Bust suspension

SplintUK

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I noticed a little sad oil patch under my 08 r1200gs (ESA) tonight and traced it up to the rear suspension damper. I fear an expensive bill from Motorrad is around the corner.

How safe is it to ride in the mean time? It felt a bit harsh coming home tonight, but not unridable, and it is needed for my commute. Would I be putting myself at a silly level of risk to keep on it until it is fixed or is it a 'dont be daft, get the dealer to pick it up' job?

All advice gratefully received.
 
I'd get it looked at as it will loose its damping and get more bouncy . They are not cheap if out of warrant .Sorry if I have made you sad:thumb2
 
SplintUK said:
I noticed a little sad oil patch under my 08 r1200gs (ESA) tonight and traced it up to the rear suspension damper. I fear an expensive bill from Motorrad is around the corner.

How safe is it to ride in the mean time? It felt a bit harsh coming home tonight, but not unridable, and it is needed for my commute. Would I be putting myself at a silly level of risk to keep on it until it is fixed or is it a 'dont be daft, get the dealer to pick it up' job?

All advice gratefully received.
Click to expand...

Bugger - thoght for a moment it was another bra sale ....... :blast
 
Looks like a big bill ...... around £1,200 according to previous posts, although there are 3rd party alternatives.
 
I got quoted £1205 for the part, £1305ish including fitting. I'll post the final bill.
 
wilburs

Wilburs WESA system fits the ESA system and is built to order to your weight and riding style for well under half the price....and... they're rebuildable i.e. repairable if they go off later.

Roger.
 
G5RJO said:
Wilburs WESA system fits the ESA system and is built to order to your weight and riding style
Click to expand...

But here is the rub, I need my bike to commute on, and it is currently broken, so I can't wait for custom built - or cheaper - I had to go with what got it fixed today.

Ever tried to buy a washing machine when yours broke down irreparably? 90% of them seem to have a 2 week lead time on delivery. How many people ever wake up and think, 'I fancy a new washing machine even though my current one works fine' so can wait 2 weeks for a new one? I would say most of us have to go with, 'mr Currys, my washing machine broke and my kids school uniform needs washing for Monday, which models are in stock for me to take away today.'

I'm in the same position really. I need he bike today, so going with Motorrad and a loan bike with the BMW part is the expensive option, but is really my only option. Renting a bike while I wait for the custom part, costs even more money than the Motorrad option, so it rules itself out.

One of those 'it sucks, but there it is, deal with it' moments I guess.

Thanks for your help everyone. I will post the final price when I've paid it.
 
The bill is in. £1320.37 including an exhaust clamp which had seized and needed replacing.

However they have put in to BMW for a good will claim to cover half the cost of the shock (£1200 alone, so £600 for the claim), but the jury is still out on that decision. Would be nice though. Fingers crossed.
 
SplintUK said:
The bill is in. £1320.37 including an exhaust clamp which had seized and needed replacing.

However they have put in to BMW for a good will claim to cover half the cost of the shock (£1200 alone, so £600 for the claim), but the jury is still out on that decision. Would be nice though. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

Ouch!!! Hope you have some luck with the goodwill claim.

Must admit to being glad that I have always avoided ESA and spent the money saved to go towards upgrading to Wilbers :D
 
Paul S said:
Must admit to being glad that I have always avoided ESA and spent the money saved to go towards upgrading to Wilbers :D
Click to expand...

The standard shock isn't that different from the ESA item when you get them both apart, the major difference is the preload hydraulic units plus the ESA has electrically switchable damping. The actual damper rod and piston housing look identical.

My guess is a bad batch of Showa ESA piston/tubes as it seems a not uncommon failure.

Should my own ESA fail or leak, I will be going down the WESA route, had Wilbers on my 2004 GS and they were brilliant.
 
Pukmeister said:
The standard shock isn't that different from the ESA item when you get them both apart, the major difference is the preload hydraulic units plus the ESA has electrically switchable damping. The actual damper rod and piston housing look identical.

My guess is a bad batch of Showa ESA piston/tubes as it seems a not uncommon failure.

Should my own ESA fail or leak, I will be going down the WESA route, had Wilbers on my 2004 GS and they were brilliant.
Click to expand...

My view is that both the standard and ESA shocks on the GS's are not great quality. First thing I do on a new GS is swap the suspension for Wilbers and hang up the originals on the garage wall :thumb
 
Paul S said:
Ouch!!! Hope you have some luck with the goodwill claim.

Must admit to being glad that I have always avoided ESA and spent the money saved to go towards upgrading to Wilbers :D
Click to expand...

I paid about £1200 for BOTH my Wilburs, that was for a ride-in / ride-out service, shocks built to my spec and professionally setup on the day.

And if they ever do leak it costs about £90 for a service, oil change and new seals.

If I did ever buy another GS I would want a non ESA bike for sure.
 
Why are they not rebuildable? they are only a metal tube, I would love to have a go at one.
If mine develops a leak i would go at it.
 
ESA = Electronic suspension adjust.

GOOD NEWS

BMW have decided that for good will they will pay half of the cost of the part, so I just had £602.67 refunded by the dealer. Better than a poke with a sharp stick and no mistake. Sure I'm still £720, but this time yesterday it was £1320.37 down, so it's good news from that point of view.
 
SplintUK said:
I noticed a little sad oil patch under my 08 r1200gs (ESA) tonight and traced it up to the rear suspension damper. I fear an expensive bill from Motorrad is around the corner.

How safe is it to ride in the mean time? It felt a bit harsh coming home tonight, but not unridable, and it is needed for my commute. Would I be putting myself at a silly level of risk to keep on it until it is fixed or is it a 'dont be daft, get the dealer to pick it up' job?

All advice gratefully received.
Click to expand...

Hi mate. What year is your bike?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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