ESA Rear shock 2008 1200 GSA

[Bendy toy]

When my rear shock(s) fails I plan to fit WESA. TBH the (standard BMW) difference between Sport/Normal/Comfort is minimal and the ride is about adequate.

Ive ridden an Aprilia Pegaso 650 with a Wilbers back shock and its amazingly smooth yet sure footed. Its not ESA of course, but all that is added equipment. The shock underneath is the same quality (tuned to suit the bike and rider of course).

Update from Revs Racing.
The BMW shocks are NOT rebuildable - my error (sorry). He says they are welded so cant be stripped and TBH not good quality. He also says they are really variable in performance. Some will be kicking back over bumpy roads at 5000 miles others go for 25,000 miles. Some have poor rebound damping from new. They'll feel ok on A roads and M-ways but go anywhere bumpy and they kick back like a pogo stick (my words).

I would like to have a Wilbers unit fitted, but mine is adequate for now as Im doing mostly M-ways at the moment so the £600+ cost can wait a while.

 

[rossi46]

Just been in for a service, 2009 GSA, 10k miles, rear shock leaking. £1150 + fitting making it around £1250 !!!! Thank god I took the extended warranty.
I was told that the extended warranty covers shocks up to 30k miles, after that you're on your own

 

[jbodin]

Just been in for a service, 2009 GSA, 10k miles, rear shock leaking. £1150 + fitting making it around £1250 !!!! Thank god I took the extended warranty.
I was told that the extended warranty covers shocks up to 30k miles, after that you're on your own

yes I have heard 30k limit on shocks.Says it all doesn't it, BMW are admiting 30k is the best you can expect.
Thanks to everyone for your help and advice,now heading into the Wanted Section !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bendy toy]

The previous owner of my bike had a new shock under warranty at about 25K. Its now got 37K so the clock there's a tickin.

 

[APE]

Forget the ESA and upgrade to secondhand ohlins or wilbers

 

[Bendy toy]

I dont know how reliable the ESA motors are but there do seem to be few complaints about them compared to the actual shocks. In the case of Wilbers they replace only the shock and spring. The bike's original ESA gubbins are transferred to the new shock. I havent asked but assume there will be a labour saving but not very much over the cost of transferring the equipment over.

I had a used WP (Dutch made) emulsion shock on my previous bike. It was great for a while but the damping eventually failed. But it was rebuildable so no worries. Wrong. It came back as stiff as a very stiff thing. I might as well have welded up the swing arm. I complained but was told it had been done to spec.

So you could go out and buy a used shock and still have problems when its rebuilt. I would guess a Wilbers is less likely to end up like my WP as they effectively build them in Birmingham, but a rebuild is another cost and hassle to add to the costs of a used shock.

Another option is Hagon. They design and build shocks and do a rebuild service. I dont know if they have a HESA option.

 

[APE]

I regularly have my ohlins serviced - £100 a pop and they come back like new every time - the rear has leaked on one occasion and they fixed it no problem.

 

[Bendy toy]

I regularly have my ohlins serviced - £100 a pop and they come back like new every time - the rear has leaked on one occasion and they fixed it no problem.

Sorry, I'm not meaning to dis the servicing of bike shocks. But when buying a used shock the cost needs to be factored in. Service for my WP cost £100 plus the hassle of getting it off the bike, to/from the service agent, refitting, etc.

Buying a used original BMW (ESA) shock is false economy because they cant be rebuilt. Though it could be handy as spares for the ESA gubbins,

 

[Beemerman59]

To maintain the 5 year warranty on the WESA shocks they have to be serviced every 2 years. I think its about £100 for both front and rear IIRC, plus the hassle of taking them off and posting them to Revs. Not sure how I'm going to proceed with that yet - I might just leave it, forget the warranty and have them rebuilt (for not much more than the service costs) if and when there's a problem.

 

[Bendy toy]

The WP I had rebuilt had been left too long. The oil was sludge and valve parts were worn (shims apparently). Not using the correct parts is probably why it came back rock hard. To be fair it was an old model.

A quick Google pulled up these
http://www.edmondson-racing.co.uk/shockservice.html
http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/suspension_services.htm

 

[Mr Bean]

If any RT owners out there have a leaking rear ESA unit with a working preload motor I'd be interested in hearing from them.

I have a WESA rear and my preload motor is knackered.

 

[Larton'GS'er]

So we've gone from front shocks to servicing costs in a flash. If you think that's expensive, you perhaps should have bought a Honda VFR and asked the dealer for a price for a 16000 mile service where the valves are done...or a Ducati belt change at 12000. That's expensive!

