ESA On The Move

[SHORTY]

Does anyone know if there is a way of adjusting the suspension on the move. The hand book and dealer say it can not be done but if you can adjust the damping on the move then there must be a way or a softwear setting.Or is just me that would find it usefull.

 

[blobbs]

Don't think so. It's like the oil level check = only works when you are stationary

 

[Brooner]

Depends on what you mean by adjusting.
You can cycle between comfort, normal and sport on the move, but you cant adjust the preload settings - ie rider only, rider & luggage, 2 up with luggage.

 

[wilbjr21]

Does anyone know if there is a way of adjusting the suspension on the move. The hand book and dealer say it can not be done but if you can adjust the damping on the move then there must be a way or a softwear setting.Or is just me that would find it usefull.

You can't adjust the ride height on the move. As you know the engine must be running because of the current needed to operate the servo motors and the bike must be stationary.

The stationary bit will be because some tw*t will fall off and blame the bike being unsettled during the height change (which could happen).

I wouldn't find it particularly useful on the move - only if I'd put the wife on the back and forgotten to adjust it before we set off.

 

[claw]

- only if I'd put the wife on the back and forgotten to adjust it before we set off.

Which is what i keep doing

At least its changed with the press of a button after coming to a brief stop, unlike other bikes where its off the bike to adjust the preload with an adjuster that you have to get out of the tool kit under the seat.

 

[SHORTY]

Thanks lads but i still want to be able to adjust the spring rate on the move. If its there i want the option, after all i think i am a grown up. and all the hard work and technology is already there??

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Depends on what you mean by adjusting.
You can cycle between comfort, normal and sport on the move, but you cant adjust the preload settings - ie rider only, rider & luggage, 2 up with luggage.

-1 thats all you can do Why would you want to change the height while moving?

 

[mpgscott]

I’m able to change ride height when moving, so it’s not a change in software so must be something up with mine. Works perfectly but I can make all the changes at any speed. So two up or mountain height it all changes and you feel it..

Any ideas?

 

[Jon P]

The stepper motors that adjust the spring preload are not able to operate when you are riding because they are not powerful enough to reliably operate against a dynamic load, ie; with the bike riding along there are significant loads pushing against the spring. The manual suggests that the preload shouldn’t be adjusted with two people on board or in cold weather for the same reason. You can however adjust the spring damping whilst riding. Further, there’s no reason the be able to adjust the spring preload whilst riding, the later bikes have dynamic damping adjustment which uses a magnetic field to effectively alter the viscosity of the metal impregnated damping oil. The rate of spring compression is measured and a magnetic field applied in response to continually change the damping but not the spring preload. The latest 1300 has the option of raising and lowering the ride height when moving away and subsequently slowing down again but that’s just a feature to please those of shorter stature.

 

[mpgscott]

The stepper motors that adjust the spring preload are not able to operate when you are riding because they are not powerful enough to reliably operate against a dynamic load, ie; with the bike riding along there are significant loads pushing against the spring. The manual suggests that the preload shouldn’t be adjusted with two people on board or in cold weather for the same reason. You can however adjust the spring damping whilst riding. Further, there’s no reason the be able to adjust the spring preload whilst riding, the later bikes have dynamic damping adjustment which uses a magnetic field to effectively alter the viscosity of the metal impregnated damping oil. The rate of spring compression is measured and a magnetic field applied in response to continually change the damping but not the spring preload. The latest 1300 has the option of raising and lowering the ride height when moving away and subsequently slowing down again but that’s just a feature to please those of shorter stature.

Mine is definetly adjusting, i started yesterday on 1 helmet, then after a few miles and moving along swiftly i swapped upto two large hill symbol and i can feel it chance as the angle of my knees come up plus whe i stop its a stretch and on tip toes and im 6"3. Its weird and i will just not change until stopped just to be safe side and not cause any damage as you explain the reason that it needs to be stopped.

Thanks for the thoughts, i would think its determined by some speed sensor. So not sure if there are more than one speed sensor as the speedo is working fine.

 

[Fifth Horseman]

Late reply but here goes -
As you can adjust the suspension preload with the bike moving, can you also adjust it with the engine off and doed the dipped headlight come on as soon as the ignition is switched on?
If so then the bike has been left in "showroom mode" after programming of the ZFE. I found this the hard way after having a play with the "official" diagnostic kit. DOnt know if it can be cancelled with either the GS911 or MotoScan.

 

[mpgscott]

Late reply but here goes -
As you can adjust the suspension preload with the bike moving, can you also adjust it with the engine off and doed the dipped headlight come on as soon as the ignition is switched on?
If so then the bike has been left in "showroom mode" after programming of the ZFE. I found this the hard way after having a play with the "official" diagnostic kit. DOnt know if it can be cancelled with either the GS911 or MotoScan.

Ok, so is it a dealer visit to get it out of ‘showroom’ mode?

I’m sure my headlight comes on as soon as the key is turned.

 

[Fifth Horseman]

If you have access to a hacked copy of the BMW ISTA software and a suitable interface you can do it yourself (I found the hardest part was getting a generic K+DCAN interface reliably connect to the bike). If you have a GS911 it would be worth reaching out to the Hexcode guys to see if they can help.
Otherwise unfortunately it's a job for a dealer or someone with the relevant kit.
Other than the headlight and removing the inhibit on adjusting the ESA preload when the engine is not running/not in neutral I don't think it has any other effects on the bikes functioning.

 

[botus]

the less weight on the unit when the little motor is trying to wind up a spring, the longer it will last - so do it on the stand it will live long enough to make a oil and gas refurb - keep doing it laden, and worse maybe as a massive bump throws three times the load the motor was ever meant to cope with and....