ESA or not?

[TunturiSport]

There are some previous threads about this issue but they seem to have dried. So, the ESA system of the GS/GSA is getting more and more complex. More parts to break if you ask me. I am planning to buy a new GS or GSA after one oilhead and one DOHC-gs. I wonder if I should buy an ESA suspension or not. It is impossible to find a non-ESA bike for a test ride. I don't care about adjustments but I am interested to know if the shock absorbers (the hardware) of the non-ESA models are of equal quality compared with the ESA suspension. In the photos it seems that the non-ESA model does not have the oil reservoir in the rear shock absorber. Other important differences? If you have tested both an ESA and a non-ESA bike, please tell me your experience.

If I tick all the boxes when ordering a new GS/GSA the price here in Finland rises to 30 000 euros !!!

 

[autogs]

I have a non esa bike and it handles just fine thanks,i found the esa bikes (not the very latest i admit) harsh and there were problems it seemed with it not working correctly as posts here confirmed

 

[jetjock]

My ESA GS is great . Being able to adjust the suspension on the fly is got to be a bike designers dream .

Try it if you're not sure .

 

[M30SJM]

I agree, especially 2 up, when you come across a rough bit of road, being able to select soft is ace. I always found how i adjusted my shock on previous bikes was a compromise between comfort and high speed stability, with ESA i feel i have the best of both worlds
Stu

 

[jetjock]

I agree, especially 2 up, when you come across a rough bit of road, being able to select soft is ace. I always found how i adjusted my shock on previous bikes was a compromise between comfort and high speed stability, with ESA i feel i have the best of both worlds
Stu

+1

 

[Neil W]

My esa bike has been 3 years of niggles and problems save the money especially if the bike is being kept out of the 2 year warranty and then if the non esa shocks need replacing it will save you even more money

 

[leadfarmer]

I love ESA,

as said above adding preload for a pillion takes seconds and you can change the hardness on the move

Combined with the telelever it's fantastic

 

[MrMcNamara]

There are some previous threads about this issue but they seem to have dried. So, the ESA system of the GS/GSA is getting more and more complex. More parts to break if you ask me. I am planning to buy a new GS or GSA after one oilhead and one DOHC-gs. I wonder if I should buy an ESA suspension or not. It is impossible to find a non-ESA bike for a test ride. I don't care about adjustments but I am interested to know if the shock absorbers (the hardware) of the non-ESA models are of equal quality compared with the ESA suspension. In the photos it seems that the non-ESA model does not have the oil reservoir in the rear shock absorber. Other important differences? If you have tested both an ESA and a non-ESA bike, please tell me your experience.

If I tick all the boxes when ordering a new GS/GSA the price here in Finland rises to 30 000 euros !!!

Owned most boxers, all have different characters foibles My LC has All electronics, ESA invaluable to me, as I carry different loads regularly / alter settings to suit at the touch of a button - no going back for me!

 

[sven]

My esa bike has been 3 years of niggles and problems save the money especially if the bike is being kept out of the 2 year warranty and then if the non esa shocks need replacing it will save you even more money

What he said I wouldn't buy it again

 

[LBJ GSA]

There are some previous threads about this issue but they seem to have dried. So, the ESA system of the GS/GSA is getting more and more complex. More parts to break if you ask me. I am planning to buy a new GS or GSA after one oilhead and one DOHC-gs. I wonder if I should buy an ESA suspension or not. It is impossible to find a non-ESA bike for a test ride. I don't care about adjustments but I am interested to know if the shock absorbers (the hardware) of the non-ESA models are of equal quality compared with the ESA suspension. In the photos it seems that the non-ESA model does not have the oil reservoir in the rear shock absorber. Other important differences? If you have tested both an ESA and a non-ESA bike, please tell me your experience.

If I tick all the boxes when ordering a new GS/GSA the price here in Finland rises to 30 000 euros !!!

I've just ordered a GS with ESA. I would have been 100% happy with a non ESA to be honest, as I was totally happy with the suspension on my old oil/air cooled GS and the rear shock wheel for manual adjustment. The 'problem' is that to get hold of one, it is a 'special order' as no dealers will order them without ESA - and this generally means 6-8 weeks (or so they say!) I generally want the bike asap (within a week or so) so this was not an option when I bought my previous GSA and this new GS. I did see one recently at a UK dealer which (interestingly) was owned by a member of staff who had ordered one with no extras whatsoever. The residual / resale value will inevitably be a lot less as demand will be less for bikes without ESA, but I think (not sure) the suspension is just the same (just as plush) with the manual adjustment. When I bought the GSA, the sales person told me I would need to 'get the tools out' to adjust the shock (if I didn't buy ESA). This is BS! It's still the same easy to use wheel that was on the old GSs. I used to turn it a few positions when taking a passenger, but hardly needed to adjust it in 9 years! I think these bikes are getting too complicated with all the electronics, however, I must admit, gear shift pro and cruise control are worth having though. If you can wait, I reckon you should spec up the bike with just what you want.

