ESA and seat height on a 2010 GSA

[GS_or_bust]

I spent a large part of this weekend at Coopers Tunbridge Wells hanging around the new bikes. This is because I have ordered my first BMW, an 2010 GSA in grey.

I asked one of the salesmen if he could show me the ESA settings and the seat height adjustment. Now I should point out that I am 5-11 with a 32in inside leg and on the skinny side. On the GSA in showroom I could just get my heels down if I put most of my weight on the seat.

He fired up the GSA demonstrator outside and selected the off road setting (you can see the bike rise slightly after a few seconds) and I got him to put the seat on the higher setting. I tried to get on the bike but it just felt much too tall. So it's probably the low setting for me.

We then put the seat back to the lower setting. I could now get on the bike but found that I was not strong enough to lift the bike off the side stand. The problem is that when the suspension is raised in the off road setting, the bike leans over further before the side stand touches down. This makes a real difference to how much effort it takes to get the bike upright.

So what have I learnt from this? I think I need to go to the gym over the next few weeks before my bike arrives or I have paid for more ESA settings than I can use. Also, I'll buy a side stand foot that reduces the lean angle on the side stand.

Last summer I put about 500 miles on a friends KTM 950 so I've had some experience of riding a tall bike but the GSA is a step up in weight. I sometimes wonder whether I would be more suited to the GS but I just love the look of the GSA.

 

[karlp]

Just remember you do not have to fill the tank up completely. This reduces the weight. The demo bike may have been full of fuel

 

[Magwych]

Just remember you do not have to fill the tank up completely. This reduces the weight. The demo bike may have been full of fuel

Not at Coopers

 

[Big Red]

If you set the ESA to the 'off road' setting just set it to rider only setting before you place it on the side stand.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Think about it with a full fuel tank, full loaded luggage and a pillion...............then you'll really struggle..................that's why most of us are lardy tossers

 

[tommygun]

Do what I do: Take a hurdle-like running jump onto the bike and the momentum will get her upright.

 

[elk]

What is the "off-road" setting? The bike i test-rode had comfort, normal and sport settings.

 

[Yonkyo]

Vertically challenged lardy Tosser, with ESA on Enduro setting = ooops

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[Deleted Member I]

Think about it with a full fuel tank, full loaded luggage and a pillion...............then you'll really struggle..................that's why most of us are lardy tossers

ahem ...


Not ALL OF US ARE LARDY OR TALL

 

[Bingham Dave]

What is the "off-road" setting? The bike i test-rode had comfort, normal and sport settings.

Elk, that's just the damping settings, you can also adjust the spring pre-load for one up, two up, luggage etc. as well as off road settings. These can only be done while the bike is stationary which is probably why you didn't spot them.

 

[webbel]

press down on your right footpeg as you lift ...makes it easier

 

[GreatScott]

Would a low seat like this help ?

http://www.touratech.com/shops/008/...=7639&osCsid=eeb515d55bc53013872958f7bc9cfa26

 

[Dave The Driver]

Vertically challenged lardy Tosser, with ESA on Enduro setting = ooops

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-F28Ae7z9Og&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-F28Ae7z9Og&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

That made me

 

[Wapping]

I spent a large part of this weekend at Coopers Tunbridge Wells hanging around the new bikes. This is because I have ordered my first BMW, an 2010 GSA in grey.

I asked one of the salesmen if he could show me the ESA settings and the seat height adjustment. Now I should point out that I am 5-11 with a 32in inside leg and on the skinny side. On the GSA in showroom I could just get my heels down if I put most of my weight on the seat.

He fired up the GSA demonstrator outside and selected the off road setting (you can see the bike rise slightly after a few seconds) and I got him to put the seat on the higher setting. I tried to get on the bike but it just felt much too tall. So it's probably the low setting for me.

We then put the seat back to the lower setting. I could now get on the bike but found that I was not strong enough to lift the bike off the side stand. The problem is that when the suspension is raised in the off road setting, the bike leans over further before the side stand touches down. This makes a real difference to how much effort it takes to get the bike upright.

So what have I learnt from this? I think I need to go to the gym over the next few weeks before my bike arrives or I have paid for more ESA settings than I can use. Also, I'll buy a side stand foot that reduces the lean angle on the side stand.

Last summer I put about 500 miles on a friends KTM 950 so I've had some experience of riding a tall bike but the GSA is a step up in weight. I sometimes wonder whether I would be more suited to the GS but I just love the look of the GSA.

Are you some sort of girl?

Look at the drivel you have typed out.

You have ordered the bike after a weekend of kicking around a dealer's but now you don't think you can manage it? Well, ring Coopers and tell them you are a big Jessie and wish you has thought about the hight of the bike before you parted with thousands of pounds to buy the bloody thing.

Failing that. Bury your discomfort and try riding it instead of noncing around or swap it for a KTM 950 or a scooter.

Sweet Jesus, what do you want to be told? That, "You'll get used to it" or "You will die" ? Both of those answers are probably as valid as the other. Time - and you growing up - will tell.

 

[GS_or_bust]

Not a cry for help

Are you some sort of girl?

Look at the drivel you have typed out.

You have ordered the bike after a weekend of kicking around a dealer's but now you don't think you can manage it? Well, ring Coopers and tell them you are a big Jessie and wish you has thought about the hight of the bike before you parted with thousands of pounds to buy the bloody thing.

Failing that. Bury your discomfort and try riding it instead of noncing around or swap it for a KTM 950 or a scooter.

Sweet Jesus, what do you want to be told? That, "You'll get used to it" or "You will die" ? Both of those answers are probably as valid as the other. Time - and you growing up - will tell.

Thanks Wapping, taking no prisoners as usual. I actually ordered the bike last November after kicking tyres for the best part of two years whilst I persuaded my wife it would be a 'safe' past time.

I posted this info to give my impressions of seat height, I didn't intend it to come across as a cry for help.

Once the bike arrives I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

P.S It's good to see I'm not the only one who can't spell height (nice of the mod to correct my error in the original title).

 

[Wapping]

Thanks Wapping, taking no prisoners as usual. I actually ordered the bike last November after kicking tyres for the best part of two years whilst I persuaded my wife it would be a 'safe' past time.

I posted this info to give my impressions of seat height, I didn't intend it to come across as a cry for help.

Once the bike arrives I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

P.S It's good to see I'm not the only one who can't spell height (nice of the mod to correct my error in the original title).

.... Excellent .... Not so much of a Jessie after all.

Nice spot on height, too

I'm sure you will enjoy the bike as a safe pastime. Look forward to hearing how you get on

 

[GS_or_bust]

I can see a game of spell check tennis developing here.

 

[wheelnut]

32" inside leg? That's three more than me and I can still manage a fully fuelled, fully loaded and pillioned GSA.


Touch & go at times tho....

 

[pathfinder]

32" inside leg? That's three more than me and I can still manage a fully fuelled, fully loaded and pillioned GSA.


Touch & go at times tho....

Yea lad,but yer have ter understand they dont mek bikers like they use to.