Buying An RT - ESA A necessity for onwards sale?

[adventuredon]

Looking at a very nice 2008 RT with 16000 on clock. It does not have ESA, it doesn't bother me too much, but thinking in 3 years when I want to sell, will it really bother a buyer? I know that by then it'll have around 45 000 on the clock and I think that ESA / shock may probably need re-doing or be near failure at that point anyway. Or will the market drop it too much that I should hang on now for one with ESA. Or fit ESA?

ps
the RT has hetaed seats, grips, cruise control and Sat Nav and is in very good condition (side panniers need re painting though and dealer is having this done) for £7200 ish. So price may already reflect that there isnt ESA already?

 

[Roberto]

It'll be an 8 year old bike when you come to sell it. In my view having ESA or not would be irrelevant by then. In fact, if I were buying an 8 year old bike I'd probably regard it as something else expensive to go wrong.

 

[adventuredon]

It'll be an 8 year old bike when you come to sell it. In my view having ESA or not would be irrelevant by then. In fact, if I were buying an 8 year old bike I'd probably regard it as something else expensive to go wrong.

Im kinda with you on that. How much do you guys make use of it? 70'% of my riding will be daily london commute, then weekend lunches out and about. 2/3 trips abroad with pillion..haven't noticed it on the GS, but then I didn't have it to notice..lol
Useful?

 

[JayC]

The bike was sold new without ESA so why wouldn't someone buy it used without ESA?

 

[adventuredon]

The bike was sold new without ESA so why wouldn't someone buy it used without ESA?

Call me fickle, but it seems the more gizmos and goodies you have the more interest there is..I am leaning towards the don't worry about it side, but maybe it'll be cool to have it anyway..

 

[Roberto]

Im kinda with you on that. How much do you guys make use of it? 70'% of my riding will be daily london commute, then weekend lunches out and about. 2/3 trips abroad with pillion..haven't noticed it on the GS, but then I didn't have it to notice..lol
Useful?

ESA was handy on my RT and I liked it; the settings were more distinctive on the RT than on the GS. For me it was useful as my needs varied a lot, 1 up, 2 up, luggage so it was a bonus. Of note my RT was nearly new at the time and still had most of the warranty left to run.

Out of interest I have an older LT now and don't pine for ESA on that one bit.

If I were in your shoes ESA wouldn't be a deal breaker in any sense if I felt I was looking at the right bike. Given the age your potential new bike is and your intention to keep in I'd probably be just as happy not to have it.

Hope that helps. RT's are cracking bikes, ESA or not you should enjoy it..

 

[Roberto]

Call me fickle, but it seems the more gizmos and goodies you have the more interest there is..I am leaning towards the don't worry about it side, but maybe it'll be cool to have it anyway..

I agree in a sense, but keep in mind you'll be flogging an 8 year old bike, I think heated grips, seats, cruise will be better accessories at that stage..

 

[rodsharp]

Call me old fashioned but I prefer to have less toys to go wrong and by the time you sell it most buyers would be aware of that fact. Lots of comments on this and other sites dont reckon it anyway.

 

[Myke Rocks]

OK, I'm the exception, but:

I have my 1200rt with ESA for the last 5 years.

To be truthful, I can't really tell the difference between settings.

OK, so I tend to prefer it as a high speed wallowy barge. Having hard suspension really does nothing for me, and I find the front much harder over cats eyes than my 1100 was, no matter where it is set.
Yes, I am happy to have it, and crank it up when touring with maybe 70+ kilos in the panniers and top box. (Yes, I know)
Whether I would look for it if buying, I don't know, but I would definitely look for cruise control, which I don't have.
Myke

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I've got ESA and can't tell the difference either.
If you like the bike and it's right for you and the right price, buy it, enjoy it and get what you can for it when it's time to sell it.

 

[spm0912]

All those with ESA who can't feel any difference between the settings either have a knackered unit or don't push the bike very hard

I wouldn't spec a new bike without it, but......if I was looking at an 8 year old bike I'd be avoiding ESA and anything else likely to go expensively wrong.

 

[aRTy_Hexhead]

Had an 05RT for coming up 4yrs now.
It was 4 yrs old when I bought it from the dealer with 26k on the clock.
Handling felt vague after I got used to riding it.

Got the chance to replace with a set of Ohlins at 30k.
Totally transformed the handling. Rock solid, planted etc.
Bike now on 52k and still feels the same.
I have damping adjustment only on the rear and it had coped with 1up (though a wee bit firm and bouncy) but when 2up or 1up touring with camping gear it's just perfect.
Smooth, controlled and taut.

