Segment:
Cruiser motorcycle segment.
Target Demographic:
Riders seeking comfortable, relaxed touring and cruising with BMW's renowned engineering and Boxer engine characteristics.
Key Competitors:
Harley-Davidson Sportster/Dyna models, Indian Scout, Japanese cruisers (e.g., Honda Shadow, Yamaha V-Star) with similar engine displacements and styles.
Unique Selling Proposition:
BMW's boxer engine configuration, shaft drive, sophisticated engineering, and potential for touring comfort differentiate it from many traditional V-twin cruisers.
Engine Type:
Air-cooled, four-stroke boxer twin engine.
Drive System:
Shaft drive, eliminating chain maintenance.
Design Philosophy:
Combines cruiser styling with BMW's characteristic build quality and engineering.
Primary Coverage:
Comprehensive service, repair, and diagnostic information for the BMW R850C motorcycle.
Maintenance Schedule:
Detailed scheduled maintenance procedures and intervals.
Engine Repair:
Complete engine disassembly, assembly, and overhaul procedures.
Fuel System:
Fuel injection system, fuel pump, injectors, and related components.
Electrical System:
Wiring diagrams, ignition system, charging system, lighting, and electronic control units (ECUs).
Chassis And Suspension:
Frame, forks, rear shock absorber, wheel bearings, steering head bearings.
Brakes:
Brake system components, hydraulic lines, calipers, master cylinders, ABS system (if applicable).
Drivetrain:
Transmission, clutch, final drive (shaft drive).
Bodywork And Trim:
Fairings, seats, body panels, and trim components.
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic procedures and symptom-based troubleshooting guides.
Estimated Pages:
Likely 300-500 pages, typical for a comprehensive workshop manual.
Type:
Workshop Service/Repair Manual
Target Audience:
Professional motorcycle technicians and experienced DIY mechanics.
Primary Language:
English
Digital Format:
Likely PDF (as typically sold for digital download)
Print Quality:
N/A (for digital format, but implies clear diagrams and text)
Searchability:
Likely searchable text within PDF for quick information retrieval.
Engine Mechanical:
Cylinder head, valves, piston, connecting rods, crankshaft, oil pump, timing.
Engine Management:
Engine Control Unit (ECU), sensors (crankshaft position, throttle position, lambda), actuators, ignition timing, fuel injection mapping.
Transmission Gearbox:
Gear selection mechanism, gearbox internal components, shifting drum, gear sets.
Clutch System:
Clutch plates, springs, hydraulic actuation system, clutch fluid.
Final Drive:
Shaft drive system, universal joints, bevel gears, final drive lubrication.
Front Suspension:
Telescopic forks, oil seals, fork springs, damping mechanisms.
Rear Suspension:
Monolever or Paralever swingarm (depending on specific R850C variant), shock absorber, linkage (if applicable), swingarm bearings.
Braking System:
Front and rear brake discs, calipers, master cylinders, brake lines, fluid specifications, ABS module and sensor diagnostics (if equipped).
Electrical Charging:
Alternator, voltage regulator, battery specifications and maintenance.
Electrical Ignition:
Ignition coils, spark plugs, ignition control module.
Lighting System:
Headlight, taillight, turn signals, brake light, instrument cluster lighting.
Instrumentation:
Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, diagnostic indicators.
Cooling System:
Oil cooling system (air-cooled boxer with oil cooling) - oil cooler, oil lines, oil filter, oil capacity.
Exhaust System:
Exhaust pipes, mufflers, catalytic converter (if fitted), lambda sensor.
Routine Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug checks, chain adjustment (if applicable, though R850C is shaft drive), tire pressure checks, brake pad inspection.
Major Service:
Valve clearance adjustment, synchronization of throttle bodies, fuel system cleaning, transmission oil change, final drive oil change.
Engine Rebuild:
Piston ring replacement, cylinder honing, bearing replacement, gasket and seal replacement, torque specifications for all engine components.
