2018 Rallye sports suspension on a 2017 GS Exclusive standard height

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What is local think tank thoughts on this, and would there be any problems, I believe the suspension will be 20mm higher, will it be a problem, fire away, we are talking about the Automatic ESA suspension, front and rear.
 
First thought is why?
Second and third thoughts are also why?

What possible benefit would this have unless you are an advanced off road rider needing more ground clearance, and have long enough legs to get your feet sufficiently planted at stops?

If you really really want to do this, then you would almost certainly need to have the height sensors re-calibrated, or possibly replaced.

Bike's software may also be incompatible with later suspension units.
 
fred_jb said:
First thought is why?
Second and third thoughts are also why?

What possible benefit would this have unless you are an advanced off road rider needing more ground clearance, and have long enough legs to get your feet sufficiently planted at stops?

If you really really want to do this, then you would almost certainly need to have the height sensors re-calibrated, or possibly replaced.
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I am just wondering for maybe later if my shocks collapse, as my good friend here, has just bought a 2018 Rallye and rode it 50 kms to Touratech, and replaced the stock shocks with Touratech extremes, he is a good mate and has no money problems in life, and has offered me his new take of shocks with only 50 kms on them, I am imaging they are the sports version but may be standard also, I will know next week when he collects his bike from Touratech.
 
A very generous offer, though he might be better advised to keep them for putting his bike back to stock when he sells it.

As added in an edit to my last post, there is also a potential problem with the 2017 bike's software not recognising or being otherwise compatible with the later shocks, in which case you are unlikely to persuade BMW to release a software update just to fix this!

On the other hand it could all be fine!
 
fred_jb said:
A very generous offer, though he might be better advised to keep them for putting his bike back to stock when he sells it.

As added in an edit to my last post, there is also a potential problem with the 2017 bike's software not recognising or being otherwise compatible with the later shocks, in which case you are unlikely to persuade BMW to release a software update just to fix this!

On the other hand it could all be fine!
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That was the first thing I told him, but as usual said he is not bothered, so next restaurant and session is on me.........:beerjug:
 
Smogbob said:
I am just wondering for maybe later if my shocks collapse, as my good friend here, has just bought a 2018 Rallye and rode it 50 kms to Touratech, and replaced the stock shocks with Touratech extremes, he is a good mate and has no money problems in life, and has offered me his new take of shocks with only 50 kms on them, I am imaging they are the sports version but may be standard also, I will know next week when he collects his bike from Touratech.
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If? Or when? :D
 
When the Rally version was launched in -16, it was the first bike in the GS range to be equipped with the auto level and dynamic suspension. Later years, this was made available to all the GS/A bikes, thus now you may regard the Sport suspension as a stiffer spring setup with a 2cm longer travel.


If your bike is already setup with auto level, it should be doable, as the computers are there. The only catch that I may think of is that some of the options have to be ordered with the bike and are locked to the VIN number, thus the option will not be changeable later on by software. A well trained BMW mechanic will be able to tall you if this is the case for the suspension
 
knutk said:
When the Rally version was launched in -16, it was the first bike in the GS range to be equipped with the auto level and dynamic suspension. Later years, this was made available to all the GS/A bikes, thus now you may regard the Sport suspension as a stiffer spring setup with a 2cm longer travel.


If your bike is already setup with auto level, it should be doable, as the computers are there. The only catch that I may think of is that some of the options have to be ordered with the bike and are locked to the VIN number, thus the option will not be changeable later on by software. A well trained BMW mechanic will be able to tall you if this is the case for the suspension
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Thanks Knut, obviously might have to speak to my stealer, as stiffer springs and a tad more travel, must mean in my humble mind that, as the original shocks are all set about 80 kgs riders weight, these harder one,s may be 10 or 20 kgs more hopefully, maybe I am totally wrong.
 
