Is there a definitive esa fix.

Neil W

Neil W

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Messages
11,621
Reaction score
1,949
Location
Northumberland
As per the title, took delivery of my 64 plate gsa te on 1st september and so far every mile has been thoroughly unpleasant, so much so that after the first service last month I parked it up and haven't used it since.

Apart from the poor gearchange from 1st to 2nd which it looks like I will have to live with, the esa is bloody awful.

The suspension is far too stiff and uncompliant, it feels like running a bike on 70 psi in the tyres. The front end even on solo soft settings is very harsh and the rear is nearly as bad.

Two up it is unrideable on the two up settings and feels as if the suspension is rigid, even two up using the solo plus luggage the suspension is harsh.

There was a rumour re a software update but dealer is being uncooperative
 
That's shocking Neil. I take it you have been back to the dealer? What did they make of the issue? A brand new bike worth a lot (too much) of hard earned money. Have you test rode a similar bike at the dealer so as to show the difference. Good luck with a proper conclusion.

Col
 
It's outrageous that you pay so much money for something that clearly does not work properly and the dealer won't help fix it.

Name and shame.
 
Has the ESA warning light come up on the dash ? Mine did it then reset itself .On start up let it scroll though all the lights before touching the starter . Sounds like a knackered shock unit , Get it switched as the new ESA is very good when it works :D
 
Threaten them with consumer rights over it,I f it's not fit for purpose you are entitled to get it fixed go over their heads & complain to bmw direct.

Can't you buy lc without esa get some wilbers or ohlins then it'll work right 100% of the time.
After all Iv read I won't be buying one ever lol
 
I appreciate this is not a helpful comment....but after all the advertising I had a go an Aprilia Caponard with their version of ESA yesterday and wish I hadn't. Riding home on my BMW the ride felt harsh and unrefined in comparison. I really want to love the GSA...and much of it I do BUT the suspension is not what I was expecting...it feels harsh to me too....although not to the levels Neil seems to be suffering.

I much prefer the look of the GSA but I have to tell you....if it's touring/commuting you mainly want then I strongly advise having a go on the Aprilia.....really impressive....and that includes BMW who might learn something.

I have been told my bike is operating within expected parameters....which is probably true. just think the "parameters" are shit. I wonder what a non ESA bike is like?
 
Ask to test ride another GSA with ESA. If it's different ask the Service Manager to test ride both bikes as well :thumb2

Don't try threatening them as you need them on your side :clap
 
oldnfat said:
I have been told my bike is operating within expected parameters....which is probably true. just think the "parameters" are shit. I wonder what a non ESA bike is like?
Click to expand...

So we have parameters and characteristics, seems BMW have a word to cover every fook up.

I too agree with suspension, the demo GSA i took out the gearbox was perfect, but the suspension was so harsh it jolted me out the seat over every pothole and also the poor rd surface i could feel tho the bars. I tried all the suspension settings and it was the same.

I feel for you Neil, its certainly not what you expect and if you cannot buy BMW and expect the best, what do you buy !
 
I don't get this Harsh-ride issue, my 2014 bike is a much harsher ride than my 2013 bike.

My mates 2015 bike was a much harsher ride than his 2014 bike.

My mate has taken his bike back to his dealer and they have fixed it with some form of software download/reload, and the ride is now good..it's fixed!

My local dealer Astles of Grimsby say that no such download/reload/upgrade exists!

It would be nice to have something definitive....or...which dealers can fix a harsh-ride bike using a software reload and which dealers can't, and why can't they, and what is actually causing this ride issue?

Why aren't all of the dealers singing from the same hymnbook? What's it all about?

However, I'm not unhappy and I still love my bike to bits, and very soon I will be setting off to go to Fridaythorpe cafe in Yorkshire and I'm really looking forward to a great ride on this very sunny Saturday morning. :rolllaugh
 
It's increasingly looking like the BMW GS range reached its peak with the superlative 2013 LC model and has drifted back down hill again. :-(

The suspension on my TE has been a revelation and a joy for every mile ridden.

Good luck to GSA owners. I hope there's a fix coming
 
I
batman1 said:
I don't get this Harsh-ride issue, my 2014 bike is a much harsher ride than my 2013 bike.

My mates 2015 bike was a much harsher ride than his 2014 bike.

My mate has taken his bike back to his dealer and they have fixed it with some form of software download/reload, and the ride is now good..it's fixed!

My local dealer Astles of Grimsby say that no such download/reload/upgrade exists!

It would be nice to have something definitive....or...which dealers can fix a harsh-ride bike using a software reload and which dealers can't, and why can't they, and what is actually causing this ride issue?

Why aren't all of the dealers singing from the same hymnbook? What's it all about?

However, I'm not unhappy and I still love my bike to bits, and very soon I will be setting off to go to Fridaythorpe cafe in Yorkshire and I'm really looking forward to a great ride on this very sunny Saturday morning. :rolllaugh
Click to expand...

My 2014 GSA is fine and has been from new it too had a suspension upgrade / new software carried out the last time it was in and to be fair I can't tell any difference.
But it is definitely not harsh in any of its settings.
Terry
 
I am a bit non plussed that every bike I have owned or used in the past 35 years all have had different tyre pressures for solo and two up including my 2011 gsa yet the new one seems to use the equivalent of two up tyre pressures with no alternative.
The tyre pressures may contribute but there is imho something inherently wrong with either the spring rates, electronic damping or suspension software
I am hoping for decent weather next week and will take the bike back to the dealer and dump it on them, it is at the stage now that they either fix it or as far as I am concerned it is not fit for purpose.
 
oldnfat said:
I have been told my bike is operating within expected parameters....which is probably true. just think the "parameters" are shit. I wonder what a non ESA bike is like?
Click to expand...

If it's got wilbers or ohlins set up right it'll be ace :thumb

My 1st hexhead felt like a different machine compared to my 2nd with wilbers F n R :)
 
My 2013 WC suspend ion was sublime.
My 2014 GSA is on the slightly firm side but i can only use the softest ESA setting for all riding, Track day, 1 up, 2 up.
Its not a problem but I would like the softest setting to be soft and then use the adjustments to find the sweet spot.
I don't thing its a software issue the white springs look massive. The are Hypero spring for sale on ebay: 181567257156
Cheap as chips but may invalidate warranty.
 
Rear suspension ok but it's the front that seems rock hard on all settings. Resorted to dropping the tyre pressure. 2013 gs lc TE.
Dealer great but does not seem aware of any software update.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Is there a definitive ESA fix ? ... yes, save yourself a grand and buy it in the first place !! Had ESA on an RT which went wrong, new GS coming with heated grips only. Why buy all the bits that just go wrong. Cant understand why anybody wants a bloody quickshifter on a GS !!
 
It's interesting that the newer the bike the firmer the suspension,
I have a non ESA poverty spec gs and found the 15 model notably firmer sprung than the 14 my,
So it could be spring rate changes contributing to the compliance issue,
I must say the wc standard suspension is surprisingly good compared to the previous 1150 and 1200s ,,,Roamer
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Clutch Drag - is there a definitive answer?
Replies
9
Views
2,695
chas820
chas820


Back
Top Bottom