Rinsed (as my kids say)..... 
ESA - An important question
- Thread starter bumpy
- Start date
well if the electrics go it will still go up and down,the hydraulics can fail with same frequency as non esa
Rinsed (as my kids say).....
...now feeling very old...as I haven't got as clue what you're on about!!!
WindyChuffer
Registered user
well if the electrics go it will still go up and down,the hydraulics can fail with same frequency as non esa
Ok, but if it fails at a sports setting, sure it'll still go up and down, but with sports mode limited travel... So in that situation and you are faced with some rough tracks, you're screwed. No adjustment. Zip. Zadda.
Of course where you are and how far you are from a BM dealer dictates how screwed you are. If you are on an expensive trip in the middle of nowhere - you are well and truly screwed. If you are on a ride out near Dorking, then its an annoyance and likely day over. Horses for courses.
Depends where u are planning to go; but then I never thought I'd be on a trip London - Beijing either (which am doing next year).
BTW - www.globebusters.com steer well clear of ESA for exactly these risk reasons.
Each to their own, but provided its been thought through.
what if
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
I wonder why people insist on using a motorbike whereas the job can be done with a simple means of transport that...
1)Is low cost
2)Is fairly Uncomplicated
3)More likely to last many-a- London to Beijing commutes
4)Has no complicated electronics
5)Needs no attention
6)Does not have to be serviced within the dealer network
.
..
...
...
....
.......
wait for it...
onyack
1)Is low cost
2)Is fairly Uncomplicated
3)More likely to last many-a- London to Beijing commutes
4)Has no complicated electronics
5)Needs no attention
6)Does not have to be serviced within the dealer network
.
..
...
...
....
.......
wait for it...
onyackelefantmanshawn
Guest
Good way to bump up the options price for those who want fully loaded extras,talking to a gs owner in barmouth at the weekend who had payed for heated grips but admited he only really used his bike in the summer when the road are clean
ESA yes or No
I test rode a demo A1200ADV with ESA and decided if I bought new I would not spec it. Same for ASC and most of the other stuff you can option. However I ended up getting a fully loaded 08 for a fantastic price secondhand and have put 4k miles on the bike in the last 3 months so have some experience now.
I do use ESA going between Comfort and Sport when conditions dictate and I can tell the difference especially when exploring the edges of the tyres which I like to do. Going through towns or in bimble mode its in Comfort mode other times usually in Sport. Would I pay for it as a specific option - No, its not that useful. Same for ASC and tyre pressure monitors, ASC I never use, the TPM's are nice to tell if the pressures need tweaking but the "nice to have" factor isnt that great to pay out on.
If I was buying new I would spec the heated grips, ABS and get the free luggage. However, I'm glad I got the options at a good price on the secondhand bike because I know the resale value is better with than without IMHO.
I test rode a demo A1200ADV with ESA and decided if I bought new I would not spec it. Same for ASC and most of the other stuff you can option. However I ended up getting a fully loaded 08 for a fantastic price secondhand and have put 4k miles on the bike in the last 3 months so have some experience now.
I do use ESA going between Comfort and Sport when conditions dictate and I can tell the difference especially when exploring the edges of the tyres which I like to do. Going through towns or in bimble mode its in Comfort mode other times usually in Sport. Would I pay for it as a specific option - No, its not that useful. Same for ASC and tyre pressure monitors, ASC I never use, the TPM's are nice to tell if the pressures need tweaking but the "nice to have" factor isnt that great to pay out on.
If I was buying new I would spec the heated grips, ABS and get the free luggage. However, I'm glad I got the options at a good price on the secondhand bike because I know the resale value is better with than without IMHO.
WindyChuffer
Registered user
I wonder why people insist on using a motorbike whereas the job can be done with a simple means of transport that...
1)Is low cost
2)Is fairly Uncomplicated
3)More likely to last many-a- London to Beijing commutes
4)Has no complicated electronics
5)Needs no attention
6)Does not have to be serviced within the dealer network
Thats quite funny.
But on a more serious note on this line, there was a guy who was walking / running a load of horses from Moscow to Beijing and the intention was for it to be a stunt, arriving in time for the Olympics. Anyway, most of them died en-route and he turned up ~3 months late and missed the Olympics !!
So perhaps not as simple a solution as you suggest...
I have an 09 GSA with ASC, TPC & ESA along with the options that I wanted that are heated grips & ABS, why would I shell out for this - simples!
