ESA Rear shock 2008 1200 GSA

[Bendy toy]

Can't argue with that. The standard shocks should at least be rebuild able.

An independent suspension specialist told me that many "sealed" shocks can be rebuilt. They must have a screw down end seal cover. He drilled the case to release gas pressure did the service work and fitted a new gas injection valve to regas the shock body.

 

[Time Traveller]

Its a bike designed to do mileage,not sit in a garage all shiny.
Why is it people think this sort of mileage is excesive,these bikes cost similar to a car.
Whatever you say suspension failure at 35k is piss poor.
Thanks to all those guys who have given me some usefull information to pursue.

I agree. My rear shock went (I mean really went, collapsed. and had get the breakdown truck to pick it up!) at 18000 miles, less than 80 miles after I bought it as a "Approved BMW" with a full BMW Used Warranty inspection and MOT.

Fortunately they did replace it under warranty.

I can tell you that my budget build Yamaha TDM900, did 35000 miles in three years and never missed a beat. I changed the fork oil as a routine thing, but that's all.

It is true as wrinkley owlie says, that changing the shocks every 30k will transform bike, but TBH it shouldn't be because of a "failure"

 

[Pukmeister]

Next time you are on a group ride out on A and B roads, take a brief glance at the bike in fronts swing arm/rear shock bouncing around, then consider how much abuse that is over 20,000 to 35,000 miles. To still work at all at those mileages is impressive enough, regardless of how much the damping may be less than a new one.

I do think the dealer price of the OEM units is very lucrative though.

 

[cookie]

I do think the dealer price of the OEM units is very lucrative though.

doesn't really matter though, as you'd have to be a bit clueless to buy an OEM shock for a BMW.

 

[Bendy toy]

Car makers can get away with heavy duty but average performing shocks. They only have to handle one corner at a time and as long as they dont patter too much, folks will keep driving.

Bike shocks have to be a lot more supple and need to be precison made as they have to control the whole back (or front) end of the vehicle. Its no surprise they are going off or leaking after 25K miles. But they shouldnt be failing as much as the BMW units do and they should be serviceable.

That's why Im going for Wilbers WESA when mine need replacing. Other than megaprice Ohlins they are the only option.

 

[Pukmeister]

they shouldnt be failing as much as the BMW units do and they should be serviceable.

That's why Im going for Wilbers WESA when mine need replacing. Other than megaprice Ohlins they are the only option.

Same here.

 

[MarkLS]

WESA - 09 R1200GS - Standard Height

09 1200GS, New to me February 2012 - full BMW service history - advisory in last service - Bahnstormer (19500 miles), slight leak in rear shock - replacement cost £1300 fitted, not today thanks.

Contacted BMW "care" who didn't want to know and told me "This is not a known issue and they wouldn't show any goodwill of any sort"

After reading the threads on here about Wilbers WESA system, I contacted John at REVS whilst waiting for a flight in Hong Kong on the Friday then ordered them with all my details (weight, type of riding, luggage etc) the following Monday - 2 weeks lead time from the factory then they would be ready for fitting..... fitting day just so happened to be the day we had Snow on the ground in Southampton, not the day for a 300 mile round trip to Halesowen.

Rebooked for yesterday arrived a little late due to fog, traffic, Lampf warning and a pit stop to warm up. Welcomed with a cup of tea then dropped off at Street Bike (Cafe and shop), met up with a friend and toured the coffee shops of Merry hill shopping centre.

John called at 1600 to say that things were pretty much finished so I headed back to REVS.

Another cup of Tea and a tour of the workshop, more like a kitchen than a workshop, very tidy.

Nick also sorted out my blown lamp which was useful as it would have been tricky getting home without that.

Initial impressions are that for me it has transformed the bike - I weigh around 105kg, 8kg of gear and occasional luggage. Far more engaging and less bouncy than before - I am unsure how degraded the rear shock was but there was a fair amount of oil that had leaked.

Front shock had a minor leak that i was prevously unaware of but I had already decided to change them as a pair - cost wise fitted cheaper than replacing rear shock with unservicable OEM part.

Amazing service from REVS - many thanks to John and Nick for making things so easy - "proper service"

Will write a bit more about the WESA once I have had chance to try them in a variety of conditions.

 

[Trekker3]

Just having my front ESA shock replaced this weekend, bike a 10 plate GSA with only 3800 easy miles on it, luckily under motorrads insured warranty, which is the 1st time I've taken any extra warranty on any previous bike owned. It's not ideal when it sprays oil on the front tyre.

 

[Time Traveller]

09 1200GS, New to me February 2012 - full BMW service history - advisory in last service - Bahnstormer (19500 miles), slight leak in rear shock - replacement cost £1300 fitted, not today thanks.

Contacted BMW "care" who didn't want to know and told me "This is not a known issue and they wouldn't show any goodwill of any sort"

After reading the threads on here about Wilbers WESA system, I contacted John at REVS whilst waiting for a flight in Hong Kong on the Friday then ordered them with all my details (weight, type of riding, luggage etc) the following Monday - 2 weeks lead time from the factory then they would be ready for fitting..... fitting day just so happened to be the day we had Snow on the ground in Southampton, not the day for a 300 mile round trip to Halesowen.

Rebooked for yesterday arrived a little late due to fog, traffic, Lampf warning and a pit stop to warm up. Welcomed with a cup of tea then dropped off at Street Bike (Cafe and shop), met up with a friend and toured the coffee shops of Merry hill shopping centre.

John called at 1600 to say that things were pretty much finished so I headed back to REVS.

Another cup of Tea and a tour of the workshop, more like a kitchen than a workshop, very tidy.

Nick also sorted out my blown lamp which was useful as it would have been tricky getting home without that.

Initial impressions are that for me it has transformed the bike - I weigh around 105kg, 8kg of gear and occasional luggage. Far more engaging and less bouncy than before - I am unsure how degraded the rear shock was but there was a fair amount of oil that had leaked.

Front shock had a minor leak that i was prevously unaware of but I had already decided to change them as a pair - cost wise fitted cheaper than replacing rear shock with unservicable OEM part.

Amazing service from REVS - many thanks to John and Nick for making things so easy - "proper service"

Will write a bit more about the WESA once I have had chance to try them in a variety of conditions.

Mine went at 19000, replaced under warranty (mind you I had the bike from Cannon BMW as an approved warranty bike, and had ridden it less than 150 miles) It would have been a court case if they hadn't!

 

[paulhull]

My rear ESA shock was found to be leaking when I took the bike in for it's service when it was just coming up to three years old and at about 24k miles. Fortunately I had bought the third year warranty and it was sorted by the dealer straight away, the only cost to me being a £100 excess. So good and bad news regarding reliability and customer service really. At the same time I pointed out some minor corrosion on the finsih of one cylinder head and BMW replaced both so I was pleased with that.

 

[blues n twos]

I had my rear shock replaced a couple of weeks back. 2008 GSA with 16K on it but thankfully as it was an approved used bike from NOG bmw it was all done FOC under warranty.

£1034 plus vat plus fitting otherwise

 

[rudiemoto]

The oem esa is serviceable
We have sorted 4 this year and number is awaiting seal kit
We use kais
The last esa was for a chap who was in the man size type 24 stone
So we fitted a bigger spring