the usual way by means of the foot-operated shift lever.
• The sensor 1 on the gearshift shaft registers the gearshift request and triggers shift assistance.
• When riding at a steady speed in a low gear at high engine rpm, an attempt to shift gear without pulling the clutch can cause a severe load-change reaction. BMW Motorrad recommends disengaging the clutch for shifts in these circumstances.

  It is advisable to avoid using the shift assistant at engine speeds close to the limits at which the governor cuts in to limit engine rpm.

• Shift assistance is not available in the following situations:
  • With clutch lever pulled.
  • Gearshift lever not in its initial position.
  • Upshifts with the throttle valve closed (coasting overrun) and when decelerating.
  • When shifting down with the throttle valve open or when accelerating.
• After a gearshift, the shift lever has to be fully released before another gearshift with the shift assistant can take place.

See also: