ESA - An important question

[bumpy]

We all know that ESA is an electronic means to adjust and optimise the suspension set up. I love the 1200GS set on 'comfort' setting for smoothing out most of the pot holes and lumps in the roads around the UK.

Here is my question.

Is this same level of comfort achievable by manually adjusting the existing suspension, or does the 'comfort' range of ESA exceed that of the standard units?

 

[autogs]

esa

i think you will find that suspension is a very difficult thing to quantify,in that every body likes a different feel from their bike,personally i love my esa,ease of use and you,well i can really feel the diff on the various settings,

dont think its an important question though

 

[bumpy]

dont think its an important question though

Its important for me, as I have a normal GS, but haven't as yet found a suspension setting that gives me the quality of ride that I liked on the demo GS with ESA set on comfort.

So technically, I want to know if I am searching for a suspension set up on my bike which is impossible to achieve.

This could equally apply to the 'sport' setting. Does that have a range of adjustment which is superior to the standard dampers.

 

[cocokid]

We all know that ESA is an electronic means to adjust and optimise the suspension set up. I love the 1200GS set on 'comfort' setting for smoothing out most of the pot holes and lumps in the roads around the UK.

Here is my question.

Is this same level of comfort achievable by manually adjusting the existing suspension, or does the 'comfort' range of ESA exceed that of the standard units?

I have just pxd my 58 plate rt (with esa ) for an 09 gsa all the toys but no esa, I found that with the rt I was leaving the esa setting on comfort all the time, the sport setting was just to hard and bumpy ( for me) I can honestly say that I dont miss the esa and can achieve a good ride manually,though to be fair the gsa has longer travel suspension and I prefer a softer ride,so I saved myself 500 odd quid and then blew it on sargent seats!

 

[WindyChuffer]

ESA = Extremely Silly Accessory

Toys for the boys.

Some like it, some don't see the point. Something else to go wrong in the middle of nowhere...

Just my opinion; I don't expect others to agree.

(I'll collect my coat now).

 

[autogs]

bumpy,sport has only the one damping setting as have the other two,preload has others but only on rear shock,dont take this wrong but i think you are searching for something you wont find this side of fully adj ohilins race set up on a sports bike

 

[bumpy]

bumpy,sport has only the one damping setting as have the other two,preload has others but only on rear shock,dont take this wrong but i think you are searching for something you wont find this side of fully adj ohilins race set up on a sports bike

But I did find what I want on the ESA demonstrator.

Just want to know if theres any hope of adjusting mine to match.

 

[autogs]

well in that case youve answersd your own question,tbh there arnt that many combinations of settings

 

[Big Nick]

I take a pillion regularly so use the ESA a lot

The difference between the settings is clearly felt and I for one am a fan of ESA

If it fails outside of the warranty I may change my mind though......

 

[autogs]

extended warrenty takes care of that,no prob

 

[wilbjr21]

ESA = Extremely Silly Accessory

Toys for the boys.

Couldn't disgree more.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

We all know that ESA is an electronic means to adjust and optimise the suspension set up. I love the 1200GS set on 'comfort' setting for smoothing out most of the pot holes and lumps in the roads around the UK.

Here is my question.

Is this same level of comfort achievable by manually adjusting the existing suspension, or does the 'comfort' range of ESA exceed that of the standard units?

Bumpy

Yes, if you spend a day or two tweaking the suspension. The standard settings are pretty good IMHO and it`s the place to start (it`s in the manual) and just try others until you get it right.

On my GSA for example, I found the bike wallowed in fast bends and when loaded at motorway speeds no matter what I tried. I fitted Hyperpro compression springs (£60 each) and it transformed the bike.

ESA is good, but is an expensive and lazy option, for doing something you can easily do yourself.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I've always found manually adjusting the suspension at 70mph quite difficult.

 

[cookie]

I've always found manually adjusting the suspension at 70mph quite difficult.

