Parking Your Motorcycle - BMW R 1200GS Adventure Rider's Manual

Descending mountain
5
passes
There is a danger of the
86
brakes fading if you use
only the rear brakes when des-
cending mountain passes. Under
extreme conditions, the brakes
could overheat and suffer severe
damage.
Use both front and rear brakes,
z
and make use of the engine's
braking effect as well.
Wet and dirty brakes
Wetness and dirt on the brake
discs and the brake pads dimin-
ish braking efficiency.
Delayed braking action or poor
braking efficiency must be
reckoned with in the following
situations:
Riding in the rain or through
puddles of water.
After the vehicle has been
washed.
Riding on salted or gritted
roads.
After work has been carried on
the brakes, due to traces of oil
or grease.
Riding on dirt-covered surfaces
or off-road.
Wetness and dirt result in
poor braking efficiency.
Apply the brakes lightly while
riding to remove wetness and
dirt, or dismount and clean the
brakes.
Think ahead and brake in good
time until full braking efficiency is
restored.
Parking your
motorcycle
Side stand
Switch off the engine.
If the ground is soft or un-
even, there is no guaran-
tee that the motorcycle will rest
firmly on the stand.
Always check that the ground
under the stand is level and
firm.
The side stand is designed
to support only the weight
of the vehicle.
Do not lean or sit on the vehicle
with the side stand extended.
Extend the side stand and prop
the motorcycle on the stand.
If the camber of the roadway
permits, turn the handlebars all
the way to the left.
On a gradient, the motorcycle
should always face uphill; se-
lect 1st gear.
Centre stand
Switch off the engine.
If the ground is soft or un-
even, there is no guaran-
tee that the motorcycle will rest
firmly on the stand.