Looking at a new GS/GSA - does everyone have ECS?

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ross.mcw

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So, I'm looking at buying a new GS or GSA and given that I'm completely fed up with expensive electronic stuff going wrong I've been trying to find a bike with no ABS/TCS/TPC and no ECS.

While there are a small number without ABS/TCS/TPC, it looks like there are no new bikes around without ECS so is everyone that's buying new bikes, going for ECS? I guess the answer's yes.

Has anyone had any problems with ECS? Is it even worth having or is it just another un-necessary expensive non-serviceable component that will fail at some point?

Is the newer ABS fairly trouble free these days? (my current '04 bike has the servo'd ABS which has failed but BMW has agreed to fix)

Maybe I should just look for an older 1150 and get back to basics....anyone have a nice 1150 they want to swap for an immaculate 10k '04 GS?

And yes, I'll will pay up some subs to the forum if and when I get another GS ;)

Cheers, Ross.
 
I think you mean ESA and ESC ? The New 12's are as good as they get !! had the 1150 GSAx2 loved them,a 2006 1200GSA Loved it ,now an 08 1200 Gsa with all the trimmings and love that.:thumb2 Only thing I wish it had was the enduro 1st gear as you have to slip the clutch a fair bit in traffic. Embrace the modern world of technology ,its got a 2 year warrenty extendable for up to 6 years so forget worrying,and get one bought!!! Then ride the fecker!!:thumb2
 
I think most newer GS owners either opted for ESA (the suspension control system) or knew they were going for aftermarket shocks in which case you definitely do not want it or they are like me and went for the OEM height reduced option in which case ESA is not compatible.

Not heard of any ESA failures yet
 
ESA is a convenience but you still have to stop the bike to really use it to adjust the shocks. So why not just adjust it yourself if you feel the need?

With ESA there are servo motors which do the "work" of changing the suspension settings. Replacement ESA shocks, should they fail out of warranty, are about $2500 USD each. Also not clear if BMW warranty will consider these to some extent a wear and tear item. Had my non-ESA rear shock on my Adventure fail at 22,000 km. BMW provided a new shock but I had to pay the labour.

So if you like all the technological options, make sure you have an iron clad extended warranty and ride where there are BMW dealers who can fix it fast.
For me, simpler is better. For my next Adventure I will order it from the factory with it exactly how I like it. No ESA, no ASC, no Tire Pressure monitoring.
YRMV.:type
 
Right, sorted.

I'm buying an '04 1150GSA from a fellow GS'er which I'll be picking up on Monday.

...and I've bought an '00 1150GS for a mate off another GS'er so that we can have a last minute Euro biking holiday in a week's time!

Neither of them have ABS/ESA/TCS or TPC which I'm very happy about.

I've got a hectic week ahead of me now...
 
By all means get a bike with ESA if it suits you or you cant find one without.

But if / when the ESA does go wrong, you can just replace it with regular shocks - BMW or others.

So you are not constrained with having to replace ESA with expensive ESA !
 
I would much rather they had options like powder coated frames and better engine finish instead of ll this essentially worthless "technology". Has anybody ever switched out the 1200 electronics and just retrofitted carbs and basic tech to match the reliability of the 1100?
 
jtw000 said:
I would much rather they had options like powder coated frames and better engine finish instead of ll this essentially worthless "technology". Has anybody ever switched out the 1200 electronics and just retrofitted carbs and basic tech to match the reliability of the 1100?
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Why the feck would anyone do that:blast Most of the engine technology is for emmisions so cannot be avoided. Just buy an old 1100 if you are concerned.

I`ve got both and they are equally reliable:thumb
 
Not me

I didn't pay for the ESA but there was no way that I wasn't getting ABS which certainly isn't worthless, firstly because it's one option that most 2nd hand buyers will expect on a GS and secondly it might just save your life one day.
 
Someone would fecking do that to increase reliability, economy, performance and to have a greater usability and control over their own machine. In fact i can't think of a single reason someone would not want to do it. I do not want a mobile computer that is locked into babysitter mode so i can't access all the features and that's how it feels some days owning this bike. Now i'm having a minor issue and the only advice that anyone can give me is take it back to BMW when I've never had a single bike in the last 40 I've owned that i wasn't able to fix such a fault in less than an hour with basic tools.
 
ESA having had it for 4k miles on an 08GS is worth having. Although, if I was going further than Europe and the BMW dealer network I wouldn't spec it as I've had both front and rear ESA units replaced so far...

I asked about a GSA at a dealer recently to be told that an adventure without ESA won't command nearly as much used. Given that a ton of bikes are bought as tarmac warriors I would have thought and will never go off road, ESA should be best for most people. I'm not 100% on the ESA if I go for the GSA as my next bike though, given the problems I've had. Part of me thinks good old fashioned manual adjustment is best.....

ABS is a no-brainer on these bikes in my humble opinion.
 
jtw000 said:
Someone would fecking do that to increase reliability, economy, performance and to have a greater usability and control over their own machine. In fact i can't think of a single reason someone would not want to do it. I do not want a mobile computer that is locked into babysitter mode so i can't access all the features and that's how it feels some days owning this bike. Now i'm having a minor issue and the only advice that anyone can give me is take it back to BMW when I've never had a single bike in the last 40 I've owned that i wasn't able to fix such a fault in less than an hour with basic tools.
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I get your point but all modern engines are riddled with computors for emmissions. The big reason for not doing it has to be cost. It would be cheaper to buy an old airhead and potter around with the old folk:augie

Don`t get all the ESA/ESC etc etc though. I`m a fan of keeping it simple because it will go wrong in the worst place.
 
I like technology but a lot of stuff on these bikes is toys to add money to the asking price in my opinion. ABS is a nice touch but servo assist? I don't see a need! I had a Fireblade recently and I ragged it. It was the last of the versions with a carb and i dyno-jetted it and used a straight through can with a K&N filter and it was ragged. It never returned less than 160 miles on a tenner, my BMW returns 85-90 which is not right. What is more not right is there seems very little i can do about it except take it to a dealer. I want to fix my own bike, it is after all my own bike. If this goes wrong while i'm out touring I'm screwed. I bought this thing believing that they were very solid but am already having strong doubts. I'm seriously thinking of getting an 1100 as an all rounder which begs the question of what this would then be any use for?
 
Regularly. I even confirmed the accuracy of the speedo. I do expect at least 40mpg from the Beemer but don't seem to be getting it. Anyway, don't want to hijack the thread. I just feel that technology is great (smart key with alarm is spot on, hassle free and is far superior to anything else on offer) but not when used as a cheap alternative to something that works well and fuel injection seems to be just that. Getting on topic, I see no value in ECS as an alternative to turning a knob. I just can't get my head around that one.
 
jtw000 said:
Regularly. I even confirmed the accuracy of the speedo. I do expect at least 40mpg from the Beemer but don't seem to be getting it. Anyway, don't want to hijack the thread. I just feel that technology is great (smart key with alarm is spot on, hassle free and is far superior to anything else on offer) but not when used as a cheap alternative to something that works well and fuel injection seems to be just that. Getting on topic, I see no value in ECS as an alternative to turning a knob. I just can't get my head around that one.
Click to expand...

Got 50mpg on my 08 Blade, 47.8 no matter how I ride on my 08GS!:)
 
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