ESA Suspension Setup

[LiquidLAN]

It's not really a problem as I rarely ride with a pillion, but I was wondering if there is any way of adjusting the suspension set up or rather the range within which the ESA works?

The reason I'm asking is that the factory set up feels like its "one setting too soft"

So me solo no luggage feels like it should be set to with luggage

Me solo with full luggage feels like it should be set to two up.

I'm not light, but I'm not that oversized either - been around 100 kilos for years now. I'm not sure what my last bike was set to, but it felt fine and I'd just turn up the damper if I was carrying extra kit.

I know AdamA had great results swapping out his shocks, but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do with the stock kit???

 

[snerkler]

It's not really a problem as I rarely ride with a pillion, but I was wondering if there is any way of adjusting the suspension set up or rather the range within which the ESA works?

The reason I'm asking is that the factory set up feels like its "one setting too soft"

So me solo no luggage feels like it should be set to with luggage

Me solo with full luggage feels like it should be set to two up.

I'm not light, but I'm not that oversized either - been around 100 kilos for years now. I'm not sure what my last bike was set to, but it felt fine and I'd just turn up the damper if I was carrying extra kit.

I know AdamA had great results swapping out his shocks, but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do with the stock kit???

I find exactly the same. Solo riding I have it rider plus luggage and if I have luggage I have it set on 2up. Never ride with a pillion so don't know if there's still enough preload or not

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

I've spoken to MCT suspension who say that they can rebuild esa shocks and can change the base settings just as you describe. I've not needed to yet as my shocks are still ok, but I expect to be calling them up in about 12 months.

If you try them please can you post some feedback on what they do / how well it works / what it costs?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Rasher]

I've spoken to MCT suspension who say that they can rebuild esa shocks and can change the base settings just as you describe.

I have had standard shocks / forks modified by MCT and they fitted and setup my Wilburs, I also have many firends who have used them. The work they do is always top-notch.

As I have said before if you are in any way unhappy with suspension setup have something done, there is nothing worse than not enjoying a ride because you are not 100% happy with the seup.

I have never regretted spending money (even lots of it) on suspension and with hindsight wish I had sorted some of the bikes I put up with in the past.


Hopefully the next version of ESA will allow you to tailor the settings a little to suit your own setup, the one flaw with ESA is the "one size fits all" approach, riding styles and rider preferences mean even two riders of the same weight may disagree on what works best, and two up settings that work for 17 stone combined weight are gonna be miles of for two people who are tipping the scales at 30 stone.

I did see BMW are trying to do reactive suspension, but I am not a fan of things that alter on the move, they have been on about this in race development for at least 20 years and never got it to work, give me a good quality setup over more electronic buffoonery every time - tailorable ESA would be ideal.

 

[Berin]

An expensive fix, but splash out on a Wilbers WESA set up made for your weight and it'll be the best money you spend on you bike.

 

[Nick dj]

Year

What year bike is ti?
I am only 13.5 stonebut always had my 08 bike far harder than standard.
My twin cam is a big improvement but I still ride on a firmer setting.

Don`t worry about the setting you ride on it is just a guide. Without ESA all you did was turn up the settings to what they are now but you did not know.
You have already paid a lot for ESA why pay more?
Nick

 

[Reckless]

Hi - the design weight of a BMW rider is supposed to be 85 kgs. So, if you are significantly heavier than that, you might want to try the + luggage setting or, in extreme cases, the 2 up setting. I used to ride my K1200S in 2 plus luggage all the time which was fine except on very bumpy roads.

Pete

 

[LiquidLAN]

Cheers Chaps!

I'm not worried as such, just curious - I was supposed to spend yesterday sorting out the suspension setup an offroad bike but it never happened, but did get me thinking.

As has been said, the settings are a guide, you just wind them on to suit. I'm not too fussed about spending a load of extra money, but it if was possible to vary the range that the system works though than it might have been worth a shot - at least it would have meant I had a bit of spare capacity should I ever find myself 2 up with luggage.

Had a chat with a mate a few weeks back who has a Ducati MS and uprated the spring relatively cheaply, I think he might have used MCT if they are over Bath way, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, will update if I do anything about it

 

[hatzyian]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the selection for rider, rider/luggage etc only changes the preload. To stiffen up the feel, then you need to change the normal/sport etc settings. I agree that if your heavy, you might need a harder spring.

 

[snerkler]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the selection for rider, rider/luggage etc only changes the preload. To stiffen up the feel, then you need to change the normal/sport etc settings. I agree that if your heavy, you might need a harder spring.

This is true, as far as I'm aware at least. Having low preload does make a bike 'feel' soft/wallowy though, even if this may not technically be the correct term

 

[LiquidLAN]

This is true, as far as I'm aware at least. Having low preload does make a bike 'feel' soft/wallowy though, even if this may not technically be the correct term

Yep I would agree with that, the bike definitely "feels" better for the harder setting, more so than adjusting the comfort/normal/sports option.