🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

BMW

Model:

R1150GS

Motorcycle Type:

Adventure Touring

Chassis Code:

R21

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Iconic adventure touring motorcycle, known for its versatility and ruggedness

Competitors:

Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Super Ténéré, KTM Adventure series

Durability:

Renowned for its robust construction and long-distance capability

Engine Character:

Torquey boxer twin engine providing smooth power delivery

Suspension Technology:

Innovative Telelever front suspension for enhanced handling and comfort

Adaptability:

Suitable for both on-road touring and off-road exploration

📋 Manual Details

Engine Overhaul:

Complete tear down and rebuild

Maintenance:

Routine maintenance procedures

Troubleshooting:

Diagnostic procedures and common issues

Electrical System:

Wiring diagrams and component diagnostics

Chassis Components:

Suspension, brakes, steering, wheels

Bodywork:

Fairings, panels, seat, fuel tank

Fuel System:

Fuel injection, fuel pump, lines

Exhaust System:

Muffler, catalytic converter, headers

Cooling System:

Oil cooler, oil lines

Clutch System:

Hydraulic clutch operation and maintenance

Drivetrain:

Shaft drive, final drive maintenance

Estimated Pages:

Approximately 500-700 pages (typical for comprehensive manuals)

Type:

Service Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital (likely PDF), potentially available in print

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine:

BMW Boxer Twin, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, air/oil-cooled

Transmission:

6-speed manual transmission

Fuel Injection:

Bosch Motronic MA 2.4

Braking System:

BMW Integral ABS (optional), conventional braking system

Suspension Front:

Telelever front suspension system

Suspension Rear:

Monolever rear suspension system

Electrical Components:

Ignition, lighting, charging system, starter

Engine Rebuild:

Piston removal/installation, cylinder head service, valve adjustment, crankshaft inspection

Transmission Service:

Gearbox disassembly, reassembly, clutch replacement

Brake Service:

Brake pad replacement, caliper servicing, ABS bleeding procedures

Suspension Adjustment:

Front and rear shock absorber adjustments, fork service

Electrical Diagnostics:

Fault code reading (if applicable), component testing, wiring harness repair

Wheel Bearing Replacement:

Front and rear wheel bearing service

Tire Mounting:

Tire mounting and balancing procedures

Final Drive Maintenance:

Shaft drive lubrication, seal replacement

Depth:

Comprehensive: from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds

Visuals:

Includes pictures and part diagrams

Torque Specifications:

Detailed torque specifications for all critical fasteners

Wiring Diagrams:

Comprehensive electrical system wiring diagrams

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

Likely PDF (searchable text, printable pages)

Quality:

High-resolution scans or original manufacturer quality

Binding:

N/A (for digital format); If printed: Spiral-bound or perfect-bound for lay-flat usability

Paper:

N/A (for digital format); If printed: Durable, glossy paper stock to withstand shop conditions

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type:

BMW Boxer Twin, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder

Displacement:

1130 cc (1130 cubic centimeters)

Bore X Stroke:

95 mm x 79 mm (typical)

Compression Ratio:

10.0:1 (typical)

Cooling System:

Air/oil-cooled with oil cooler

Valve Train:

2 valves per cylinder, overhead camshaft (OHC), pushrod activated

Horsepower:

Approx. 85-90 hp @ 6750 rpm

Torque:

Approx. 98-100 Nm @ 5250 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), Bosch Motronic MA 2.4

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline, minimum 91 octane (RON+MON)/2

Fuel Capacity:

Approx. 20-22 liters (depending on model variant/year)

Oil Type:

API SG/SH or JASO MA approved 4-stroke motorcycle engine oil, SAE 20W-50 or SAE 15W-50 recommended

Oil Capacity:

Approx. 3.0 - 3.5 liters (with filter change)

🔧 Transmission

Type:

6-speed constant mesh manual gearbox

Features:

No automatic transmission option available

Clutch Type:

Hydraulically actuated single dry plate clutch

Drive System:

Enclosed shaft drive to rear wheel

Gearbox Oil Type:

SAE 75W-90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil (or as specified in manual)

Gearbox Oil Capacity:

Approx. 0.65 liters

Final Drive Oil Type:

SAE 80W-90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil (or as specified in manual)

Final Drive Oil Capacity:

Approx. 0.18 liters

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approx. 2230 mm (87.8 in)

Width Handlebar:

Approx. 920 mm (36.2 in)

Height Seat:

Approx. 840-860 mm (33.1-33.9 in) (adjustable seat height)

Wheelbase:

Approx. 1487 mm (58.5 in)

Dry Weight:

Approx. 232 kg (511 lbs)

Gross Vehicle Weight:

Approx. 450 kg (992 lbs)

Front Tire Size:

90/90-21 54V

Rear Tire Size:

130/80-17 65S

Front Wheel Type:

Spoked, 2.50 x 21

Rear Wheel Type:

Spoked, 4.00 x 17

Bolt Pattern Wheels:

5 x 114.3 mm (typical for BMW R series)

🛡️ Safety Features

Crash Test Results:

N/A (Motorcycles are not typically crash-tested by agencies like NHTSA or Euro NCAP)

ABS:

BMW Integral ABS (optional, disengageable) - provides combined braking and anti-lock functionality

Traction Control:

Not standard; some later models or aftermarket modifications may have it.

Lighting:

Halogen headlight, LED tail light, turn signals

Protection:

Engine crash bars, handguards standard or optional depending on trim

💡 Technology Features

Instrument Cluster:

Analog tachometer, digital speedometer, odometer, trip meters, fuel level indicator, gear indicator (on some models), warning lights.

ABS System:

BMW Integral ABS system, providing enhanced safety for both braking systems.

Diagnostic Port:

On-board diagnostics (OBD) port for engine management system and ABS diagnostics (requires specific BMW diagnostic tools).

Headlight Type:

Dual halogen headlights for excellent night visibility.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Every 10,000 km (6,000 miles) or annually, whichever comes first

Valve Check Adjustment:

Every 20,000 km (12,000 miles)

Air Filter Cleaning Replacement:

Every 20,000 km (12,000 miles), or more frequently in dusty conditions

Spark Plug Replacement:

Every 40,000 km (24,000 miles)

Final Drive Oil Change:

Every 20,000 km (12,000 miles)

Brake Fluid Change:

Every 2 years (regardless of mileage)

Engine Oil:

SAE 20W-50 or 15W-50, API SG/SH or JASO MA

Gearbox Oil:

SAE 75W-90 GL-5

Final Drive Oil:

SAE 80W-90 GL-5

Brake Fluid:

DOT 4 (or as specified for Integral ABS system)

Coolant:

N/A (air/oil-cooled)

Fuel Pump:

Early models can experience fuel pump failure; diagnosis and replacement covered.

Clutch Slave Cylinder:

Hydraulic clutch slave cylinder seal leaks can occur; manual covers seal replacement.

Telelever Pivot Bearings:

Wear in Telelever pivot bearings can affect steering precision; maintenance and adjustment procedures outlined.

Hall Effect Sensor:

Failure of the Hall effect sensor (for engine timing) can cause starting issues or stalling; troubleshooting provided.

ABS Modulator:

ABS modulator issues can lead to braking system faults; diagnostic procedures are included.

📚 Vehicle History

Bmw Motorrad:

BMW Motorrad has a long and storied history in motorcycle production, dating back to 1923, with a strong reputation for engineering innovation and durability.

R Series Legacy:

The R1150GS is part of the evolution of BMW's successful 'GS' (Gelände/Straße - off-road/street) line, which began with the R80G/S in 1980. It represents a significant upgrade in performance, technology, and comfort over its predecessors like the R1100GS.

Production Years:

1999 - 2005

Manufacturing Location:

Berlin, Germany

Key Variants:

R1150GS (standard), R1150GS Adventure (larger fuel tank, longer travel suspension, enhanced off-road features)

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Market Success:

The R1150GS was a highly successful model for BMW, consistently ranking among the best-selling large-displacement adventure touring motorcycles globally. It earned a reputation for reliability and capability among riders.

Owner Satisfaction:

Generally high owner satisfaction due to its versatility, comfort on long rides, and durability.

Emissions Standards:

Meets European emissions standards for its production era (e.g., Euro 1 or Euro 2, depending on specific market and year).