🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

BMW

Model:

R850R / R850C

Year:

2001

Engine Code:

117MF (R850R), 117ME (R850C)

Chassis Code:

R259 / R259R / R259C

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Sport Touring / Roadster Motorcycle

Target Audience:

Owners and independent repair shops focused on maintaining and repairing BMW R850R/C motorcycles

Competitors:

Competed with other mid-size European and Japanese motorcycles offering shaft drive and comfortable touring capabilities

Engine Layout:

Air-cooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine

Drive System:

Shaft drive

Handling:

Known for stable handling and comfortable ride, particularly the R850R

Design:

Classic BMW Boxer styling with modern performance elements

📋 Manual Details

Engine:

All engine variants

Transmission:

All transmission types

Trim:

All trim levels

Estimated Pages:

Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for this model's comprehensive service manual)

Type:

Workshop Repair Service Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF Download

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine Mechanical:

Engine assembly, disassembly, timing, valve clearance, lubrication, cooling, fuel delivery, exhaust

Fuel System:

Fuel injection system (BMS-K), fuel pump, injectors, fuel lines, throttle body

Ignition System:

Ignition coils, spark plugs, crankshaft position sensor, camshaft position sensor

Electrical System:

Battery, charging system (alternator, regulator), starter motor, lighting (headlight, taillight, turn signals), horn, wiring diagrams

Transmission:

Clutch (single plate dry clutch), gearbox, final drive (shaft drive), gear shifting mechanism

Brakes:

Front and rear brake systems (typically ABS-II N as standard on R850R/C), brake calipers, master cylinders, brake lines, brake fluid specifications

Suspension:

Front telescopic forks (typical for R850R), Paralever rear swingarm (R850R), Telelever front suspension (R850C), rear monoshock absorber, suspension adjustments

Chassis Frame:

Frame components, steering head bearings, swingarm bearings

Bodywork:

Fairings, fenders, fuel tank, seat, handlebars, instrument cluster, mirrors

Diagnostics:

Troubleshooting guides, fault code interpretation (OBD-II), diagnostic procedures

Routine Maintenance:

Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug replacement, chain/drive shaft lubrication, tire pressure checks, brake pad inspection

Engine Repair:

Top-end rebuild, bottom-end rebuild, piston and ring replacement, cylinder head service, camshaft maintenance

Fuel System Service:

Injector cleaning, fuel pump replacement, fuel filter replacement

Electrical Troubleshooting:

Wiring harness inspection, component testing, starter motor and charging system diagnostics

Transmission Overhaul:

Clutch adjustment and replacement, gearbox disassembly and reassembly, final drive oil service

Brake System Maintenance:

Brake bleeding, caliper rebuilding, master cylinder replacement, pad and rotor replacement

Suspension Adjustment:

Front fork oil change and adjustment, rear shock absorber service and replacement

Chassis Maintenance:

Steering head bearing adjustment, swingarm bearing lubrication/replacement

Diagnostic Procedures:

Step-by-step guides for diagnosing common and complex faults

Depth:

Comprehensive (from basic maintenance to full engine and transmission rebuilds)

Diagnostic Tools:

Information on specific diagnostic tools or procedures required for certain tasks

Torque Specifications:

Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners

Clearances:

Specifications for valve clearances, piston-to-cylinder clearances, etc.

Special Tools:

Identification and usage of specialized tools recommended by BMW

📊 Manual Specifications

Type:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable for efficient information retrieval

Quality:

Professional, high-resolution scans suitable for printing

Binding:

N/A (Digital Download)

Paper:

N/A (Digital Download)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Type:

Air-cooled, four-stroke, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder (Boxer)

Displacement:

848 cc (850cc class)

Bore X Stroke:

90.0 mm x 66.0 mm

Compression Ratio:

10.0:1

Valve Train:

Overhead camshaft (SOHC), 2 valves per cylinder

Power Output:

Approx. 70-73 HP (51-54 kW) at 7000-7250 RPM (varies slightly by model variant)

Torque Output:

Approx. 77-79 Nm (57-58 lb-ft) at 5000-5500 RPM (varies slightly by model variant)

Fuel Delivery:

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) - Bosch Motronic 2.4 / BMS-K

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline, minimum 91 RON (95 Octane)

Fuel Tank Capacity:

Approx. 20 Liters (5.3 US gallons)

🔧 Transmission

Type:

5-speed manual gearbox

Clutch:

Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated

Final Drive:

Shaft drive with single universal joint and bevel gear final drive housing

Gear Ratios:

Specific gear ratios are detailed within the manual

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approx. 2,160 mm (85.0 in)

Width:

Approx. 810 mm (31.9 in) (excluding mirrors)

Height:

Approx. 1,370 mm (53.9 in) (to handlebars)

Seat Height:

Approx. 780 mm (30.7 in)

Dry Weight:

Approx. 213 kg (470 lbs)

Gross Vehicle Weight:

Approx. 400 kg (882 lbs)

🛡️ Safety Features

Crash Test Results:

N/A (Motorcycle safety ratings differ from automotive; focus is on rider protection and system reliability)

ABS:

Optional/Standard BMW Motorrad ABS II N (Anti-lock Braking System) on most 2001 models

Braking System:

Dual disc front brakes, single disc rear brake with braided steel lines for enhanced performance

Lighting:

Halogen headlight, LED taillight and brake light, amber turn signals

Stability:

Low center of gravity due to Boxer engine design contributing to stability

💡 Technology Features

Instrument Cluster:

Analog speedometer and tachometer, LCD display for odometer, trip meter, fuel level, gear indicator, clock, and warning lights

Audio:

N/A (No factory-installed audio system typically)

ABS:

BMW Motorrad ABS II N provides significant safety enhancement, especially during emergency braking.

Diagnostic Port:

On-board diagnostics (OBD) port for electronic fault diagnosis, often requiring specific BMW diagnostic tools.

Lighting Control:

Handlebar-mounted switchgear for lights, indicators, horn, and engine kill switch.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Typically every 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or annually, whichever comes first

Valve Check:

Typically every 20,000 km (12,400 miles)

Brake Fluid:

Recommended replacement every 2 years

Engine Oil:

SAE 15W-50 API SG or higher (refer to manual for specific BMW approval grades like BMW Motorrad Advantec)

Engine Oil Capacity:

Approx. 3.0 Liters (3.2 US quarts) with filter change

Transmission Oil:

SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 (Hypoid Gear Oil)

Final Drive Oil:

SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 (Hypoid Gear Oil)

Brake Fluid:

DOT 4

Coolant:

N/A (Air-cooled engine)

Electrical:

Occasional issues with the alternator stator or regulator, particularly on higher mileage units. Wiring harness integrity should be checked.

Fuel System:

Infrequent injector clogging or fuel pump issues; regular use of quality fuel is recommended.

Suspension:

Wear in the steering head bearings and rear swingarm bearings over time can manifest as play or notchy steering. Front fork seals can occasionally leak.

Clutch:

Hydraulic clutch actuation is generally reliable, but bleeding the system may be required periodically.

📚 Vehicle History

Brand Legacy:

BMW Motorrad, renowned for engineering excellence, innovation, and durable Boxer engines since the 1920s

Lineage:

Part of the R259 family, derived from the larger R1100 series, offering a more accessible displacement

R850R Vs R850C:

R850R is the standard Roadster variant; R850C ('Classic' or 'Custom') often features different styling, potentially including spoke wheels and a different handlebar setup, and the Telelever front suspension for the 'C' variant.

Manufacturing Location:

Berlin, Germany (BMW Motorrad Plant)

Production Years:

R850R/C produced from 1996 to 2006

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Model Specific:

No widely publicized awards for this specific model year, but BMW Motorrad motorcycles consistently receive praise for build quality and engineering.

Owner Satisfaction:

Generally high owner satisfaction for durability and long-term usability, with proper maintenance.

Emission Standards:

Compliant with European emission standards for the period.