About to buy...ESA problems anyone?

[AdamA]

I don't have a problem with the default BMW settings. But to be honest I take the bike as it is and use what's on offer! I've never had anyone setup my suspension for me so I have nothing to compare in that regard?

Which is the same for most people on most bikes(not just GSs) and they don't have a problem either.
It's only when they (get someone else to) set up a bike's suspension properly or swap OE for a quality replacement that they realise what a difference it makes.
I'd hazard a guess a lot of if not all people that are finding ESA a revelation never used to set up the suspension correctly on previous bikes.

 

[gsbiker]

Which is the same for most people on most bikes(not just GSs) and they don't have a problem either.
It's only when they (get someone else to) set up a bike's suspension properly or swap OE for a quality replacement that they realise what a difference it makes.
I'd hazard a guess a lot of if not all people that are finding ESA a revelation never used to set up the suspension correctly on previous bikes.

Probably! I know I don't! All depends how far you want to take it. For me the convenience outweighs anything else!

 

[Drofsereb]

Personally, I can't feel much of a difference between Sport, Comfort and Normal, unlike on a K1200 I tried. So much so that I am having it checked at service

I tried switching running over cobbled streets and didn't notice any difference! Anyone in that camp?

 

[gsbiker]

The difference is subtle I admit. Comfy is a bit bouncy around the corners but good for bumps. Sport is alot stiffer, great when riding harder. Normal Mmmm - somewhere in between I think?

 

[harry]

Personally, I can't feel much of a difference between Sport, Comfort and Normal, unlike on a K1200 I tried. So much so that I am having it checked at service

I tried switching running over cobbled streets and didn't notice any difference! Anyone in that camp?

I think you may have a prob, I'm 15 st, and there is a marked difference in the damping between C S and N, instantly noticeable.

 

[AdamA]

Probably! I know I don't! All depends how far you want to take it. For me the convenience outweighs anything else!

Quite. Horses for courses.
Works for you (and many others), doesn't for me (and many others).
No big thing.
I'm sure some will try and make it so tho.

 

[gsbiker]

Quite. Horses for courses.
Works for you (and many others), doesn't for me (and many others).
No big thing.
I'm sure some will try and make it so tho.

The difference is in the colour - cause the gloss red goes faster than the matt grey, something to do with aerodynamics and drag factors I've read

 

[AdamA]

The difference is in the colour - cause the gloss red goes faster than the matt grey, something to do with aerodynamics and drag factors I've read

I can confirm this in the most scientific of manners.
My bike started out as a Magnesium Matt but I wanted a red so did a swap of the bodywork.
It's at least 10mph quicker everywhere now.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Personally, I can't feel much of a difference between Sport, Comfort and Normal, unlike on a K1200 I tried. So much so that I am having it checked at service

I tried switching running over cobbled streets and didn't notice any difference! Anyone in that camp?

On both the bikes I've had ESA on, I found it very difficult to tell the difference when new. Now I can't understand why - I can tell which setting it is on just from the feel ('oo 'er missus).

Not sure whether it takes time for the suspension to bed in (seems unlikely) or just takes me time to dial into the bike. The difference on the GSA is ceratinly a bit more subtle than the RT was.

By all means get the dealer to check it out but also give it time.

 

[Drofsereb]

On both the bikes I've had ESA on, I found it very difficult to tell the difference when new. Now I can't understand why - I can tell which setting it is on just from the feel ('oo 'er missus).

Not sure whether it takes time for the suspension to bed in (seems unlikely) or just takes me time to dial into the bike. The difference on the GSA is ceratinly a bit more subtle than the RT was.

By all means get the dealer to check it out but also give it time.

Thanks for this - If it wasn't for the significant difference between settings on the K1200 I rode, I would have put it down to not being used to the system yet. The K, as I recall, only had about 3k miles on the clock, but the experience of ESA on that bike was what made me go for it on the GS. Maybe it will dial in a bit more with time, or maybe the K settings are set 'further apart' than the GS? I will be happier when the dealer has checked it out and at least if it's just a matter of getting used to it on this bike I can concentrate on that without any doubts at the back of my mind. Other than the fact that I've maybe spent a bit of money on something that doesn't make the difference I'd hoped it would!