BMW F900XR - Owner's Manual > Starting

Starting engine

ATTENTION Sufficient gearbox lubrication only with the engine is running.

Gearbox damage

• Do not allow the motorcycle to roll for a lengthy period of time or push it a long distance with the engine switched off.

 

• Switch on the ignition.

  Pre-Ride-Check is performed.

  ABS self-diagnosis is in progress.

  ASC self-diagnosis is in progress.

  - with riding modes Pro OE DTC self-diagnosis is in progress.

• 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.

• Press the 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 instruments and the indicator and warning lights when the ignition is switched on. This test is known as the Pre-Ride- Check. The check is aborted if you start the engine before it completes.

Phase 1

All indicator and warning lights are switched on.

After a longer vehicle standstill period, an animation is displayed when the system starts up.

Phase 2

The 'General' warning light changes from red to yellow.

Phase 3

All the indicator and warning lights switched on in the initial phase are switched off in reverse sequence.

The malfunction indicator lamp only goes out after 15 seconds.

If one of the indicator and warning lights did not switch on:

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

ABS self-diagnosis

BMW Motorrad 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.

ABS indicator light flashes.

Phase 2

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

ABS indicator light flashes.

ABS self-diagnosis completed

The ABS indicator and warning light goes out.

ABS self-diagnosis not completed

• The ABS function is not available, because self-diagnosis did not complete. (The motorcycle has to reach a defined minimum speed for the wheel speed sensors to be checked: 5 km/h)

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

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

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.

ASC indicator and warning light slow-flashes.

Phase 2

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

ASC indicator and warning light slow-flashes.

ASC self-diagnosis completed

The ASC indicator and warning light goes out.

• Observe all the indicator and warning lights.

ASC self-diagnosis not completed

• The ASC function is not available, because self-diagnosis did not complete. (The motorcycle has to reach a defined minimum speed for the wheel sensors to be checked: min 5 km/h)

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 retailer.

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

DTC indicator and warning light slow-flashes.

Phase 2

Pullaway test of the system components with diagnostic capability.

DTC indicator and warning light slow-flashes.

DTC self-diagnosis completed

The DTC symbol no longer shows.

• Observe all the indicator and warning lights.

DTC self-diagnosis not completed

• The DTC function is not available, because self-diagnosis did not complete. (The motorcycle has to reach a defined minimum speed with the engine running for the wheel-speed sensors to be checked: min 5 km/h)

If an indicator showing a 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 retailer.

Running in

Engine

• Until the 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 running-in speeds.

Running-in speed

• <6500 min-1 (Odometer reading 0...1200 km)

Running-in speed

• No full load (Odometer reading 0...1200 km)

Note the mileage after which the running-in check should be carried out.

Mileage until the first running-in check

• 500...1200 km

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

Gear Shift Assistant Pro

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

• Select the gears in the usual way by using the foot-operated gearshift lever.

  The shift assistant assists upshifts 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.
  • 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 Gear Shift Assistant Pro 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.
  • Shift lever not in its initial position Upshifts with the throttle valve closed (engine overrun) and when slowing.
  • Downshifts with throttle valve open and when accelerating.
• Once the gearshift has completed the shift lever has to be fully released before another gearshift with the Gear Shift Assistant Pro can take place.

  See the "Engineering details" section for more information on Gear Shift Assistant Pro:
  Gear Shift Assistant Pro

Shift light

Function

The gearshift light 1 indicates to the rider that the speed for shifting to the next higher gear is approaching.

• Shift light flashes at preset frequency: Approaching upshift rpm
• Shift light goes out: Engine revving at upshift rpm

The engine-speed thresholds and the way in which the shift light indicates the various states can be customised in the Settings menu, Vehicle settings (see the section headed "Operation").

See also: