They would notice 'cos they're driving/riding right at the limit, in/on an ulta high performance machine and on a track that's infinitely more regular than the average road. I doubt if anyone on a GS does that.
ESA setting with empty luggage
- Thread starter 2000DXP
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They would notice 'cos they're driving/riding right at the limit, in/on an ulta high performance machine and on a track that's infinitely more regular than the average road. I doubt if anyone on a GS does that.
2000DXP
Registered user
Ok, cool.
I think I will spend more time trying different settings and paying more attention to the feel rather than being dictated to by a graphic on the computer.
Toad,
This is exactly the two differences I use. Two up with luggage and setting the ESA to "two up with luggage" fixes the bike height back to being as if I am riding solo. I then have to drop it back when unloaded so that it is not just that little bit too tall. This scenario is fine and I get it because the feel of the bike fully loaded and then unloaded is very different. I just want to explore the solo riding settings a bit more.
Thanks again all.
Dave
I think I will spend more time trying different settings and paying more attention to the feel rather than being dictated to by a graphic on the computer.
Toad,
This is exactly the two differences I use. Two up with luggage and setting the ESA to "two up with luggage" fixes the bike height back to being as if I am riding solo. I then have to drop it back when unloaded so that it is not just that little bit too tall. This scenario is fine and I get it because the feel of the bike fully loaded and then unloaded is very different. I just want to explore the solo riding settings a bit more.
Thanks again all.
Dave
2000DXP
Registered user
Yeah, I suppose. It was probably a bit of an extreme example I used, but I have read countless articles in bike magazines that say they turned a couple of clicks on the shock and the bike was transformed. They would typically be riding bike like Honda Hornets or kawasaki z1000.
Regards,
Dave
If I might make a suggestion, since you're close to being the same size and stature as me.
If you're riding solo with empty luggage, the main difference between the solo and solo + luggage settings on preload is that the bike will effect a slightly faster rate of turn on the + luggage setting. This can be useful if you're an agressive rider and like to really scratch. A bit of weight in the luggage will bring the rear of the bike down a bit and slow the steering down again, so if you want a faster rate of turn solo + full luggage go to the rider + passenger preload setting.
For damping settings, I only ever use Comfort around town. It's good for cobbled streets and the expansion joints on bridges. I know some people use it for motorway riding but I find it makes the bike just too wallowy and I don't ride much on motorways, anyway.
Normal is good for twisty, bumpy roads which are my preferred routes.
Sport is best reserved for smooth, fast A roads. I find it's too hard for my favourite goat tracks.
HTH
If you're riding solo with empty luggage, the main difference between the solo and solo + luggage settings on preload is that the bike will effect a slightly faster rate of turn on the + luggage setting. This can be useful if you're an agressive rider and like to really scratch. A bit of weight in the luggage will bring the rear of the bike down a bit and slow the steering down again, so if you want a faster rate of turn solo + full luggage go to the rider + passenger preload setting.
For damping settings, I only ever use Comfort around town. It's good for cobbled streets and the expansion joints on bridges. I know some people use it for motorway riding but I find it makes the bike just too wallowy and I don't ride much on motorways, anyway.
Normal is good for twisty, bumpy roads which are my preferred routes.
Sport is best reserved for smooth, fast A roads. I find it's too hard for my favourite goat tracks.
HTH
casperfelix
Registered user
I was always told I'd go blind unless I stopped playing with it so much ................... or was that about another bad habit?
If you find your rear tyres last 12K miles I will bet a weeks worth of beer vouchers that you won't notice much difference between the settings. If however, you find you're getting 4K per rear than the odds will be somewhat different 
p.s I'm getting 5K on Roadsmarts
p.s I'm getting 5K on Roadsmarts Simon_h
Registered user
if you do a search you'll find half the forum saying they can't feel the difference between the modes and the other half saying the modes are like chalk and cheese (mostly to justify to themselves the cost). If you don't weigh much, I doubt you'll notice the difference.
I only use the luggage setting when I'm carrying serious amounts of stuff in the luggage (ie trips on the continent).
I only use the luggage setting when I'm carrying serious amounts of stuff in the luggage (ie trips on the continent).
2000DXP
Registered user
Hi Schtum,
Thanks for the info, I will test the different setting over the next few weeks on different road types and see what works.
Can I assume that the expansion joints you refer to are the ones in the Forth Bridge. I was visiting my Bro in Dunfermline late last year and the expansion joints in the Forth Bridge could do with mini bridges to get over them.
Can I assume that the expansion joints you refer to are the ones in the Forth Bridge. I was visiting my Bro in Dunfermline late last year and the expansion joints in the Forth Bridge could do with mini bridges to get over them.
Spot on
Sitting here, if I rotate my head 90 deg to the right and look out of the front windows, I can see that very edifice.2000DXP
Registered user
If you find your rear tyres last 12K miles I will bet a weeks worth of beer vouchers that you won't notice much difference between the settings. If however, you find you're getting 4K per rear than the odds will be somewhat different
Well I have only had the bike since March last year and only did one trip to Scotland. But that was on the Squared Off Metzelers that it came with. I have just put BattleWings on fresh two weeks ago so will be able to see from new tyres.
My last bike was a VFR 800 with Avons and they felt quite hard and lasted ages. They were still good when I sold the bike so I think you will be right about that.
why would you want to keep the panniers on the bike if their empty ?
topbox yes but panniers
topbox yes but panniers
why would you want to keep the panniers on the bike if their empty ?
topbox yes but panniers
So that you can put stuff in the panniers when you're out and about. You can't do that if they're not on the bike.
Blobby
Registered user
I'm 100kg, 6ft, 2ins, ride mainly with empty Ali panniers and set ESA at rider + luggage. Use Comfort when bringing wine home in panniers. Normal as default and Sport when I want to pick up the pace a bit...but it's still quite soft. Just play with all the setting options to find what you like. As others have said, your won't break it and it won't throw you off just for experimenting with the settings. It's a great system once you get used to using it
Blobby
Registered user
So that you can put stuff in the panniers when you're out and about. You can't do that if they're not on the bike.
Totally agree. I just leave them on as they make no difference to how the bike handles, marginal difference to mpg that it's not worth worrying about and they are so handy when you decide to do some shopping or whatever as they hold loads. My top box sits on a shelf for when I take a pillion.
OH NO this will run and run,and run
why would you want to keep the panniers on the bike if their empty ?
topbox yes but panniers
Yeah but you'd have to put that in closed containers. It'd just fall out of those cartons and roll around inside the panniers like that.
Yeah but he would be able to take his panniers up into his hotel room and enjoy his snack infront of the telly .....
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