buttyboy
Registered user
Hi Guys looking for help with ordering new bike. can somebody give me honest answer as to order ESA or not and the actual difference in riding?
Thanks
Thanks
ESA or No ESA is that is the question?
- Thread starter buttyboy
- Start date
I reckon so
sven
Registered user
In my experience yes - the ESA bike has firmer suspension and damping and handles much better. It's also nice being able to adjust the preload quickly when SWMBO gets onboard or to adjust the damping to suit the road.
If you only ever ride one up, then you may be able to adjust the preload and damping on a non-ESA bike to your tastes, but I found the spring rate too soft with a pillion and luggage.
Can of worms that one!....
My '10 Gsa has it and I'm not convinced it's a great improvement other than it's easier to change settings more quickly (which I guess is the point of it!
), but I never thought changing it manually was much of a problem to be honest.
It's a good thing generally I guess, and the main plus seems to be convienence, plus they sell better later with it on.
The negative is it's expensive if it goes wrong.
Personally I think it's just down to how much you want it.
My '10 Gsa has it and I'm not convinced it's a great improvement other than it's easier to change settings more quickly (which I guess is the point of it!
), but I never thought changing it manually was much of a problem to be honest.It's a good thing generally I guess, and the main plus seems to be convienence, plus they sell better later with it on.
The negative is it's expensive if it goes wrong.
Personally I think it's just down to how much you want it.
Simon_h
Registered user
having got a 2010 GSA with ESA...I'd say don't bother but, then again, it depends on how you expect to use it.
I do 600 miles per week commuting to and from work with 2/3 of that on the motorway. I'll never carry a pillion and will rarely carry anything more than just a light bag in the top box. I find Sport unusable on our roads as minor imperfections upset the bike too much and there is not enough difference between Normal and Comfort to warrant the outlay. Obviously not having ESA will effect the resale value when you decide to sell the bike though.
I do 600 miles per week commuting to and from work with 2/3 of that on the motorway. I'll never carry a pillion and will rarely carry anything more than just a light bag in the top box. I find Sport unusable on our roads as minor imperfections upset the bike too much and there is not enough difference between Normal and Comfort to warrant the outlay. Obviously not having ESA will effect the resale value when you decide to sell the bike though.
littleredrooster
Registered user
If (like me) you frequently go from solo to pillion /with or without luggage, it's worthwhile for the sheer convenience of being able to just press a button and set the bike up completely differently.
My next one will have it.
My next one will have it.
snerkler
Registered user
Personal preference this one I think. I personally wouldn't be without it now as regularly swap between comfort/normal/sport during a ride depending on weather, road surface and what mood I'm in. It's great to be able to go for a blast in the twisties with it set to sport, then when I come back through Chesterfield or Sheffield where the road surface is particularly bad (you have to see it to believe it) I flick it into comfort and I don't end up with a spinal compression fracture. It would be a right royal pain in the arse to have to manually adjust compression and rebound several times during a ride.
Preload's not so much of an issue as you'd just tend to set this before you set off and leave it like that for that specific journey. But then again to be able to do that at the press of a button is handy for lazy sods like myself Also, with it being done electronically you know that you're always going to get it set the same.
Preload's not so much of an issue as you'd just tend to set this before you set off and leave it like that for that specific journey. But then again to be able to do that at the press of a button is handy for lazy sods like myself
Also, with it being done electronically you know that you're always going to get it set the same.
(RIP) Johno23
Registered user
For me a definite yes
That is because I regularly ride solo, alone with luggage and 2 up with luggage, so it is so easy to change the settings as required.
That is because I regularly ride solo, alone with luggage and 2 up with luggage, so it is so easy to change the settings as required.
YES
One of the best innovations in biking if you ever carry a pillon, or load up the bike.
One of the best innovations in biking if you ever carry a pillon, or load up the bike.
Hax
Registered user
Hi, also have a 10 gsa with ESA and l'd say get it!.
l find the different settings both noticeable & useful.