Smogbob said:
Thanks Knut, obviously might have to speak to my stealer, as stiffer springs and a tad more travel, must mean in my humble mind that, as the original shocks are all set about 80 kgs riders weight, these harder one,s may be 10 or 20 kgs more hopefully, maybe I am totally wrong.
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Sounds reasonable :thumb
 
knutk said:
Sounds reasonable :thumb
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Makes some interesting reading below, as it seems that it would basically change the normal GS into a Adventure height bike with stiffer springs, and still have the benefits of a normal GS, as 2 cms higher would actually be a bonus for me in suspension travel, as when bike is fully loaded 2 up and baggage, bike is at its limit.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/r1200gs-rallye-sport-suspension-on-road.1276043/

And just found this from BMW catalog

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/_common/pdf/bike/en_2017/R1200GS_PI_ERO_web.pdf


Sport suspension Option code 547 Only available in BMW R 1200 GS Rallye version and option code 191 Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment).


Interesting also

https://advrider.com/f/threads/2019...red-or-incoming.1340986/page-25#post-36619804




For 2019 ESA models...

The GS/GSA suspension modes are the same operationally. We don't know what if any differences BMW may have chosen to apply in software. I personally don't think there are any.

There are two different sets of ESA shocks with different travel, and perhaps other differences. One with (F) 210mm / (R) 220mm, one with (F) 190mm / (R) 200mm.

Ignoring low suspension bikes, those two sets of shocks are available on:

190/200 Stock GS Suspension
210/220 Stock GSA Suspension, GS HP Sports Suspension

The 20mm travel difference alters both the 'ride' the bike offers, as well as the geometry. The GSA and GS HP w/Sports Suspension have a slightly shorter wheelbase among other differences. The GS with stock suspension is more planted than the other two.

Keeping in mind that suspension is subjective, on pavement, with preload in AUTO mode, for this rider @ 300 w/gear, the 'comfort' in order from best to worst:

GSA
GS
GS w/Sports Suspension

Off pavement (gravel forest roads, pot holes, diversion trenches etc... With damping in Enduro, they are all three equally comfortable for me, with the extra 20mm being nice to have riding at speed over rough stuff.
 
I'm thinking this should be doable based on some options I've added in the past. If the hardware is there, you should only need to add the option codes to the ECU then re-encode the specific modules.
 
fredaroony said:
I'm thinking this should be doable based on some options I've added in the past. If the hardware is there, you should only need to add the option codes to the ECU then re-encode the specific modules.
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Yep that is something I will have to check with the dealer, how much to add code 591 in the settings, if they can or will do it, and the cost, and if it comes to more than 1400 € I might as well just change the innards to Tractive sprung harder, and it will be plug and play, and then I have 2 sets of shocks if one fails.
 
Smogbob said:
Yep that is something I will have to check with the dealer, how much to add code 591 in the settings, if they can or will do it, and the cost, and if it comes to more than 1400 € I might as well just change the innards to Tractive sprung harder, and it will be plug and play, and then I have 2 sets of shocks if one fails.
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Doubt a dealer would have any clue at all mate and if it's not in their retrofit list they would not know where to begin.
 
Smogbob said:
What is local think tank thoughts on this, and would there be any problems, I believe the suspension will be 20mm higher, will it be a problem, fire away, we are talking about the Automatic ESA suspension, front and rear.
Click to expand...

I’ve got a late 2017 Rallye Sport with ESA. It’s the least impressive feature of the bike IMO.
 
Smogbob said:
Yep that is something I will have to check with the dealer, how much to add code 591 in the settings, if they can or will do it, and the cost, and if it comes to more than 1400 € I might as well just change the innards to Tractive sprung harder, and it will be plug and play, and then I have 2 sets of shocks if one fails.
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So will you be adding an extra large pannier to take the spares on trips with you? After all the shocks are only likely to change from working to not working while the bike is actually being ridden! :D
 
fred_jb said:
So will you be adding an extra large pannier to take the spares on trips with you? After all the shocks are only likely to change from working to not working while the bike is actually being ridden! :D
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They should fit in my Touratwat toolbox Fred................:D
 
fred_jb said:
Oh good to hear. Only teasing - I'm just jealous that you've blagged a free set of spare suspension units! :D
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Bloody eck Fred, blagged, it took me best part of an hour to try to talk him into keeping them, thought I had won the battle, then he said, well if you do not take them I will leave them at Touratech, so really had no choice.....:D
 
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