ESA or not?

[Neil W]

I loved it on my 2009 GS and 2012 RT, but it was problematic on my 2014 GS LC from the start and it eventually failed last year. Luckily Alan Jefferies had logged my complaint whilst the bike was still under warranty and fitted a replacement rear shock FOC, but it's still erratic at times e.g. harsh damping at low speed after riding at high speed

Mine has been the same , but having come from Hyperpro equiped 1150gs and then an r1200gsa tc with Maxton kit fitted every bike I have ridden fitted with ESA all felt harsh including older r1200rt's a couple of r1200r tc's, two r1200gs lc models and worst of all the three r1200gsa lc models.
Until BMW make the system programmable to individual rider weights it will never perform as well as a non esa model with good quality aftermarket shocks.

 

[octatonic]

Do you care about resale?

 

[jetjock]

Do you care about resale?

I do .

 

[Neil W]

I do .

So do I but was still offered below £9000 in part ex on a less than 2 year old immaculate sub 10000 miles top of the range R1200 GSA LC that cost over £15,500.
Would have been better off buying a basic

 

[TunturiSport]

Let me explain the background of my original question. I live in eastern Finland and often visit the russian countryside where the roads are terrible but the people are friendly. I have had three gs's and they have been 100 % reliable under these demanding conditions. By the next, now water cooled bmw I intend to go further to the east, perhaps up to Vladivostok. So I want reliability first of all. That is why I tend to think that the non-ESA may be my choice.

Lähetetty minun SM-A300FU laitteesta Tapatalkilla

 

[nathanthepostman]

I own a ESA equipped bike and always thought I'd prefer a standard set up, but then rode one and changed my mind. I missed the easy adjustability and I didn't think the ride quality was as good. As to a reliable bike for going all the way east, I'd probably look at a Super Tenere as well/instead.

 

[jetjock]

I own a ESA equipped bike and always thought I'd prefer a standard set up, but then rode one and changed my mind. I missed the easy adjustability and I didn't think the ride quality was as good. As to a reliable bike for going all the way east, I'd probably look at a Super Tenere as well/instead.

The ESA bikes certainly seem to float along compared to the standard , which is inevitable when the electronics are adjusting the settings every second to suit the road , and I reckon the ST setup is probably a Sachs setup just like the GS or very similar.