ESA

bod

bod

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Wouldn't have chosen it myself, but bike came with it!
Had a play with it & read the handbook BUT still a bit confused to be honest? :confused:
I keep pressing the button & different things keep popping up.
Hard, normal or soft. Big hill & little hill. Sport, 1 helmet, 2 helmet, 2 lids + suitcase :nenau

I assume sport with 1 helmet is the best option for a firm, sporty ride, or is it Hard with the little hill?

All I know is that the hills & helmets can't be adjusted on the move.

If someone could post a very basic tutorial of how to actually get the options on screen (without pressing away until I stumble over what I'm looking for) and how to select them . . And what is the proper option for normal road riding, I would be most grateful. :thumb
 
OK - pretty easy really! The Big Hill and Little Hill as you call them are for off-road adventures so can be ignored for Road Riding.

Two settings now remain - one affects the pre-load of the rear shock and the other the damping or the rate at which the shocks return to their neutral state.

For setting the pre-load the bike must be running, stationary and in neutral - you can use the ESA button to cycle through 3 options for Rider Only, Rider with Luggage and Two-Up. To be fair, BMW assume a 85 kg rider so you may wish to play with these settings to find the right preload for your weight and style of riding - more preload will make the bike turn faster but will sit higher.

For the final setting, you can again use the ESA button but it works while moving. Here the button cycles between Normal, Sport and Comfort each of which provide varying levels of damping. Comfort provides a slow return and can feel a bit wallowy (IMHO), Normal is the routine setting and works for most folk in most situations while Sport will provide more rebound damping, feel firmer and slightly bumpier but, if you are trying to move the bike along, will allow the suspension to reset much quicker as you change direction and/or reload the suspension.

Much of the above is down to how you ride the bike and very subjective. Its not the most adjustable system in the world but it does give you the ability to change on the move if you want to. The handbook is pretty good at explaining the mechanics of how to effect each change available - in practice you might adjust the preload before you set off and never again and the damping - well, as you see fit during your ride.

Personally - and most will disagree as it is very personal - I ride in Rider and Luggage most of the time and 2 Up if loaded with panniers or a pillion. I have never used comfort but use Sport a lot if working twisty roads - particularly with luggage or a pillion. However, most will disagree - inevitably - its up to you ........

Suggest you go out an dtry each Preload setting with each of the Rebound settings to see what works for you. Enjoy!
 
Data Thief

stonehenge said:
RTFM :blast
Click to expand...

Is that "RIDE THE FUCKING MACHINE" ?

I did several hundred hundred miles yesterday thanks!
My confusion is understanding the settings on the screen!

NGFY:tosser
 
Reckless said:
OK - pretty easy really! The Big Hill and Little Hill as you call them are for off-road adventures so can be ignored for Road Riding.

Two settings now remain - one affects the pre-load of the rear shock and the other the damping or the rate at which the shocks return to their neutral state.

For setting the pre-load the bike must be running, stationary and in neutral - you can use the ESA button to cycle through 3 options for Rider Only, Rider with Luggage and Two-Up. To be fair, BMW assume a 85 kg rider so you may wish to play with these settings to find the right preload for your weight and style of riding - more preload will make the bike turn faster but will sit higher.

For the final setting, you can again use the ESA button but it works while moving. Here the button cycles between Normal, Sport and Comfort each of which provide varying levels of damping. Comfort provides a slow return and can feel a bit wallowy (IMHO), Normal is the routine setting and works for most folk in most situations while Sport will provide more rebound damping, feel firmer and slightly bumpier but, if you are trying to move the bike along, will allow the suspension to reset much quicker as you change direction and/or reload the suspension.

Much of the above is down to how you ride the bike and very subjective. Its not the most adjustable system in the world but it does give you the ability to change on the move if you want to. The handbook is pretty good at explaining the mechanics of how to effect each change available - in practice you might adjust the preload before you set off and never again and the damping - well, as you see fit during your ride.

