ESA
- Thread starter bod
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For me the effect of the damping settings are more, or less apparent depending on the rebound setting. As I'm 95Kg and therefore 10Kg above BMW's average weight I find the "one above" setting for rebound the best i.e riding solo, I have solo+luggage set. If I use the lower rebound setting of solo only, I have to use sport to stop what is only slight wallowing in corners if set to comfort. If I change the rebound to solo+luggage, I can put the damping into soft and get no wallowing at all. It works well for me.
littleredrooster
Registered user
I think you mean the preload settings, not rebound....
would not buy a bike now without ESA , had a K1200s and now on my second R1200Gs in the last 5years, used to get quite neurotic about setting the bike up before but not now, big difference between comfort and sport on twisty roads. Luv it 
would not buy a bike now without ESA , had a K1200s and now on my second R1200Gs in the last 5years, used to get quite neurotic about setting the bike up before but not now, big difference between comfort and sport on twisty roads. Luv it
I still say the £1050 for the premium pack, would be spent on a set of Wilbers, if I were ordering a new bike!
I never adjusted my old bike all the time I owned it - it just dealt with whatever was thrown it's way!
Only because you didn't have the option to adjust it electronically.
Once you get used to it, it's one of those options that you don't want to live without.
A very valid point young man!
I was very wary of ABS, Sat Nav, 'Tinternet, Digital cameras . .
I like 'em to get things sorted out before I have to buy!
Bikerjim
Registered user
I will have to try that as im 90kgs
I ride to work and have to cover all different roads from Mways to bumpy B roads and think its great to be able to switch to comfort on bumpy b roads
Jim
Only because you didn't have the option to adjust it electronically.
Once you get used to it, it's one of those options that you don't want to live without.
I tested the ESA bike and although it worked very well if I were to buy another GS I would get one without ESA and fit my Wilburs.
The fact that BMW came up with a way to alter spring rate is very impressive as that is what is really needed more than anything when changing loads dramatically, and something Wilburs / Ohlins currently do not have.
Where the aftermarket gain massively is in component quality and fine adjustability.
All OEM stuff is always built to a price, I bet the factory gate cost of an Ohlins is at least four times what BMW pay for each unit (and possibly a factor of ten) They are also likely to be filled with low quality oil. The other issue is QC can be poor, often two bikes can feel very different, I know that the CSS have had R1's where the gas pressure in the shocks (on brand new bikes) can be 50% different and I suspect oil levels may not be accurately filled either - this is one reason why copying settings you see posted on sites and even in magazine articles is pointless.
As for adjustability I will move 1 click sometimes, and out of 20+ clicks on any adjuster that allows me to get it exactly how I like it, ESA must move the equivelent of 3-4 clicks at a time.
I can also choose to alter compression, rebound and pre-load independantly (and alter front and rear independantly) The OE unit gives 3 settings, none of which may be ideal for me and the button alters all parameters, for me I prefer a higher ride height for "sports" use, something ESA does not allow for as it only alters damping (OK selecting passenger will add pre-laod, but probably too much, also I only add pre-load to the rear to give a better steering response and I bet ESA would jack them both up when you select two-up - plus of course it also alters the spring rate so would make it oversprung)
If they bring out a version you can finely tune yourself (like the MTS) it would be very tempting to me, the other thing that is great with the MTS stuff is they have fitted high end Ohlins as well as provided the ability to alter the parameters to your own preference.
I think ESA is fantastic and a great improvement for anyone who would not have gone out and bought Ohlins / Wilburs (which I am guessing is well over 99% of owners)
I would not even go for Wilburs / Ohlins ESA as it still does not solve the lack of granularity I prefer, but again for 99% of owners this is another option to improve quality with the ESA benefits.
ESA - Bloody brilliant!
For my 2p worth -
I find the ESA (fitted to my 09 1200GS) is excellent, it is responsive and effective, especially if changing damping settings on the go. I tend to ride one up on the single rider pre load setting, flicking between comfort and sport damping whilst riding.
If you need a sportier ride I would recommend switching to one up with luggage pre load and selecting the sport damping -this seems to quicken the steering - (obvious I guess as the rear ride height is raised).
I have had endless sports bikes, all of which have had seemingly infinite suspension adjustment settings, all I ended up doing was leaving the settings alone and ride on one "compromise" setting. I find with the ESA I now regularly switch suspension modes to best suit the road, bike load and my mood!
David
PS I weigh around 85kg's!
For my 2p worth -
I find the ESA (fitted to my 09 1200GS) is excellent, it is responsive and effective, especially if changing damping settings on the go. I tend to ride one up on the single rider pre load setting, flicking between comfort and sport damping whilst riding.
If you need a sportier ride I would recommend switching to one up with luggage pre load and selecting the sport damping -this seems to quicken the steering - (obvious I guess as the rear ride height is raised).
I have had endless sports bikes, all of which have had seemingly infinite suspension adjustment settings, all I ended up doing was leaving the settings alone and ride on one "compromise" setting. I find with the ESA I now regularly switch suspension modes to best suit the road, bike load and my mood!
David
PS I weigh around 85kg's!
This is my first ESA bike, I thought it was a gimmick but today I plopped her in doors in the back. Between us we must be approaching the max load for the bike!! Pumped it to two helmets and comy. It was superb, my previous Adventure didnt have ESA but had Hyperpro progressive rate springs. Despite any setting changes this wallowed around with her on the back.
Im liking this toy alot,
Im liking this toy alot,
Well, I put another 330 miles on the twin cam today, and bejeezus did it piss down in South Wales!
Hid in the Touratech shop for as long as I could, then decided it was "set in"
So, I selected a nice soft option and had a magic carpet ride accross the Brecon Beacons in driving rain.
By the time I filled up at Abergavenney, the roads were dry & the sun starting to show. A quick prod of the button & she was poised for a thrash back home!
I think the last time I messed with suspension properly was with a C spanner, I just couldn't be arsed with it. But the ESA is just too easy!
But I do agree with Rasher about fine tuning, and if you are a bit of an Erv Kanemoto tuning guru, and you know how to set a bike up, then ESA is allways a bit A, B or C.
Hid in the Touratech shop for as long as I could, then decided it was "set in"
So, I selected a nice soft option and had a magic carpet ride accross the Brecon Beacons in driving rain.
By the time I filled up at Abergavenney, the roads were dry & the sun starting to show. A quick prod of the button & she was poised for a thrash back home!
I think the last time I messed with suspension properly was with a C spanner, I just couldn't be arsed with it. But the ESA is just too easy!
But I do agree with Rasher about fine tuning, and if you are a bit of an Erv Kanemoto tuning guru, and you know how to set a bike up, then ESA is allways a bit A, B or C.
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