 

[sven]

Mine's a "vanilla" bike, which is pretty unusual as nearly every GS LC I see is a TE (LED headlight). I didn't see the point in buying loads of options I didn't need, so ordered ESA, Dynamic Pro, panniers and a low seat I ordered in January 2014 and it took about 5 weeks. I could have bought a TE from stock at that time of year.

If I was buyin another, I'd buy the same again, but without ESA

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

ESA for me

Allows you to set the bike up on the move to suit the road or your mood.

 

[sven]

ESA for me

Allows you to set the bike up on the move to suit the road or your mood.

Until it goes wrong....

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Until it goes wrong....

I don't get this approach. I understand some folk prefer a basic bike which lets their talents do the riding.

Others, like myself, embrace the advances in technology which provide the rider with options to improve the journey.

Yes some have teething issues but ESA and adjustable engine modes are now the norm across most bikes.

 

[Toddmeister]

Based on my personal experiences so far I would say:

OE ESA: probably a bit better than OE manual shocks and works ok IF you like the settings BMW decide are right for you.

Wilbers ESA: better than OE ESA in that the spring rate is matched to your weight and there is a bit of manual adjustability built in on top of the electronic settings and can be serviced.

Well set up Wilbers or Ohlins manual system: Still the best by some way,especially if you get it set up by someone who knows what they're doing and you get remote preload adjustment on the rear.

Whilst ESA is more convenient, and it compensates for folk who haven't a clue how suspension works or should be adjusted, my big gripe is you are stuck with the BMW settings. If I put 10kgs luggage, or 40Kgs luggage the preload increase were the same. The damping adjustments of soft, medium and hard weren't great either.

On my new XR I've bought standard suspension and replaced with Wilbers set up by Revs. It works extremely well.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Based on my personal experiences so far I would say:

OE ESA: probably a bit better than OE manual shocks and works ok IF you like the settings BMW decide are right for you.

Wilbers ESA: better than OE ESA in that the spring rate is matched to your weight and there is a bit of manual adjustability built in on top of the electronic settings and can be serviced.

Well set up Wilbers or Ohlins manual system: Still the best by some way,especially if you get it set up by someone who knows what they're doing and you get remote preload adjustment on the rear.

Whilst ESA is more convenient, and it compensates for folk who haven't a clue how suspension works or should be adjusted, my big gripe is you are stuck with the BMW settings. If I put 10kgs luggage, or 40Kgs luggage the preload increase were the same. The damping adjustments of soft, medium and hard weren't great either.

On my new XR I've bought standard suspension and replaced with Wilbers set up by Revs. It works extremely well.

And that's a great summary

Having had ESA before, I would avoid in the future

 

[jetjock]

The test for me was riding the same piece of road on a standard bike and then one fitted with ESA back to back in the same afternoon . This was done over the mountain on S1000RR s and I couldn't believe how smoother the ESA was making the road .
Before this test I was totally against ESA , now I wouldn't buy a bike with out it , it's that good .

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

ESA if you change bike often ESA bikes have better residuals, non ESA if its a keeper less chance of future expensive problems, your choice

 

[CPJS]

I would buy second hand '13 to late '16 GS or a non ESA new one as I believe the new ESA to be a step backwards because of less adjustability.
My bike is a '17 GS TE lowered chassis. because I can no longer select solo rider plus luggage preload for French twisties riding I am grinding the side stand one side and the brake lever on the other. For damping I now have 2 settings 'pogo' similar to the old soft setting and hard, which does work very well on good roads. I used to ride the '14 bike in the med damping setting 90% of the time.
It feels to me that there is less preload on max compared to the old bike. I am not heavy enough to activate the auto preload as it seems no different to the min setting.
I will ask for to be checked at it's upcoming 6,000ml service.

 

[sven]

I don't get this approach. I understand some folk prefer a basic bike which lets their talents do the riding.

Others, like myself, embrace the advances in technology which provide the rider with options to improve the journey.

Yes some have teething issues but ESA and adjustable engine modes are now the norm across most bikes.

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