If ya can't afford to run it, don't buy the fekkin' thing in the first place!

Thanks for the ticking off! I actually thought that these forums were here to help fellow owners and maybe, just maybe, endeavour to hold down the costs of running our bikes. My reference to the servicing costs was to further illustrate the high labour rates on top of top heavy prices for parts which I think was the original reason for the thread in the first place.
I don't want to own a VFR or Ducati, I like my BMW!! And I like to ride as many miles as possible which tends to be proportional to the £'s in my pocket and not in the pockets of wealthy dealerships.

 

[jbodin]

Thanks for the ticking off! I actually thought that these forums were here to help fellow owners and maybe, just maybe, endeavour to hold down the costs of running our bikes. My reference to the servicing costs was to further illustrate the high labour rates on top of top heavy prices for parts which I think was the original reason for the thread in the first place.
I don't want to own a VFR or Ducati, I like my BMW!! And I like to ride as many miles as possible which tends to be proportional to the £'s in my pocket and not in the pockets of wealthy dealerships.

Very well said,there are as you say some who can't resist picking up on any issue and stiring up confrontation.
For me,I must say lots of usefull information has been given,and I would like to thank those who have made a sensible contribution.
The issue of the failed unit has now been resolved,and I wish to thank the assistance of Clarks BMW who have stood by me and helped with this issue.
I have always used this dealership,and my loyalty has paid off. Thanks to John.
For me this thread is now closed.Thanks

 

[oldnfat]

Thanks for the ticking off! I actually thought that these forums were here to help fellow owners and maybe, just maybe, endeavour to hold down the costs of running our bikes. My reference to the servicing costs was to further illustrate the high labour rates on top of top heavy prices for parts which I think was the original reason for the thread in the first place.
I don't want to own a VFR or Ducati, I like my BMW!! And I like to ride as many miles as possible which tends to be proportional to the £'s in my pocket and not in the pockets of wealthy dealerships.

Well said.

 

[Bendy toy]

The rear ESA shock on my GSA was replaced under warranty at about 28K miles. I bought the bike showing 33.5K and it now has 37.5K so that shock has coming up to 10K under it.

My brother's (new to him) GSA has 16K miles on the clock but it's been cosseted so the engine is still tight and the rear shock is stiff. He's giving it a good riding to free it up and the rear shock seems to be improving as well.

 

[Wrinkly]

Change the shocks on any 30k mile bike and it will transform the handling.

Don't care what make the shocks are, at 30k they're past their best.

Same goes for your car.

Steve

 

[Bendy toy]

When mine does go its getting a Wilbers WESA at least on the back. Front as well if funds allow.

 

[dakarDude]

Well, Im at 24,000 miles on my 09' GSA and Saturday the little feck kicked me in the teeth with a leaking shock.

So thats a bike that was bought brand spanker in 09' and has hardly done that much mileage and the rear shock has gone and the final drive went last year.

I took the bike to Jono @ Adventure Bike Warehouse on Saturday so Jono is sorting this out for me.

Can't say Im overly impressed with how short a life the thing has had if I'm honest.

 

[Bendy toy]

I suspect that any rear shock is about done at 30K miles. Even if not leaking it wont be doing its job properly.

The original rear shock on my 900 Yamaha wasnt leaking at 30K miles but it was handling badly and kicking back over bumps. A new replacement was something daft like £500. I went for a used (Dutch) WP that failed after 10K and was ruined by the rebuild service I used. After that I put up with used Yamaha shocks. They didnt handle very well but were cheap on a cheap bike

TBH Hagon at £300 or Wilbers at £400 (both offer extras like hydraulic preload) would have been better options. Both are rebuildable/serviceable at reasonable costs.

 

[jbodin]

Well, Im at 24,000 miles on my 09' GSA and Saturday the little feck kicked me in the teeth with a leaking shock.

So thats a bike that was bought brand spanker in 09' and has hardly done that much mileage and the rear shock has gone and the final drive went last year.

I took the bike to Jono @ Adventure Bike Warehouse on Saturday so Jono is sorting this out for me.

Can't say Im overly impressed with how short a life the thing has had if I'm honest.

Well,Iv'e had the new rear ESA fitted,and yes you can tell the difference,the bikes like new.
Whatever others may say,I still think these should last longer than they do,and the cost to replace is alarming. The bike is supposedly a top quality product.
Unstoppable GS !!!!!!!!!!!11