I wanted a new bike, BMW had stock but only of bikes with the premium & Dynamic packs which include all of the above, if I wanted my fairly low tech spec I would have to wait until the end of June for delivery (from the end of april)
It seems that nearly everyone wants all the bells and whistles so that is what is available, anyway does me a deal and takes delivery, my comments so far are
ASC = waste of time, why would you want traction control?
TPC = ok so it tells the tire pressures but only after you have rode it to 30km/hr and I prefer a guage and it will tell you have a puncture, but your backside does that anyway - so waste of time
ESA = seems to work ok but properly set up susp can cope with different types of riding so would I spec it again - probably not.
That being said I would take the same bike again if the price was right but still think that I was right not to want them in the first place.
All my opinion only.
I wanted a new bike, BMW had stock but only of bikes with the premium & Dynamic packs which include all of the above, if I wanted my fairly low tech spec I would have to wait until the end of June for delivery (from the end of april)
It seems that nearly everyone wants all the bells and whistles so that is what is available, anyway does me a deal and takes delivery, my comments so far are
ASC = waste of time, why would you want traction control?
TPC = ok so it tells the tire pressures but only after you have rode it to 30km/hr and I prefer a guage and it will tell you have a puncture, but your backside does that anyway - so waste of time
ESA = seems to work ok but properly set up susp can cope with different types of riding so would I spec it again - probably not.
That being said I would take the same bike again if the price was right but still think that I was right not to want them in the first place.
All my opinion only.
I think that is the clearest evaluation based on rational opinion and experience to answer this tricky question
Deleted account 210609001
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A friend has an RT and really rates his ESA as making a proper difference. He does a lot of miles two-up, but says even the damping adjustment on th ego is relly worht changing.
His did break, unfortunately, midway through a trip to Sicily. However, all he lost was the adjustment, leaving it where it was, so disappointing but not really a massive problem.
His did break, unfortunately, midway through a trip to Sicily. However, all he lost was the adjustment, leaving it where it was, so disappointing but not really a massive problem.
OK, I am now in a position to answer my own question regarding the relative 'comfort' levels of ESA and non ESA GS's.
I weight 12 stone, and manually set my 2007 GS suspension to factory recommended settings for single rider (second position on the front damper, rear preload fully in then 10 clicks out, and rear damping 1.5 turns out from the highest setting)
I then compared this with a 2009 GS, with ESA, set on single rider 'comfort' setting.
In all, I covered about 20 miles on each bike, over some of the shittiest roads in Herts, including part of the A120 which was tar-maced in sections and between each section are ridges that really shake your fillings.
The 2009 ESA model seemed to calm down the ride over about 90% of the road surfaces, not a lot, but just noticeable to make it a viable option for additional comfort (I know there are other good reasons to have it!). Over the raised ridges the suspension did pretty poorly, bouncing the bike firmly in the air at 60mph and causing a 'f--king hell' sort of moment.
My manually adjusted non ESA GS was just slightly less smooth over 90% of the road surface but was certainly no worse over the 'f--king hell' ridges
So my conclusion is that the ESA suspension probably has a slightly better ability to give a more 'comfortable' ride until challenged at speed by the all too common pot holes and ridges. Under these circumstances it has no advantage whatsoever over the comfort of the standard GS.
I weight 12 stone, and manually set my 2007 GS suspension to factory recommended settings for single rider (second position on the front damper, rear preload fully in then 10 clicks out, and rear damping 1.5 turns out from the highest setting)
I then compared this with a 2009 GS, with ESA, set on single rider 'comfort' setting.
In all, I covered about 20 miles on each bike, over some of the shittiest roads in Herts, including part of the A120 which was tar-maced in sections and between each section are ridges that really shake your fillings.
The 2009 ESA model seemed to calm down the ride over about 90% of the road surfaces, not a lot, but just noticeable to make it a viable option for additional comfort (I know there are other good reasons to have it!). Over the raised ridges the suspension did pretty poorly, bouncing the bike firmly in the air at 60mph and causing a 'f--king hell' sort of moment.
My manually adjusted non ESA GS was just slightly less smooth over 90% of the road surface but was certainly no worse over the 'f--king hell' ridges
So my conclusion is that the ESA suspension probably has a slightly better ability to give a more 'comfortable' ride until challenged at speed by the all too common pot holes and ridges. Under these circumstances it has no advantage whatsoever over the comfort of the standard GS.