AAMOI you can't adjust the preload while moving with ESA, only damping.

i tried an ESA equipped GS this morning, and i can state catagorically, that my beWilbered GSA rides better and is more comfy. in comparison to original fitment, i'd say it was about the same for comfort, but miles more control.

to be fair, i will concede that the Adventure being much heavier, may be less affected by bumps, but control was at least the equal of the ESA bike in sweepers too.
i think i can spare the energy to ramp up the preload and damping manually on the few occasions i carry passengers/heavy luggage. those swapping settings more frequently may have different priorities

 

[Dainese Brave]

Although not an important question...I think it is an interesting one.

I have an 07 GSA without ESA, but would seriously consider it when I upgrading.

The trouble is, how do you know if it is an amusing toy, or a worthwhile accessory, without the experience of having it for a long period of time?

And when ordering you are basically judging it on a few hours on a demo bike, and whether it seems a good idea.

Personally I don't find adjusting the suspension a problem. Obviously if you start from the handbooks guidelines, then adjust accordingly to suit, you do get a greater variant of settings.

I tend to do Standard as a default, half way to high with luggage, high with passenger or loaded luggage.

Prior to a solo trip with loaded luggage though, I always put it on max then click it back during the journey down to obtain the prefered ride, and to lose the 'wallowing'.....I think I'd miss that adjustment with ESA.....but then if ESA got it bang on first time, then you wouldn't even think about it, or miss the standard shock.

I guess it's personal choice....it's two sides of the coin really...in an age where 'push button' easy is best, and if it works, then ESA is the thing to go for..........but also choice is everything, and if the standard suspension has say twenty clicks (never counted them, though sure someone has), that is twenty settings of choice to get it right to as you want it!
But realistically I can't see any reason for going below 'Standard' setting in the middle, ( apart from short legs), so that loses half your choice, then you are left with ten clicks to allow for panniers, luggage, and pillion, combinations.

I would be interested to know the range the settings on the ESA are covering in relationship to the say '20 clicks' of the original.

....having said all that..I still don't know if I'd go for it or not when I trade mine in?!?

Would not having it also effect the re-sale value too??

 

[WindyChuffer]

extended warrenty takes care of that,no prob

no frikkin use if you are in the middle of kazakhstan using the bike as intended...

 

[cookie]

no frikkin use if you are in the middle of kazakhstan using the bike as intended...

they have Waitrose in kazakhstan?

despite the BMW advertising, you'd have to be pretty deluded to think that the later GS, particularly the 1200, was ever intended as an ideal RTW bike.

 

[ChrisH]

I have a GS12 with Wilbers and an RT with ESA (I fitted the Wilbers myself simply because I wanted to lower the bike due to my restrictions). I have also had a K1200s until recently with ESA. I like the idea of ESA but I found you simply cannot beat a well set up bike and that is a fact IMHO.
I am thinking of buying a new Adventure and if I do it will NOT have ESA. I want to add that on my RT I find myself constantly fiddling about with the ESA settings, why? Simply because I cannot set it to my liking.

Chris.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I've always found manually adjusting the suspension at 70mph quite difficult.

Why the feck would you want to adjust your suspension at 70mph ??

I tried a bike with it on, and quite liked it to be honest but would never buy it. It`s a sales gimmick and it seems to be a waste of hard earned.

ESA seems like a good idea but it`s complicated electronic system and a bit more to go wrong on the shopping run

As for resale value, I would have thought it would reduce the value especially if the bike is out of warranty.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Why the feck would you want to adjust your suspension at 70mph ??

The speed was chosen at random. The argument applies to any speed.

There is a run back from a client that I do regulalrly - urban poor road surface, a few miles of dual carriageway/motorway, then onto the twisties followed by a very bumpy road. I find being able to switch settings as I go absolutely great.

I tried a bike with it on, and quite liked it to be honest but would never buy it. It`s a sales gimmick and it seems to be a waste of hard earned.

Well each to their own. I rate it better than that. Obviously it is not essential but I find it useful.

ESA seems like a good idea but it`s complicated electronic system and a bit more to go wrong on the shopping run

Seems to have proved very reliable in practice. And cheaply serviced (well the quote I had for my RT was reasonable and I assume the GSA would be similar).

As for resale value, I would have thought it would reduce the value especially if the bike is out of warranty.

Why? See above.