ESA

[PeteBMW]

I have a 2015 triple black with ESA, when I go through the ESA settings from hard to normal to soft I don't notice any significant difference. Wereas on My previous bike, an R1200RT, the change was significant, on the the soft setting I 'bounced' along the road and hard it was really firm.
Is this normal for a GS?

It has to go in for its first service and I will ask them to check it anyway.

Thanks

 

[Moose]

Funny - I had the same comment about my 2012 RT.

I have recently acquired a 2015 GS but have only had it set to soft (because of the poor quality UK roads). I don't bounce but it is quite smooth. I am not convince that the dynamic (semi-active) feature of the GS is noticeable, but to be fair, you would have to conduct a test ride over the same road surface at the same speed repeatedly for different settings to form a true opinion.

I am sure that a change does happen - I think it is more of a marketing ploy IMHO.

 

[Reggie P]

I've posted similar many times.

I'm not "insensitive " to the nuances of the bike.
What do I mean by this?

Well; I can feel a big difference in performance, when using differing RON fuels for example.
Its smoother and sweeter on certain "premium" fuels.

However, the BMW ESA is, again, a big disappointment.

On my 2014 F800GS , I'd assumed that it was a joke because it only worked on the rear shock.
Now with the 2016 R1200GS triple black its still disappointing.

Soft isn't very soft and hard isn't very hard. Why don't they engineer it to give a bigger range of ability?
Like Moose above , I do think its the perfect BMW marketing-mans wet-dream.

Don't misunderstand me, the R1200GS and R1200GSA(better!) has great suspension and the bike is a miracle in x-winds and gives better stability than any competitor.

It's just the ESA "range" of operation is a tad "narrow" imho.
I'm not an expert motorcyclist , just an enthusiast. I'm surprised more riders don't feel like Moose and I !

 

[een705]

On my 2013 r1200gs I can notice a big difference and enjoy changing different modes to different condition TBH I'm very pleased with the settings but maybe being fat helps compress the spring more lol I would try another GS and compare. To confirm soft is very soft and ideal for very rough roads, on Dynamic and hard its like a sportsbike but need to watch potholes lol

 

[GSTourer]

Exactly the same as on my 2010 RT. I have commented on here in the past and had it checked out by a dealer and it appears all is working correctly.

When my shocks give up the ghost I am going to fit quality replacements of the non ESA variety.

 

[Rockred]

I can tell the difference on my 15, I must have sensitive nuts.

 

[een705]

A cheaper option maybe to risk a secondhand one from ebay cheapest i've seen is £150

Exactly the same as on my 2010 RT. I have commented on here in the past and had it checked out by a dealer and it appears all is working correctly.

When my shocks give up the ghost I am going to fit quality replacements of the non ESA variety.

 

[yankeedoodledandy]

The difference in damping between the 3 modes is very noticeable on my 2013 GS. I like the D-ESA, its a gamechanger feature if you live in an area where the secondary roads can be frostheaved and crappy.

 

[GSTourer]

A cheaper option maybe to risk a secondhand one from ebay cheapest i've seen is £150

A "second hand" what?

 

[bet my world]

I opted for non ESA on my 2015 GS , having tried both couldn't feel a massive difference, I don'nt have the magic wheel either, just love the engine!!!

 

[Nutty]

I weigh 75 kilos, and can notice a big difference between each setting. Some of the lighter folk here don't notice the differences as much as the heavier riders, but I can.

The easiest way to tell is to put it in the softest setting, and crank the throttle. It will bog down. Then put it in the hardest setting and do the same. It won't bog down.

If there is no differences doing this test, you have a fault, and need to take the bike to the dealer.

 

[een705]

A "second hand" what?

AN ESA SHOCK...........

 

[Jacal]

Go to agree the Dynamic ESA isn't as good as my last twin cam GSA when set on soft....Nowhere near as soft!....Yesterday going over the North Yorkshire Moors from Rosedale Chimney Bank - Heygate Bank, across the top to Whitby, I could feel very bloody bump as apposed to when I've rode it with the TC GSA....Really disappointed with it.

 

[GSTourer]

AN ESA SHOCK...........

No need to shout.

I thought my original post made it clear (although I could be wrong) that I don't think much of the ESA system i.e. by agreeing with the OP that I can feel little difference between settings and that it has been checked by a dealer and is working correctly.

I then went on to say that when my current shocks are finished I will be replacing them with better quality non ESA shocks.

Why ever would I after thinking they are crap (or maybe just not for me) waste any further money (albeit a 'bargain' on EBay) on purchasing some more?..............Only to again think they are crap (or maybe just not for me).

My apologies if it wasn't clear in my OP, but there really was no need to be quite so loud!

 

[een705]

No need to shout.

I thought my original post made it clear (although I could be wrong) that I don't think much of the ESA system i.e. by agreeing with the OP that I can feel little difference between settings and that it has been checked by a dealer and is working correctly.

I then went on to say that when my current shocks are finished I will be replacing them with better quality non ESA shocks.

Why ever would I after thinking they are crap (or maybe just not for me) waste any further money (albeit a 'bargain' on EBay) on purchasing some more?..............Only to again think they are crap (or maybe just not for me).

My apologies if it wasn't clear in my OP, but there really was no need to be quite so loud!

LOL obviously I needed to make it clear to you

 

[Neil W]

When I got my r1200gsa lc with esa there was a marked difference between the soft/normal/hard setttings on both solo/solo plus luggage/two up settings.

However, it continued to have glitches whereby the esa would get harder and harder until the bike was unrideable.

After numerous ecu updates it eventually became rideable with the glitches not being present , however , after the updates there was no appreciable difference between the soft/normal and hard settings.

My last gsa a tc had Maxton suspension and it was like chalk and cheese in quality compared to the esa.