Bike Segment:
Adventure Touring (ADV)
Target Audience:
Riders seeking a capable, long-distance touring motorcycle with off-road prowess, DIY enthusiasts, and professional motorcycle technicians.
Key Competitors Era:
Honda Africa Twin (XRV650/750), Yamaha Super Ténéré (XTZ750), Kawasaki KLR650, Suzuki DR650.
Gs Philosophy:
BMW's 'Geländestraße' (Off-road Street) concept, blending comfortable road manners with robust off-road capability.
Engine Layout Legacy:
Continuation of BMW's iconic boxer-twin engine, renowned for its torque, low center of gravity, and character.
Engine Systems:
Engine overhaul, cylinder head service, valve clearance adjustment, piston/ring inspection and replacement, crankshaft and bearing checks, lubrication system, oil pump, oil cooler, fuel injection system (EFI), throttle bodies, injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition system, spark plugs, ignition coils, ECU diagnostics.
Transmission Drivetrain:
Clutch operation and adjustment, gearbox disassembly and reassembly, gear selection mechanism, final drive unit (bevel gear housing, driveshaft), universal joint inspection, bearing checks.
Chassis Suspension:
Front fork (telelever or conventional depending on exact spec if applicable, though R1150GS is typically Telelever) overhaul, spring and damper replacement, fork seal replacement, rear shock absorber adjustment and replacement, swingarm bearings, wheel bearings, steering head bearings.
Braking System:
Brake fluid replacement, brake caliper service and seal replacement, brake pad replacement, rotor inspection and replacement, ABS system diagnostics and bleeding procedures (if equipped), master cylinder service.
Electrical System:
Battery maintenance and testing, charging system (alternator, voltage regulator), starter motor, lighting system (headlights, taillights, indicators), horn, wiring diagrams, fuse box layout, diagnostics for ECU and sensor outputs, instrument cluster functions.
Fuel System:
Fuel tank removal and inspection, fuel pump operation, fuel injectors cleaning and testing, fuel pressure regulation.
Exhaust System:
Exhaust pipe removal and installation, muffler inspection and repair, lambda sensor (oxygen sensor) replacement.
Bodywork Fittings:
Fairing removal and installation, seat removal, fuel tank cover, luggage rack mounting, ergonomic adjustments.
Maintenance:
Regular scheduled maintenance (oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug checks), valve clearance checks and adjustments, drive shaft lubrication, brake fluid flushes, coolant checks (if liquid-cooled variant), general inspection points.
Repair Rebuild:
Complete engine disassembly and reassembly, gearbox rebuild, suspension damper overhaul, clutch replacement, brake system component replacement, electrical component troubleshooting and replacement, fuel injection system diagnosis and repair.
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic flowcharts for common issues, error code interpretation (if applicable via BMW diagnostic tools), symptom-based troubleshooting guides for starting problems, running issues, electrical faults, and performance degradation.
Technical Data Specs:
Torque specifications for all fasteners, fluid capacities and types, electrical component resistance and voltage checks, engine timing parameters, component measurements and tolerances.
Depth Of Coverage:
Comprehensive, covering all aspects from routine maintenance and adjustments to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, electrical system diagnostics, and chassis component overhauls. Suitable for both novice DIY enthusiasts and experienced technicians.
Engine Type:
Air/oil-cooled, four-stroke, flat-twin (boxer) engine
Displacement:
1130 cc (1130cc)
Bore X Stroke:
98.0 mm x 74.5 mm
Valve Train:
2 valves per cylinder, pushrod actuated via rocker arms
Claimed Horsepower:
90 hp (67 kW) @ 7,250 rpm
Claimed Torque:
98 Nm (72 lb-ft) @ 5,500 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) with Bosch Motronic MA 2.4
Fuel Type:
Unleaded premium gasoline (95 RON)
Fuel Tank Capacity:
25 liters (6.6 US gallons)
Oil Type:
SAE 20W-50 or SAE 15W-50 motorcycle specific oil
Oil Capacity W Filter:
Approx. 4.0 liters
Length:
Approx. 2,230 mm (87.8 inches)
Width Over Handlebars:
Approx. 910 mm (35.8 inches)
Height Over Handlebars:
Approx. 1,425 mm (56.1 inches)
Seat Height:
Approx. 840 mm (33.1 inches) (adjustable)
Dry Weight:
Approx. 230 kg (507 lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Approx. 430 kg (948 lbs)
Payload Capacity:
Approx. 200 kg (441 lbs)
Front Suspension Travel:
170 mm (6.7 inches) (Telelever)
Rear Suspension Travel:
180 mm (7.1 inches) (Monoshock with Paralever)
Front Wheel Size:
19 x 2.50 inches
Rear Wheel Size:
17 x 4.00 inches
Front Tire Recommendation:
90/90-19
Rear Tire Recommendation:
110/80-17 or 130/80-17
Wheel Bolt Pattern:
N/A (Cast or Spoked Wheels, Hub-centric)
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or annually, whichever comes first.
Oil Filter Replacement:
With every oil change.
Air Filter Cleaning Replacement:
Check every 10,000 km, clean or replace as needed. Replace every 20,000-30,000 km.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 20,000 km (12,400 miles).
Valve Clearance Check:
Every 20,000 km (12,400 miles).
Brake Fluid Flush Replacement:
Every 2 years.
Driveshaft Grease Interval:
Every 20,000 km (12,400 miles) for Paralever drive shaft.
Engine Oil Specification:
API SG or higher, JASO MA certified, viscosity SAE 20W-50 or SAE 15W-50.
Brake Fluid Specification:
DOT 4
Final Drive Oil Specification:
SAE 80W/90 GL-5 Hypoid Gear Oil
Common Wear Items:
Clutch wear, driveshaft splines (requiring periodic greasing), alternator brushes, regulator failure, paralever seal leaks.
Fuel Pump Reliability:
Early models sometimes experienced fuel pump issues, though often resolved by updated components or proper maintenance.
ABS System Sensitivities:
ABS sensors and hydraulic unit can be sensitive to electrical faults or contamination if not maintained correctly.
Throttle Body Sync:
Requires periodic synchronization for optimal engine performance and fuel economy.
Bmw Motorrad Legacy:
BMW has a long history of motorcycle manufacturing, dating back to the early 20th century, with a reputation for engineering excellence, durability, and innovation.
R Series Lineage:
The R1150GS is part of the long-running R series of boxer-engined motorcycles, evolving from the R80GS (introduced in 1980) which established the adventure touring segment.
Gs Development:
The 'GS' designation signifies the bike's dual-purpose capability. The R1150GS was an advancement on the R1100GS, offering increased displacement and improved performance.
Production Start Year Of R1150Gs Line:
1999 (Note: The product information specifies 1993, which is incorrect for the R1150GS model. The R1100GS was introduced in 1994. The R1150GS debuted in 1999. This manual likely covers the R1150GS family, and the '1993' in the product name might be a typo or a misunderstanding of the earliest GS models like the R100GS or R80GS. However, based on 'R1150GS', the production years are 1999-2005. For this analysis, we will assume the manual covers the R1150GS, and the 1993 is an error in the product name.)
Manufacturing Location:
Berlin, Germany (BMW Motorrad Plant)
Engine Variant Discrepancy:
The R1150GS was produced with several variants including standard, Adventure, and Rockster. The manual should detail differences if any.