Would forget the BMW stock items and/or ESA and put the money into a decent set of schocks - which can be overhauled when the need arises.
I believe the BM ones are sealed and only suited for the bin when 'worn' out.

It's a big bike and requires decent suspension you should see the Ohlins against the stock items - The BMW ones look like they are meant for a childs play thing.

Agree with a number of posts:

more fancy gear = more to go wrong = more money to BMW = £ s to your pocket money


Nothing like the mnemonic 'KISS'

Keep It Simple Stupid


'Ohlins' are just the dogs doo danglies as far as shocks go!

 

[adventuredon]

Thanks for the insight. I am now trying to get my GS sold so I can pull the trigger on 1 or other RT! I enquired from BMW and they cannot retrofit ESA to the 2008 model. Don't ask me how/why not - they just said it wasn't in the catalogue. So its out for that RT. If mine sells, I will buy the one with out ESA. If its gone by the time I get mine gone, I'll look around.
BTW: how much was the Ohlins upgrade?

 

[aRTy_Hexhead]

As I said:
I got the chance to upgrade my shocks.

Got a pair of little used Ohlins from the BMW Club website - £500.

New price is about £800 rear and £725 front - so not cheap bur remember these can be set up for you and your weight and luggage carried.

More importantly Ohlins can be SERVICED.

New price for a BMW rear shock is about £400 can't get price for front.
But not serviceable(?)

But you can always take them with you. If or when you sell the bike.
Stick the original shocks back on. Who is to know.
Dealers, I am told, are generally not really interested in 'extras' put on the bike so you would probably not get much more for the bike with Ohlins on.

So if planning on another RT, take them off use them again or flog them.

Recycle - Reuse - Refit - whatever!

Prices based on:

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=35&Ct=KA&SbCt=BA_15_35_KA_70

Ohlins website:

http://www.ohlins-suspension.co.uk/ohlinsroadproducts.htm

I note that fitment is shown for 05 - 09 R1200RT.
So maybe a phonecall to confirm that these will fit later models.
Thought it was only really the engine that was upgraded for '10 onwards to a twin cam and some cosmetics.
Anyone know if there were suspension changes?

Hope this helps and all the best in your quest for an RT.




ps The 12RT is a cracking bike, not that I'm biased, of course.

 

[Bluesticky1]

All those with ESA who can't feel any difference between the settings either have a knackered unit or don't push the bike very hard

I wouldn't spec a new bike without it, but......if I was looking at an 8 year old bike I'd be avoiding ESA and anything else likely to go expensively wrong.

Quite agree. I find ESA really, really useful, and frequently use it on the move to adjust my ride. Comfort is only used for long motorway miles as really smooths it out - particularly useful when bladder is full and trying to prolong a stop.
Normal is my every day one, and Sport is when the road gets fun and twisty, or I am just riding fast.

For me it will be essential on any future bike. Mines a 12 plate, so still warranties though, and if buying used it wouldn't be a deal breaker (I justify the new as its my only vehicle).

1st post - be gentle!

 

[GSTourer]

I have it on my 2010RT and wouldn't be bothered if it wasn't there as I can't feel any difference when cycling through the settings whilst on the move. And before anyone says it must be knackered (it isn't, as 2 dealers have checked it out and said it is OK) or I don't ride hard enough (I do).

 

[kevingrahambutler]

Why 2 dealers looked at it, did you not trust the first

 

[Bluesticky1]

I have it on my 2010RT and wouldn't be bothered if it wasn't there as I can't feel any difference when cycling through the settings whilst on the move. And before anyone says it must be knackered (it isn't, as 2 dealers have checked it out and said it is OK) or I don't ride hard enough (I do).

That really surprises me, tbh. I am really impressed by the difference it makes. It'll never handle like my old R6 but sport really tightens everything up, and comfort is really wallowy on anything but big A roads and motorways. The test ride convinced me of its value, hence why I paid for it. I was a true sceptic before riding though.

 

[GSTourer]

Why 2 dealers looked at it, did you not trust the first

I wanted a second opinion as I can feel no difference whatsoever when changing setting on the move.........this is totally different to how I remember courtesy RT's I have ridden when my old GSA was in for servicing.

 

[GSTourer]

That really surprises me, tbh. I am really impressed by the difference it makes. It'll never handle like my old R6 but sport really tightens everything up, and comfort is really wallowy on anything but big A roads and motorways. The test ride convinced me of its value, hence why I paid for it. I was a true sceptic before riding though.

And that is how I remember the courtesy RT's that I have ridden when my old GSA was in for servicing............however, I have had two dealers (the one I bought it from) and another who always do the servicing on my bikes tell me it is all OK.