Personally - and most will disagree as it is very personal - I ride in Rider and Luggage most of the time and 2 Up if loaded with panniers or a pillion. I have never used comfort but use Sport a lot if working twisty roads - particularly with luggage or a pillion. However, most will disagree - inevitably - its up to you ........

Suggest you go out an dtry each Preload setting with each of the Rebound settings to see what works for you. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to explain in easy steps!:thumb

It is the transition from a life of manually operated suspension to calling up icons on a screen that I struggle with.
 
It really is quite simple once it's expained! :blush

It seems I spent most of yesterday on-road in an off-road, pre-load setting.
I thought it was a bit slow steering & wallowey.

Anyway just been out for an hour & it's all so clear now. Choose a pre-load & switch between sport, normal & comfort.

Thanks for your help Reckless ! :thumb
 
davegs said:
bod said:
Is that "RIDE THE F*****G MACHINE" ?

No, it means read the f******** manual.
Click to expand...

I did say I'd read the manual but was still confused! :blast

markymark said:
Tried the comfort, normal & sport settings but can't tell the difference :blast
Just a waste of money IMHO :confused:
Click to expand...

I think the pre-load options are very obvious, but yes the damping changes are very subtle.
I wouldn't have spent £1100 on the premium pack for sure . . get a nice set of Wilbers for that. :thumb
Click to expand...
 
I think the Sport setting is really noticeable - I was following a friend through a pass in Morocco a couple of weeks ago - he was loaded with panniers etc. Th back end was clearly not staying up with the bike as he rode through some very twisty bends at a spirited pace! Normally, he doesn't use Sport - I told him to try it over the radio and, once selected, the difference was clear from watching the bike and from his reaction. But, as I said, not everyone will agree - but how many stop to adjust their suspension rebound when the ride calls for it - its a useful facility but you need to use it.
 
Ahhhhh, the 1200 section,

Don't yer just love it ...... :D
 
littleredrooster said:
In which case, I suspect it's bust. There's a vast difference between them on mine.
Click to expand...

+2 :thumb2

Sport makes a huge difference when going for it on fast twisty roads or when two-up with luggage, but is a little harsh at other times.

Comfort is good for really bumpy, slow back roads, but standard suits most of the time.

I test rode a non-ESA bike first and found it far too soft and under damped - ESA is a must IMHO, along with ABS and heated grips.
 
If I'm on my own (which I am most of the time:D) I leave it in sport, but if SWMBO is on the back, I switch between sport (if I want to scare her, and put her off coming out with me) and comfort.:thumb
 
Hiya Sven - not missing the 1200S then? I sold mine to a friend so it like meeting up with an old girlfriend - still miss it but the GS is proving every bit as good but different again - enjoying it so far!

Re ESA - I agree with what you said - which is what I said earlier I think - apart from me not liking Comfort - hang over from the 1200S which wallowed like a pig in Comfort mode.

Horses for courses - we don't all have to be the same or agree - which is a bloody good thing around this site!
 
Reckless said:
I think the Sport setting is really noticeable - I was following a friend through a pass in Morocco a couple of weeks ago - he was loaded with panniers etc. Th back end was clearly not staying up with the bike as he rode through some very twisty bends at a spirited pace! Normally, he doesn't use Sport - I told him to try it over the radio and, once selected, the difference was clear from watching the bike and from his reaction. But, as I said, not everyone will agree - but how many stop to adjust their suspension rebound when the ride calls for it - its a useful facility but you need to use it.
Click to expand...

Had the twin cam for a week now & have to say I am really warming to ESA :thumb
Seem to have found rider+ luggage pre-load is best for me, and switch between sport & normal in the damping department.

I'm still not sure it is as agile than my old Wilber shocked bike, but I'm happy with it so far.
Also, love the new engine, it's got that snap the old motor was lacking.
 
Reckless said:
- but how many stop to adjust their suspension rebound when the ride calls for it - its a useful facility but you need to use it.
Click to expand...

I certainly do, and although I can understand those who don't like to fiddle with adjustments that require tools, I have no idea why anyone would not use the ESA facility, how hard is it to press a button :nenau
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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