Suspension Overhaul:
Fork seal replacement, fork oil change, shock absorber service (if serviceable), bearing replacement.
Brake Service:
Brake pad replacement, caliper service, master cylinder rebuild, brake line replacement, bleeding procedure, ABS system bleeding.
Electrical Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting electrical faults using multimeter, checking sensor outputs, diagnosing ECU issues, wiring repair.
Fuel System Diagnosis:
Testing fuel pressure, injector flow rate testing, diagnosing fuel pump issues, ECU fuel trim analysis.
Troubleshooting Guides:
Step-by-step guides for common starting, running, and electrical issues.
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls, including electrical diagnostics and system troubleshooting.
Diagnostic Tools:
Likely references proprietary BMW diagnostic tools (e.g., MoDiTec) or equivalent procedures for ECU access and parameter reading.
Special Tools:
Lists and describes necessary special tools required for specific procedures (e.g., torque wrenches, fork seal drivers, engine timing tools).
Engine Configuration:
Horizontally opposed (boxer) twin-cylinder.
Displacement:
848 cc (approximately)
Bore X Stroke:
Typically around 90.0 mm x 66.0 mm (exact figures vary slightly by sub-model/year, confirm with manual).
Compression Ratio:
Likely around 10.0:1 to 10.3:1 (typical for this era's BMW Boxer engines).
Valve Train:
Overhead camshafts (OHC), 4 valves per cylinder (typically).
Cooling System:
Air-cooled with oil cooling.
Horsepower:
Approximately 50-55 hp at 6,500 rpm (estimate, specific figures depend on year and market).
Torque:
Approximately 70-75 Nm (51-55 lb-ft) at 3,750 rpm (estimate, specific figures depend on year and market).
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) – typically Bosch Motronic.
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, 91-98 RON (91-93 AKI).
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Around 17-19 liters (4.5-5.0 US gallons), depending on specific model variant.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 10,000 km (6,000 miles) or annually, whichever comes first.
Valve Adjustment Interval:
Generally around 20,000 km (12,000 miles) or as indicated by the manual.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Intervals vary; often checked at major services and replaced as needed or at specific mileages (e.g., 20,000-40,000 km).
Transmission Oil Change:
Typically every 20,000 km (12,000 miles).
Final Drive Oil Change:
Usually every 20,000 km (12,000 miles).
Engine Oil Type:
BMW recommends specific motorcycle-grade oils, typically 15W-40 or 20W-50, meeting API SJ or higher and JASO MA specifications. Exact grade and quantity provided in manual.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 brake fluid (ensure compatibility with ABS systems if fitted).
Fork Oil Type:
Specific viscosity fork oil (e.g., SAE 15W), quantity and level crucial for proper damping.
Final Drive Oil Type:
BMW Hypoid Gear Oil SAE 80W-90 or equivalent.
Common Wear Items:
Clutch wear, fuel pump longevity, electrical connector corrosion, final drive input shaft splines (if not properly maintained).
Specific Faults:
The manual will cover common electrical issues related to the CAN bus system (if applicable to later models) and typical boxer engine quirks like oil seepage from gaskets.
Brand Legacy:
BMW Motorrad has a long and storied history dating back to the early 20th century, renowned for engineering excellence, Boxer engines, and shaft drive.
R Series Heritage:
The R850C is part of the long-running R-series boxer tradition, offering a more accessible displacement than its R1100/R1150 counterparts while retaining similar styling and engineering.
R850 Lineup:
The R850 series (including R850R, R850GS, and R850C cruiser variant) was introduced in the mid-1990s as a more versatile and budget-friendly option within BMW's Boxer lineup.
Production Years:
Typically produced from the late 1990s into the early 2000s (e.g., 1996-2004 range, exact years vary by market and specific model identifier).
Manufacturing Location:
Germany (BMW Motorrad's primary manufacturing base).