Bouncy rear

[Jallani]

Hi chaps - after more advice. I think my 2013 LC is starting to show it's age as small issues are starting to surface, which are becoming more frequent. Just taken it to get it's MOT and the mechanic pointed out that there is no rebound in the rear suspension and that is a straight fail. I tried playing around with the dynamic suspension incase it was frozen but no joy.

The bikes been sitting in the garage for a few months and doesn't get used that regularly but am sure it was fine the last time it went out.

I briefly spoke to BMW dealer who straightaway suggested it was a £1500+ replacement (they won't repair).

What are my options?

Thanks

 

[stonehenge]

Was the MOT at a BMW dealer?

You should feel a different rebound as you scroll through Soft / Normal / Hard setting. I guess that if you have no rebound damping at all then the shock has failed (usually see some evidence of this - like a small oil leak) and a rebuild is necessary. Can't remember who does this service, but you can have ESA shocks re-built. If you have Dynamic ESA, check the rod that measures the shock movement is free and working ok.

 

[crotchrocket]

ESA shocks come up on eBay quite often for a few hundred quid. You'd need a trip to BMW once installed to set it up with the computer.

 

[er-minio]

I think my 2013 LC is starting to show it's age as small issues are starting to surface

Mileage?

 

[Jallani]

Mine has done 27K mileage. I used a local independent garage who sell all bikes and do MOT's. Not BMW specialists. The chap pushed down the rear subframe and said this is a MOT failure. There are no warning lights on the dash so assume it's mechanical but BMW won't fault find this - just replace.

New ESA rear shock for 2013 LC is £1541. Used from motoworks is £750 if they have them. ~£300 for a Hagon but will mean no ESA.

I don't have the extended warranty

 

[ChazzyB]

No rebound? It makes a big difference if the engine is running...

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Get a second opinion from your BMW dealer

 

[sven]

No rebound? It makes a big difference if the engine is running...

The suspension is solid with the ignition switched off, so that would be a failure for no compression? I suspect this is what the MoT tester has mistaken for a failed shock absorber though

 

[Jallani]

Booked with Chandlers in Brighton for a second opinion (and Vines for 3rd opinion in a few weeks). To be honest, I didn't really notice an issue riding to the MOT station as lots of pot holes so bouncy anyway (plus I only weigh 58kg so a lightweight). The dynamic suspension is changing if I scroll through the luggage/pillion rider options. There are no warning lights on the dash. I had a one-off issue a year ago where the dynamic suspension got stuck in one position and a warning light came on the dash - although this was fixed by riding then restarting the bike...

I assumed the MOT tester has done hundreds of GS's so didn't question his judgement. He pushed down the rear and showed me it bouncing. I tried starting it and changing the ESA/dynamic suspension and although slightly stiffer he wasn't convinced.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

ESA Shocks can be reconditioned for around £120 by MCT (http://www.mctsuspension.com/). they did a brilliant job with mine. I sourced a second hand non-ESA shock for a couple of hundred quid to use temporarily while my ESA unit was away being serviced and keep as a spare.

 

[CPJS]

You must check with BMW (or an independant suspension specialist) why it has lost it's damping. It could be mechanical or electronic failure.
If altering the esa settings makes no difference at all, it could be electronics failure that a rebuild would not fix.

 

[DRAIN MAN]

you do not have to set the shock up on the computer, mine worked straight away after fitting it.

 

[comberjohn]

I've just replaced the ESA shocks on my TC GS and from what I've read on the forum, 30k miles seems to be about right for a re build or replace. You will keeping riding them!
Mine were clean with no leaks, but I felt every piece of grit on the road! At 30k miles they're done. Stopping kidding yourself looking for a cheap fix. It's a BMW!
Have a look at Wilbers shocks. You can have your ESA built onto the new shocks and you won't believe the difference a good set of shocks will make to the bike.
For less than the cost of a new BMW rear shock, you can replace both with Wilbers with ESA. If the back one has gone, the front hasn't long to go.
Don't waste your money on second hand, and your time, if you have ever had to change a set.
I was lucky to find a set of NOS WP ESA shocks for my TC and fitted them myself. What a difference to the handling!
It's recommended that you routinely have even good shocks rebuilt at between 20 and 30k miles. Depending on your use.

 

[Stahlgewittern]

Same happened to mine 23000 mls, front shocker started to leak so replaced it, then rear shock lost its rebound. replaced it with one from 2016 bike now handling great.
If you go for second hand check part numbers as I was sold a front shock described as for normal GS but it was off an adventure which is 18mm longer. it worked fine but rear shock tried to match extra height leaving me on tip toes. Adv front shock for sale £120

 

[Jallani]

I was lucky to find a set of NOS WP ESA shocks for my TC and fitted them myself.

Did you get any error codes after replacing or was it straight swap out? Thanks

 

[C Thornton]

I hope you managed to sort this out.
My experience with the esa rear suspension is not good. The first unit failed at 16,473 miles. BMW replaced this one with no charge.
This replacement unit has now failed at 36,134 miles. BMW won’t replace this one. They view this that it is perfectly reasonable for my bike to need a new shock at 36k so I can pay the £1,800 for a replacement.
The problem I have with this is that based on my past experience with a shock averaging 18k this equates to my esa rear suspension costing me £100 for every 1,000 miles covered.
I love the GS and I was going to upgrade but until BMW recognises the shortcomings of the reliability of the rear suspension my cash will have to stay in my pocket for now. Hopefully I can find a used unit from somewhere.

 

[Mr Bean]

Get it rebuilt from one of the many recommendations on here.

 

[Winjar]

I hope you managed to sort this out.
My experience with the esa rear suspension is not good. The first unit failed at 16,473 miles. BMW replaced this one with no charge.
This replacement unit has now failed at 36,134 miles. BMW won’t replace this one. They view this that it is perfectly reasonable for my bike to need a new shock at 36k so I can pay the £1,800 for a replacement.
The problem I have with this is that based on my past experience with a shock averaging 18k this equates to my esa rear suspension costing me £100 for every 1,000 miles covered.
I love the GS and I was going to upgrade but until BMW recognises the shortcomings of the reliability of the rear suspension my cash will have to stay in my pocket for now. Hopefully I can find a used unit from somewhere.

You have option and no problem, Denzo from here, he have FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TTechSuspension/about/?ref=page_internal

 

[the woodster]

I hope you managed to sort this out.
My experience with the esa rear suspension is not good. The first unit failed at 16,473 miles. BMW replaced this one with no charge.
This replacement unit has now failed at 36,134 miles. BMW won’t replace this one. They view this that it is perfectly reasonable for my bike to need a new shock at 36k so I can pay the £1,800 for a replacement.
The problem I have with this is that based on my past experience with a shock averaging 18k this equates to my esa rear suspension costing me £100 for every 1,000 miles covered.
I love the GS and I was going to upgrade but until BMW recognises the shortcomings of the reliability of the rear suspension my cash will have to stay in my pocket for now. Hopefully I can find a used unit from somewhere.

Not great is it but I wonder if other manufacturers have a better warranty on their ESA shocks, either with the original or extended warranties? Personally, if/when mine starts playing up, I'll go down the Wilburs or Ohlins ESA route, as I intend keeping it. Good luck with sorting yours.

 

[Rockred]

Check out Denzo, as Winjar has said in post #18. Denzo is a member of this site, and suspension is what he does. There is a post on here showing his work with photos. If I were in your position he would be my first port of call. Good luck.