Electronic Suspension Adjustment

[Deleted account Cooperman]

I'm about to join the 1200GS family, currenty weighing up the options of new v used and what spec.
Any views on the value of specifying ESA?
Also are the standard BMW panniers any good?

 

[Andy B]

I spec'd a new GSA in March with ESA. If you like playing and toys then you'll probably enjoy it, but IMHO it certainly isn't worth the extra money. Mine's gone wrong once and ended up with a new front end shock system.

Because I couldn't justify the cost of the GSA panniers when I bought the bike I transfered over my old GS panniers. With the exception of the top box, they only spend a few weeks a year on the bike and again, the extra cost didn't justify the change. I've used the GS panniers for 4 years now, with the BMW liners, and had no problems with them whatsoever. Even without the waterproof inners I've never seen water in the cases even after riding through some very heavy rain. Others will tell you different, but this is my experience.

 

[magpie]

I'm about to join the 1200GS family, currenty weighing up the options of new v used and what spec.
Any views on the value of specifying ESA?
Also are the standard BMW panniers any good?

I find the ESA a great tool never had any problems with it
I like the BM panniers easy on easy off with no visible frame work when removed
However don’t pay full dealer price!!! look on this forum or Ebay and grab a bargain

 

[always 100]

ESA

I found ESA to be excellent no more riding for 6months fiddling with knobs (on the bike) getting the right settings for the RSGPS (rear seat GPS) with and without luggage. In my opinion BMW have the setting near as damn it, so I can change from the mid-week commute to the weekend hoot with or without her in a couple of seconds. Has my vote I will defo spec it again. As an aside I found the display has an "rider is a idiot warning symbol" found it this morning by accident got on the bike got to the bottom of the hill and it flashed at me it looks just like a snow flake and I got the meaning immediately "you are an idiot its -1 degrees and your on a bike, Take the car" but I roughed it just for the ride home.

 

[wilbjr21]

Another vote for ESA.........

 

[EggChaser]

As an aside I found the display has an "rider is a idiot warning symbol" found it this morning by accident got on the bike got to the bottom of the hill and it flashed at me it looks just like a snow flake and I got the meaning immediately "you are an idiot its -1 degrees and your on a bike, Take the car" but I roughed it just for the ride home.

That's not a "rider is an idiot warning", that's an adrenaline generator for multi-weather riders

 

[Andy_E]

Another vote for ESA.........

Here too

 

[Ringmaster999]

ESA is defo the way to go IMHO. I love the fact that at a touch of a button you can alter the compresion from Normal - Sport - Comfort all depending on what roads you are riding and how you want to ride them depending on conditions and your mood. Bought my GSA 08 5mths ago 5500miles latter no problems so far
And yep I love the panniers as well

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I got ESA as part of the package and its easy to use no more messing with preload etc ,stick it on comfy with rider and kuggage and it rides like a dream

 

[2 wheel humvee]

My take on ESA?
Apart from being another electronic gizmo to go wrong it's electronic adjustment of a shock that's built down to a price rather than up to a standard,do a search on aftermarket shocks and see how many people chose to go for a reputable supplier like Wilbers/Ohlins/White Power etc. once they realise the shortcomings of the original equipment
Horses for courses of course and it's just my $ 0.02c but I know where I would rather spend my hard earned,I may at some stage buy another 12GSA and ESA is a box I wouldn't tick.

 

[cookie]

never tried ESA and can't imagine i'd spec it on a new bike. i have tried OEM GS shocks before and they've all been rubbish, not much encouragement to pay extra for some with motors and electronics in them.

i have wilburs on mine & only need to adjust the preload for solo, luggage, and pillion. that's it, a few times a year. takes 20 secs.

might be different if i went off road

like i said, not tried ESA but i know my wilburs, and ohlins before them, work well. can't say the same about bmw kit.

 

[Slowdown]

never tried ESA and can't imagine i'd spec it on a new bike. i have tried OEM GS shocks before and they've all been rubbish, not much encouragement to pay extra for some with motors and electronics in them.

i have wilburs on mine & only need to adjust the preload for solo, luggage, and pillion. that's it, a few times a year. takes 20 secs.

might be different if i went off road

like i said, not tried ESA but i know my wilburs, and ohlins before them, work well. can't say the same about bmw kit.

+1. Only I went with WP.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Interesting feedback. It would appear there is no clear cut answer.
I have a BMW car and have no idea what make of suspension units are used, I just expect them to perform and be reliable. I am sure I could upgrade the car suspension units but no need if it works for me.
With the bike it appears that ESA works for some people albeit better units could be fitted. Is the issue the electronics actually increase the chances of a fault?
Also if you can manually realtively easily adjust the preload for luggage/pillion, what is the advantage of ESA? The brochure gives no information. My understanding is additionally you can have comfort settings for long hauls, stiffer sport settings for the twisties and an off-road setting increasing the overall height - all adjustable on the move? Correct?

 

[cookie]

Also if you can manually realtively easily adjust the preload for luggage/pillion, what is the advantage of ESA? The brochure gives no information. My understanding is additionally you can have comfort settings for long hauls, stiffer sport settings for the twisties and an off-road setting increasing the overall height - all adjustable on the move? Correct?

i suspect the ESA adjusts the damping as well as the preload.

i should have mentioned, but forgot. i do adjust the rebound damping on the back occasionally. that takes another 20 seconds, but i do have to get my fingers grubby as it is quite awkward.

the electronics/complexity of ESA would not put me off per se, but the forums here are littered with ESA failures, and i believe there already has been a recall.
typical 1200 then

 

[wilbjr21]

i suspect the ESA adjusts the damping as well as the preload.

i should have mentioned, but forgot. i do adjust the rebound damping on the back occasionally. that takes another 20 seconds, but i do have to get my fingers grubby as it is quite awkward.

the electronics/complexity of ESA would not put me off per se, but the forums here are littered with ESA failures, and i believe there already has been a recall.
typical 1200 then

Don't see much litter around here. No recall for mine............. works just faultless.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

I was thinking about this when I was thinking of buying one. For me I think it depends if your going to keep the bike a long time and do loads of miles? the cost of replacement I'm sure won't be cheap. Put on a pair of Wilbers/Ohlins etc that have been set up for your weight / riding style and I (personnel opinion) think you'll have better suspension from day one. I do ride one up 99% of the time as the wife has her own bike.

Just my 2p worth..... Oh and I decided to keep my 1150 forever, the 12 wasn't worth my bike and 6K (not even 2k )

 

[iangough]

ESA

I have test ridden a couple of BM's with ESA. The concept is great, and again in time, i think all bikes will go that way.
However, there's one key fundamental flaw (unless i am greatly mislead) and thats the fact that you can't set your base reference point and then set what you determine as soft, normal, hard, solo,pillion, luggage combo's etc etc. Most people that have ESA have it set to the wrong setting. (often to jack the back up to make it turn a bit quicker and for it to give it more neutral handling)
For eample, my definition of soft/medium or hard will be determined by my personal preferences and my weight (as well as the weight of my pillion and luggage, tyre choice etc)

A slight digression but part of the same mentality is the fact that this exists on the standard bikes to an extent too, as i know, again of no-one that rides with their suspension set to 'absolute softest' on rebound and preload. This is a 'wasted' set of values that BM must know.

There could be some very valid technical reasons for this (i.e. sag settings) but that's my two penth worf ....

 

[The Bede]

... If you're regularly changing the load then ESA is well worth it. I know changing the pre-load manually for luggage or baggage wife) only takes 20 seconds, but I always find it happens to be the 20 seconds just after you've loaded up, geared up, climbed aboard and are pulling away

... If you rarely alter you're set-up then it may not be worth it

... Reliability? Who knows
... I've had no trouble ... erm ... and I don't want to say anymore in case I jinx myself

 

[Budweiser]

ESA for me to

 

[cookie]

I know changing the pre-load manually for luggage or baggage wife) only takes 20 seconds, but I always find it happens to be the 20 seconds just after you've loaded up, geared up, climbed aboard and are pulling away

that is a good point