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
Not a horse:
Thats quite funny.
But on a more serious note on this line, there was a guy who was walking / running a load of horses from Moscow to Beijing and the intention was for it to be a stunt, arriving in time for the Olympics. Anyway, most of them died en-route and he turned up ~3 months late and missed the Olympics !!
So perhaps not as simple a solution as you suggest...
Stormbringer
Guest
The bike I have just taken delivery of has it ,so will be interesting how it performs.
gfspencer
Guest
I bought my 08 GS off the showroom floor. It came with both ESA and ASC. I've really enjoyed the ESA because I ride on all sorts of roads (dirt to interstate) but I never thought I would use the ASC. Last week I pulled out onto a highway and hit a patch of gravel in the process. The ASC kicked in and kept my back wheel from spinning out . . . and probably kept me from going down. I'm glad I have it now!
scotia_steve
Registered user
I was very dubious about buying a GS with ESA, but as I liked the low mileage bike I bought and it was on it I thought what the hell!
It's very useful here in Scotland. Quite often on a ride up to the Highlands, the roads change in surface from smooth A roads to bumpy B roads and back again. To change the suspension from sport to comfort works well with the ESA and it does help you adjust the ride to suit the conditions without pulling over, or to be honest not bothering.
The tech side is the only downfall as if the units go they are pricey to replace and I've had one replaced for a random split rubber grommet! New one is fine though. In the US there is a recall I believe for the GSA model, early 08 bikes.
Personally I find the most useful feature is that you can change for luggage by pressing a button and firming up the rear suspension. I never bothered on my previous bike but on this one it's so easy I do adjust the settings.
If you are realistically buying a GS for going round the world, I would buy a non ESA bike and an adventure. For a normal GS, it's a good addition and makes the riding experience overall more enjoyable...
It's very useful here in Scotland. Quite often on a ride up to the Highlands, the roads change in surface from smooth A roads to bumpy B roads and back again. To change the suspension from sport to comfort works well with the ESA and it does help you adjust the ride to suit the conditions without pulling over, or to be honest not bothering.
The tech side is the only downfall as if the units go they are pricey to replace and I've had one replaced for a random split rubber grommet! New one is fine though. In the US there is a recall I believe for the GSA model, early 08 bikes.
Personally I find the most useful feature is that you can change for luggage by pressing a button and firming up the rear suspension. I never bothered on my previous bike but on this one it's so easy I do adjust the settings.
If you are realistically buying a GS for going round the world, I would buy a non ESA bike and an adventure. For a normal GS, it's a good addition and makes the riding experience overall more enjoyable...
GSmiles
Registered user
To change the suspension from sport to comfort works well with the ESA
That is exactly the point of ESA...You can adjust the damping both front and rear, (as well as the preload and ride height). Without ESA you can only adjust the damping at the rear on tne standard GS set-up with manual preload adjustment front and rear. So with ESA in comfort mode, the front of the bike will absorb bumps much more gently, helping to make it easier to maintain control in rough conditions. That is why you can raise the ride height as well - to help prevent bashing the rocks with the sump while the sprngs are softly damped, like a real enduro bike....So, as well as offering comfort options while on the black stuff, ESA increases the range of terrains you can cope with off-road..I hope..I get my new ESA equipped GSA in two weeks time !
That is exactly the point of ESA...You can adjust the damping both front and rear, (as well as the preload and ride height). Without ESA you can only adjust the damping at the rear on tne standard GS set-up with manual preload adjustment front and rear. So with ESA in comfort mode, the front of the bike will absorb bumps much more gently, helping to make it easier to maintain control in rough conditions. That is why you can raise the ride height as well - to help prevent bashing the rocks with the sump while the sprngs are softly damped, like a real enduro bike....So, as well as offering comfort options while on the black stuff, ESA increases the range of terrains you can cope with off-road..I hope..I get my new ESA equipped GSA in two weeks time !
it's just occurred to me that i've never adjusted the front strut on my GS's ever. i just leave it set soft all the time, no matter what the load. feels fine in all conditions i've encountered.
i don't ever take it off road though, as i consider it a road bike
i don't ever take it off road though, as i consider it a road bike
Deleted account 211025001
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How much extra is ESA on a new bike?
Andres
Andres
