BMW F900XR - Owner's Manual > Safety instructions

Rider's equipment

The following clothing will protect you on every journey:

• Helmet
• Suit
• Gloves
• Boots

This applies even to short journeys, and to every season of the year. Your authorised BMW Motorrad retailer will be glad to advise you on the correct clothing for every purpose.

Restricted angle of heel

- with low-slung OE

A motorcycle with lowered suspension has less ground clearance and cannot corner at angles of heel as extreme as those achievable by a counterpart motorcycle with standard-height suspension (see the section entitled "Technical data").

WARNING When a motorcycle with lowered suspension is cornering, certain components can come into contact with the surface at a bank angle less than that to which the rider is accustomed.

Risk of falling

• Carefully try out the limits of the motorcycle's bank angle and adapt your style of riding accordingly.

Test your motorcycle's angle of heel in situations that do not involve risk. When riding over kerbs and similar obstacles, bear in mind that your motorcycle's ground clearance is limited.

Lowering the motorcycle's suspension shortens suspension travel. Ride comfort might be restricted as a result. Be sure to adjust spring preload accordingly, particularly for riding two-up.

Loading correctly

WARNING Handling adversely affected by overloading and imbalanced loads

Risk of falling

• Do not exceed the permissible gross weight and be sure to comply with the instructions on loading.

 

• Adjusting spring preload setting and damping to the total weight.

  - with touring cases OA

• Ensure that the case volumes on the left and right are equal.
• Make sure that the weight is uniformly distributed between right and left.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom of the cases and toward the inboard side.
• Note the maximum permissible payload and maximum permissible speed (see also the section entitled "Accessories").

Payload per case

• max 5 kg

- with topcase OA

• Note the maximum permissible payload and maximum permissible speed (see also the section entitled "Accessories").

Payload of topcase

• max 5 kg

Speed

If you ride at high speed, always bear in mind that various boundary conditions can adversely affect the handling of your motorcycle, e.g.:

• Spring-strut and shock-absorber system not set up correctly
• Imbalanced load
• Loose clothing
• Insufficient tyre pressure
• Poor tyre tread
• Added luggage systems such as cases, topcase and tank rucksack.

Risk of poisoning

Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless but highly toxic.

WARNING Exhaust gases adversely affecting health

Risk of asphyxiation

• Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
• Do not run the engine in an enclosed space.

Risk of burn injury

CAUTION Engine and exhaust system become very hot when the vehicle is in use

Risk of burn injury

• When you park the vehicle make sure that no-one and no objects can come into contact with the hot engine and exhaust system.

Catalytic converter

If misfiring causes unburned fuel to enter the catalytic converter, there is a danger of overheating and damage.

The following guidelines must be observed:

• Do not run the fuel tank dry
• Do not attempt to start or run the engine with a spark-plug cap disconnected
• Stop the engine immediately if it misfires
• Use only unleaded fuel
• Comply with all specified maintenance intervals.

ATTENTION Unburned fuel in catalytic converter

Damage to catalytic converter

• Note the points listed for protection of the catalytic converter.

Risk of overheating

ATTENTION Engine running for prolonged period with vehicle at standstill

Overheating due to insufficient cooling; in extreme cases vehicle fire

• Do not allow the engine to idle unnecessarily.
• Ride away immediately after starting the engine.

Tampering

ATTENTION Tampering with the motorcycle (e.g. engine management ECU, throttle valves, clutch)

Damage to the affected parts, failure of safety-relevant functions, voiding of warranty

• Do not tamper with the vehicle in any way that could result in tuned performance.

Regular check

Comply with checklist

• At regular intervals, use the checklist below to check your motorcycle.

Always before riding off:

• Check operation of the brake system.
• Check operation of the lights and signalling equipment.
• Check operation of the clutch.
• Check the tyre tread depth.
• Check the tyre pressures.
• Check security of cases and luggage.

When load status changes:

- without Dynamic ESA OE

• Adjust the spring preload for rear wheel.
• Adjust the damping for rear wheel.

- with Dynamic ESA OE

• Adjust the suspension.

Every 3rd refuelling stop:

• Check the engine oil level.
• Check the brake pad thickness, front brakes.
• Check the brake pad thickness, rear brakes.
• Check the brake-fluid level, front brakes.
• Check the brake-fluid level, rear brakes.
• Check the coolant level.
• Lubricate the chain.
• Check chain sag.

See also: