1200GSA ESA Wilbers/WESA - Anyone got 'em?

[Roberto]

Evenin' all,

Thinking about getting the Wilbers ESA set-up for my '09 GSA. Anyone got them..? How do you likey?

Also any info about where you got them and how much if not too nosey would be very much appreciated...

Cheers
Rob

 

[Alan R]

I have them. Fitted them myself to my 2012 GS. Replaced the OM White Power units after 68 miles. There is a very informative thread on here somewhere which details how to replace/fit suspension units on a non ESA bike: The ESA version is not much more complicated although the electrical connections need care. Bought mine from Revs Racing as advertised on this site. Here is their link. http://www.revsracing.co.uk/bmw.php Tell them you're a member here and you get a discount on the purchase price. The units are set up for my weight and the handling of the bike is now completely unremarkable - the suspension is unobtrusive - no shakes, bounces, wobbles or yoyoing under load. There is a roundabout near to where I live that I could ride round on my 2008GS dragging my right boot while being very aware that the suspension was working hard, even on the sports setting. Same roundabout with the new bike/suspension: need to be 10-15 MPH faster to drag my boot and the suspension feels smooth and ... well unobtrusive. A mod that in my opinion is well worth doing - and they are bright orange too.

Alan R

 

[Roberto]

Alan.. Thanks for the info, that is very very helpful.

All the best, Rob

 

[ihandyman247]

Dont you want to go for Ohlins? I am having my one treated with Ohlins soon!
I know that they are a little more expensive but thought I will ask

 

[Roberto]

Dont you want to go for Ohlins? I am having my one treated with Ohlins soon!
I know that they are a little more expensive but thought I will ask

Yep you know I would in an ideal world but working to a budget..

I think it was nigh on three grand for the Ohlins.. now, question is for me do I spend IRO £1200 on the Wilburs, or £2800 on the Ohlins- the difference is quite a lot of time out on the road travelling...

Would be great to know how they are, I'm jealous already

 

[ihandyman247]

Yep you know I would in an ideal world but working to a budget..

I think it was nigh on three grand for the Ohlins.. now, question is for me do I spend IRO £1200 on the Wilburs, or £2800 on the Ohlins- the difference is quite a lot of time out on the road travelling...

Would be great to know how they are, I'm jealous already

I know , I am sorry , I do not want to convince you but £1200 is serious money if you don't have them I know , I am just te same but is just nice to have that little extra that make's the biking experience so special .
I can not wait for my ones to arrive from Swiden by the end off April

 

[Roberto]

I know , I am sorry , I do not want to convince you but £1200 is serious money if you don't have them I know , I am just te same but is just nice to have that little extra that make's the biking j experience so special .
I can not wait for my ones to arrive from Swiden by the end off April

Nah, that's cool.

Good on ya, I am sure they will be top notch, I have never heard anyone say anything negative about Ohlins... aside the price... but as Stella Artois would say, 'Reassuringly Expensive' But hey, if you can, then do

My stock shock is feeling a bit, ahem, tired. I guess that is what happens with 22k, a 130kg rider and more recently a 80kg Girlfriend. As I'm heading off on a long road trip want the best I can get!

 

[The G Man]

I've got WESA on a 2009 GS

Forced into it by leaking rear shock at 38k miles

Definitley feels better than original - although I couldn't do a back to back as the lack of fluid meant the OEMs were not very nice by the time I replaced them

I know that many people replace standard shocks as a matter of course - feels a bit pricey to me, although I probably don't push the bike hard enough to really appreciate them

As others have said they cost about £1200, I had mine fitted at Rev's racing - great guys to deal with

I also think they're cheaper than replacement OEM shocks, plus the ability to get the correct spring weight is a bonus for those of us who come, how shall we say, well padded

G

 

[Roberto]

I've got WESA on a 2009 GS...
...correct spring weight is a bonus for those of us who come, how shall we say, well padded
G

I live in your world, G

Cheers for that.

 

[Rasher]

although I probably don't push the bike hard enough to really appreciate them

I don't think you need to push hard to appreciatte better suspension, you may as well say I ride so much slower than Rossi I thought I would just replace the knackered shock with a steel rod.

Better is better at any pace on any bike on any road, a top rider may go signifiacntly faster with better suspension, whereas I probably only go a smidge quicker - but the bike feels so much nicer whilst doing so.

the suspension feels smooth and ... well unobtrusive

And if you are not "noticing" your suspension you have more attention available for riding the bike so you will probably ride better, maybe smoother, maybe faster, possibly safer - probably to a small degree all of the above.

And the difference in comfort is noticeable at any speed, probably adds up to less fatigue over a long days riding too.

Only got standard Wilburs and not the ESA, but they work a treat

 

[E-Man]

Remove the ESA and fit standard Wilbers shocks.

No warning lights, and you can change them back when you come to sell the bike.

To fit the W-ESA the BMW unit is stripped apart and the Wilbers is fitted to it, so you won't be able to remove it once you come to sell.

MASSIVE difference to the handling of the bike.. And well worth doing!!

MCTechnics did mine for me!!

 

[Beemerman59]

Remove the ESA and fit standard Wilbers shocks.

No warning lights, and you can change them back when you come to sell the bike.

