ESA Help on '05 RT

[Pat J]

I have a 55 plate RT with ESA but there is nothing in the owners handbook on how to use it. I press the button and it goes through Sport/Comfort/Normal and shows one helmet on the display. On others I have ridden it has shown two helmets for when I had the better half on the back.
How do I change mine to two helmets for when we both go out on the bike?
All help and advice appreciated as usual

 

[GSTourer]

If it's like my 2010 then you hold the ESA button in until the display flashes, then cycle through the options...however, you can only change from 1 to 2 helmets when the bike is stationary.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Have one of those

I just gave up on it, because I can never tell any difference between modes, so I just leave it in "wallow" mode since comfort comes first.
However, modes do change depending on whether you are in neutral stopped or in gear running. Try the mode button both ways, and you will discover you come up with different settings.
Myke

 

[casper]

Press and hold the switch until shows 2 helmets or 1 helmet and luggage symbol.
Bike should be running in neutral no weight on.

 

[GSTourer]

I just gave up on it, because I can never tell any difference between modes, so I just leave it in "wallow" mode since comfort comes first.
However, modes do change depending on whether you are in neutral stopped or in gear running. Try the mode button both ways, and you will discover you come up with different settings.
Myke

Same here..No difference whatsoever between Comfort/Normal/Sport

 

[Mr Bean]

Same here..No difference whatsoever between Comfort/Normal/Sport

Check that the stepper motor is running when cycling through the options. The boot that covers it on mine had been bodged and it was corroded.

You can't buy them from BMW without buying the whole shock assembly.

Wilbers make an aftermarket one for their shocks, I suspect that it will probably fit the standard one too. Revs will know.

 

[GSTourer]

Check that the stepper motor is running when cycling through the options. The boot that covers it on mine had been bodged and it was corroded.

You can't buy them from BMW without buying the whole shock assembly.

Wilbers make an aftermarket one for their shocks, I suspect that it will probably fit the standard one too. Revs will know.

Thanks for that, but I had it tested when I first bought the bike as I noticed it right away. The dealer I bought it from said all was OK as did the dealer I have it serviced at.

I intend to keep the bike so when the shocks eventually fail which with 23000 on the clock may not be all that long I will have them replaced with quality non ESA units.

As I only ever ride one up and sometimes with luggage it isn't too much of a chore to change it manually when needed.

 

[Nick Evans]

Engine running, in neutral, press and hold for a few seconds until it shows a helmet, 2 helmets or 2 helmets and a bag, then you can scroll through 3 different modes.

 

[kennyc]

Same here..No difference whatsoever between Comfort/Normal/Sport

try bouncing up and down on the bike while changing modes, you should feel the "bounce" go out of the shock as you go from comfort to normal to sport, if it doesn't either your shock is broke or you need to eat more

 

[Mr Bean]

Thanks for that, but I had it tested when I first bought the bike as I noticed it right away. The dealer I bought it from said all was OK as did the dealer I have it serviced at.

Mine came from a dealer too. With my inexperience I thought that as the preload was working the damping adjustment must also work - it didn't as I later found out.