ESA Settings Question

[Wilsdorf]

Can these be manually/personally adjusted to provide customs settings?

Also, does anyone else prefer riding solo with the settings at single rider plus luggage? Maybe it is just my lardy frame - but I think I prefer faster rides with this option.

 

[Georgeeboi]

Me too!....

 

[Roymondo]

I don't think there is anything you can do to manually tweak the factory ESA presets. As for the "rider only" factory setting - I think this assumes an 85kg rider (that's 13 stone 7 in old money), plus his riding kit. If you actually tip the scales at around 17 stone, that's 108kg, which equates to a BMW-spec rider and a near enough full BMW-spec luggage load. OK, it's not being carried quite as far back as panniers etc, but even so, the Rider +luggage setting is more appropriate.

 

[Wilsdorf]

Really? Do you think they set the bikes up for 85kg riders? That sounds a little high looking at average buyers.

 

[stonehenge]

High? Do you think most GS riders weight less than 85Kg?

 

[Beemerman59]

I'm 100Kg's and always have the ESA set one higher i.e rider+ luggage for solo riding.

 

[Wilsdorf]

High? Do you think most GS riders weight less than 85Kg?

Yes, I do. As the highest sold bike in numbers over 250cc it would suggest that too.

I wanted to know if it is a fact that the suspension is generally set up for 85kg, that's all - even if it is I would still need the luggage setting

 

[Wilsdorf]

I'm 100Kg's and always have the ESA set one higher i.e rider+ luggage for solo riding.

Good that is almost exactly the same for me, so I am happy I am in good company - it seems to work a little better.

 

[Wilsdorf]

Found this - it suggest 80kg was used as a bench mark, but I am not sure how reliable that figure is - certainly sounds more like it though;

http://www.mts1200.info/bmw_r1200gs/suspension/esa.htm

 

[harry]

Rider+ luggage for me too. Tho' I seem to have fair bit of understeer.

 

[Wilsdorf]

Understeer caused by the setting, or just in general? & which bike?

My MY08 understeers a lot more than the twin cam - to the extent that I am sure there is more changed than the engine

 

[Roymondo]

Really? Do you think they set the bikes up for 85kg riders? That sounds a little high looking at average buyers.

Yes, Really. If you RTFM you will see that the "basic" setting for non-ESA suspension is with a full load of fuel and an 85kg rider. I see no reason they would assume that someone who opted for ESA would be any different.

 

[phillh]

I'm 100Kg's and always have the ESA set one higher i.e rider+ luggage for solo riding.

Me too, a little too soft for my liking on the solo only setting. Perhaps I need to give up Cornish Pasties.

 

[Wilsdorf]

Yes, Really. If you RTFM you will see that the "basic" setting for non-ESA suspension is with a full load of fuel and an 85kg rider. I see no reason they would assume that someone who opted for ESA would be any different.

I have RTFM and it states less than 85kg, which doesn't exactly tell me what the bike is set up for - in fact it gives an absolute maximum before making an adjustment.

I am sure I read the average European weight was around 70-75kg - but maybe I am way off.

 

[Greenman14]

I run mine on solo plus luggage and I'm 80kg in civvies. The front feels more planted and less prone to shake over bumps when accelerating.

 

[Rasher]

Also, does anyone else prefer riding solo with the settings at single rider plus luggage?

Whenever I test rode / had loan ESA bike I ended up doing this, and it still did not turn as sweetly as my 2008 Wilburs suspended model.

A mate of mine who raced sucessfully and still teaches for a race school hired one for a Euro trip and did the same, having it on two-up plus luggage - and still reckoned it was soggy and low at the back - he also preferred my Wilburs equipped bike.