BMW R 1250 GS GSA - Rider's Manual > Shifting gears

- with Gearshift Assistant Pro OE

Shift assistant Pro

Requirement

The Gearshift Assistant provides assistance for upshifts and downshifts, without the rider having to actuate the clutch or throttle grip. This is not an automatic-shift system. The rider is the most important part of the system and decides when to shift gears.

NOTICE More detailed information on Pro Gear-shift Assistance can be found in the section "Technology in detail".

NOTICE When downshifting using the Pro Gearshift Assistant, the cruise control system is automatically deactivated for safety reasons.

• The gears are shifted into as usual with foot force on the shift lever.
• The sensor 1 on the gearshift shaft detects the gearshift request and triggers the shift assistance.
• When riding at a steady speed in a low gear at high engine rpm, an attempt to shift gear without pulling the clutch can cause a severe load-change reaction. BMW Motorrad recommends disengaging the clutch for shifts in these circumstances.

  Use of the Pro Gear Shift Assistant should be avoided at engine speeds where the engine speed limiter becomes active.

• Shift assistance is not available in the following situations:

• With clutch actuated.
• Shift lever not in its initial position.
• When upshifting with closed throttle valve (coasting overrun) or when decelerating.
• When downshifting with open throttle valve or when accelerating.

• To be able to make another gear shift using the Pro Gear Shift Assistant, the gearshift lever must be fully released after the first gear change.

Brakes

How do you achieve the shortest stopping distances?

The dynamic load distribution between the front and rear wheel changes during braking. The heavier you brake, the greater the weight transfer to the front wheel. Increases in the load at an individual wheel are accompanied by a rise in the effective braking force that the wheel can provide.

To achieve the shortest possible braking distance, the front brake must be applied quickly and with increasing force. This procedure provides ideal exploitation of the extra weight transfer to the front wheel. The clutch should also be disengaged at the same time.

With the "forced braking" often practiced in which the brake pressure is generated as quickly as possible and with great force, the dynamic load distribution cannot follow the increased deceleration and the braking force cannot be completely transferred to the road surface.

Locking up of the front wheel is prevented by the BMW Motorrad Integral ABS.

Descending mountain passes

WARNING Braking only with the rear-wheel brake when descending mountain passes

Reduced of braking action, destruction of the brakes caused by overheating

• Use both front and rear brakes, and make use of the engine's braking effect as well.

Wet, soiled brakes

Moisture and dirt on the brake rotors and the brake pads result in a decrease in the braking action.

Delayed or poorer braking action must be expected in the following situations:

• When driving in the rain and through puddles.
• After washing the vehicle.
• When driving on roads spread with salt.
• After working on the brakes due to oil or grease residues.
• When driving on soiled roads or offroad.

WARNING Poorer braking action due to moisture and dirt

Accident hazard

• Brake until brakes are dry or clean; clean if necessary.
• Brake early until the full braking action is available again.

ABS Pro

• with ABS Pro OE

Physical riding limits

WARNING Braking in curves

Danger of falling despite ABS Pro

• The rider is always responsible for adapting his/her driving style.
• Do not reduce the system's extra safety margin with careless riding or unnecessary risks.

ABS Pro and the supporting function of the Dynamic Brake Control are available in all riding modes except Enduro PRO.

Falling cannot be excluded

Although ABS Pro and Dynamic Brake Control represent valuable support and an enormous safety advantage for the rider when braking in an inclined position, they by no means redefine the physical riding limits. It is still possible to exceed those limits through misjudgments or riding errors. In extreme cases this my result in a fall.

Use on public roads

ABS Pro and Dynamic Brake Control help make riding your motorcycle on public roads even safer.

When braking due to unexpected hazards in curves, locking-up and slipping of the wheels is prevented within the scope of the physical riding limits. In the event of emergency braking, Dynamic Brake Control enhances the braking effect and intervenes if the throttle grip is accidentally actuated during braking.

NOTICE ABS Pro was not developed to increase the individual braking performance in the inclined position.

Parking your motorcycle

Side stand

• Switch off engine.

ATTENTION Poor ground conditions in area of stand

Component damage cause by tipping over

• Always check that the ground under the stand is level and firm.

ATTENTION Loading of the side stand with additional weight

Component damage cause by tipping over

• Do not sit on the motorcycle when it is parked on the side stands.

 

• Fold out side stand and park motorcycle.
• Turn handlebars to the left.
• On slopes point the motorcycle uphill and engage 1st gear.

Center stand

• Switch off engine.

ATTENTION Poor ground conditions in area of stand

Component damage cause by tipping over

• Always check that the ground under the stand is level and firm.

ATTENTION Center stand folds if subject to sharp movements.

Component damage cause by tipping over

• Do not sit on the motorcycle while it is resting on the center stand.

 

• Fold out center stand and jack up motorcycle.
• On a grade, the motorcycle should always face uphill; select 1st gear.

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