Most times l ride with it in "Normal 1 up" and sometimes/often
"Normal 1 up with luggage" = a bit! sportier.
"SPORT mode" sometimes on twisties but not often & not for long - mostly 'cause me arse ends up killing me! (but the seat's another story).
"Comfort mode" only on long haul/straight-ish legs OR when me arse is starting to kill me! l switch to comfort.
When l load it = 2 panniers,topbox,tourbag strapped accross seat & onto panniers = 2 up with luggage Normal or Comfort...all at the press of a button.
l took an 08 plate gsa for a 3 hour test ride (on roads l know well) before l ordered mine and found the difference noticeable in the settings when l played with it...so l ordered it "GET A TEST RIDE & TRY IT".
l know some people said on another thread here - "l dont notice much difference in the ESA"
, each to their own - l love it as l do the whole bike 
.
Depends how you use your bike l suppose, but even if its just you & never any luggage - think of it as a "mood menu" oooh!
try before you buy, good luck
l find the different settings both noticeable & useful.
Most times l ride with it in "Normal 1 up" and sometimes/often
"Normal 1 up with luggage" = a bit! sportier.
"SPORT mode" sometimes on twisties but not often & not for long - mostly 'cause me arse ends up killing me! (but the seat's another story).
"Comfort mode" only on long haul/straight-ish legs OR when me arse is starting to kill me! l switch to comfort.
When l load it = 2 panniers,topbox,tourbag strapped accross seat & onto panniers = 2 up with luggage Normal or Comfort...all at the press of a button.
l took an 08 plate gsa for a 3 hour test ride (on roads l know well) before l ordered mine and found the difference noticeable in the settings when l played with it...so l ordered it "GET A TEST RIDE & TRY IT".
l know some people said on another thread here - "l dont notice much difference in the ESA"
, each to their own - l love it as l do the whole bike . Depends how you use your bike l suppose, but even if its just you & never any luggage - think of it as a "mood menu" oooh!
try before you buy, good luck
Goose
Registered user
robjet
Registered user
yeap get it
wildbeeste
Registered user
I would say do not bother
Yes it changes the ride height and the softness/hardness but the bike handles just as well in sports mode one up as comfort mode two up with luggage.
I simply could not tell the difference and I ride reasonably quickly; it goes around corners with no fuss in every mode
It is a very expensive button to go wrong
It is entertaining playing with the modes at traffic lights
It will be easier to sell the bike afterwards with it but you will have paid a lot for that button upfront.
Yes it changes the ride height and the softness/hardness but the bike handles just as well in sports mode one up as comfort mode two up with luggage.
I simply could not tell the difference and I ride reasonably quickly; it goes around corners with no fuss in every mode
It is a very expensive button to go wrong
It is entertaining playing with the modes at traffic lights
It will be easier to sell the bike afterwards with it but you will have paid a lot for that button upfront.
thosoneill
Registered user
i reckon those who have opted for esa shall advocate its merits and those who opted out will spend the £645.00 on something else - i personally doubt that the fitment of esa will enhance the resale value - it may however help shift the bike when selling privately - the purists prefer being able to set the suspension manually - purely my opinion mind you 
The Nutter
Registered user
If you regularly take pillions, then it's a yes from me.
You are joking aren't you?
It's as wallowy and horrible as a very wallowy thing on comfort in the twisties (and that's just one up with luggage).
Heard of plenty of folk changing standard rear shocks for Ohlins or Wilbers to improve the ride or repalce a failed standard shock.
I would plan on doing 12k+ per annum & to keep the bike for 4/5 years minimum. Would ESA still be okay or need replacing before then.
Any feedback how ESA compares with the standard GS shocks in terms of in-service life and failures?
I would plan on doing 12k+ per annum & to keep the bike for 4/5 years minimum. Would ESA still be okay or need replacing before then.
Any feedback how ESA compares with the standard GS shocks in terms of in-service life and failures?
If you are a lazy so and so like me the ease of swapping when going solo to fully loaded is a real bonus.
the ease of swapping when going solo to fully loaded is a real bonus.
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