To fit the W-ESA the BMW unit is stripped apart and the Wilbers is fitted to it, so you won't be able to remove it once you come to sell.

MASSIVE difference to the handling of the bike.. And well worth doing!!

MCTechnics did mine for me!!

E-Man this is interesting for me - have you done this yourself i.e the bike is an ESA variant now running standard shocks? I'm contemplating doing the same thing as my ESA shocks have 27K on them and are fine, but I'm planning on keeping the bike for a while. An option of putting non-ESA shocks on that doesn't result in warning lights all the time etc so I can keep the ESA shocks for when I do sell is something I might do. As you say, its not an option to seperate the Wilbur ESA units back again.

 

[Rasher]

Remove the ESA and fit standard Wilbers shocks.

No warning lights, and you can change them back when you come to sell the bike

I just assumed trying to remove them would have all sorts of warnings flashing.

Handy to know as I may go for a Twin Cam and I am sure it will be easier to find one with ESA than without, I would just throw on the Wilburs of my current steed.

 

[E. Buygum]

Had WESA fitted to my 08 GS a couple of weeks ago and am very pleased with results. I was surprised that the GS suspension was noticeably less reassuring after just 35k miles...I had done 40k+ miles on each of my previous two bikes (Sprint, VFR) and hadn't really had an issue but hey ho. I am reluctant to say that the bike is transformed but it is entirely composed and predictable and I just love it.

I must say there's a lot of sense in ditching the ESA completely. In the first 6 weeks of ESA ownership, I was constantly changing settings...oh what fun I had...but I hardly touched it in the last year. (Just pre-load when camping/ pillion). Having the Wilbers fitted now is interesting because the setting changes are much more noticeable. However, with the spring built to my weight, after the first day or two I have just left setting on "One Up, Normal" and have never felt I need a more sporty or comfortable setting.

WESA was £1,275. Not cheap but I have decided to keep the GS indefinitely and I reasoned it was less than a year's depreciation on a new bike. Fitted by Revs Racing...it has all been said about these guys but bears repeating that they are an excellent team and do a first class job. Just ride in, kick your heels for most of the day and ride away with a great job done. Highly recommended.

Evenin' all,

Thinking about getting the Wilbers ESA set-up for my '09 GSA. Anyone got them..? How do you likey?

Also any info about where you got them and how much if not too nosey would be very much appreciated...

Cheers
Rob

 

[Edventure]

Had Revs Racing fit WESA to my 2010 after less than 2k miles. Transformed the bike.
Great guys to deal with.

 

[Roberto]

I have decided to keep the GS indefinitely and I reasoned it was less than a year's depreciation on a new bike..

My logic there too. Going to get it done later this week.. getting very curious to see what the results are..!

 

[E. Buygum]

My logic there too. Going to get it done later this week.. getting very curious to see what the results are..!

I didn't experience what I would call an instant transformation, although it's obvious something has changed. (I was taking it a bit steady as it was p!ssing down with rain when I left). However, on very familiar roads, I find the difference very marked and the bike is now unruffled by poor road surfaces on bends I have been bucking and weaving round on various bikes for years. I suspect a large part of this is having a spring made to match my (higher than average) weight.

It's a long day waiting at Revs (9:30-4:00 for me)...they will probably drop you off at a local dealer with cafe. I walked 15 mins up Hagley Road to a new Starbucks to break the day up...had my laptop with me and there's free wireless there so I was able to work.

If your bike is a keeper, consider a trip to Hilltop...a mere £360 for an engine remap. I'm skint now but the bike is running absolutely beautifully, and I look forward to the next 35k miles and beyond.

 

[Roberto]

I didn't experience what I would call an instant transformation, although it's obvious something has changed. (I was taking it a bit steady as it was p!ssing down with rain when I left). However, on very familiar roads, I find the difference very marked and the bike is now unruffled by poor road surfaces on bends I have been bucking and weaving round on various bikes for years. I suspect a large part of this is having a spring made to match my (higher than average) weight.

Interesting observation.. I'm very 'generously proportioned' shall we say, ahem, and have certainly felt the limits you're talking about. With luggage and crumpet.. well best not even go there

It's a long day waiting at Revs (9:30-4:00 for me)...they will probably drop you off at a local dealer with cafe. I walked 15 mins up Hagley Road to a new Starbucks to break the day up...had my laptop with me and there's free wireless there so I was able to work.

Thanks.. will look to do the same. Helpful tip

If your bike is a keeper [consider a trip to Hilltop...a mere £360 for an engine remap..

Now booked in for Saturday

Yes... I'm a shameless copycat, but what the hell, all the reports are very complimentary. After having a twin cam on loan for a bit recently it would be great to have some comparable 'Pzaz'..

..I'm skint now but the bike is running absolutely beautifully, and I look forward to the next 35k miles and beyond.

I'm skint now too

But hey thanks for the comments!

 

[bmconvert]

anyone know of an equivalent of Revs 'up North'?

 

[VFRman]

I have WESA with the 35mm ride height reduction on 2010 GS, I'm 5'10" 31" inside leg and the bike has been transformed for me, just a little head shack sometimes but nothing to worry about (head angle?) or maybe because I'm going faster and another for Revs Racing...

Try REVs for an "up-north" dealer I think they are the UK importers for Wilbers?

Revs Racing 0121 501 3321