new 1200 gsa

[heathy]

I'm on the cusp of placing an order for a gsa and wondered whether i could tap your combined wisdom on a few option queries.

Is the electronic suspension adjustment worth having. the bike i rode had it and i quite enjoyed playing with it on the ride but is it as fine tunable as the standard unit. is the handling changed in any other respects from standard?

any thoughts on the ASC option?

any other options worth having or steering clear of?

Many thanks

Phil

 

[sockpuppet]

ESA looks good. Depends how often you think you'll change it. Do you 2 up a lot? Or remove the panniers etc.

If its always just going to be you doing the same sort of riding probably not worth it (IMHO).

 

[E. Buygum]

Can't really comment on ASC (or ABS for that matter) as I'm not aware of it being used in my first 5,000 miles...although I do think it's nice that it's there. However, I really like the ESA. The only reason I went for it was that it was fitted to a (new) bike in the dealers which I could get quicker but I'm really glad I did. Rode up (M6) to Scotland on "Comfort" setting last weekend. Next day in the twisties I couldn't really keep with my mate on his Tuono (no surprise)...until I switched to "Sport" setting ....after which he was holding me up. I spent months getting sensible settings on my previous bike: this just works...for me at any rate.

 

[Thunder]

Definetly worth having, the ability to change front and rear shock characteristics at the touch of a button is well worth the £500 cost, go for it you won't regret it.

 

[Andy_E]

I agree - ESA's well worth it especially if (like me) you ride 2-up often. Got ASC as well but don't think it's cut in yet so no real comments on it.

 

[ibroker]

Only had my bike 7 days and so far so good. The ESA makes big changes when you switch between single rider and pillion with luggage, no more faffing.

Well worth it

 

[Brian ROSEN]

I imagine the same comments would apply to the standard 1200GS? Like many others (?) I chose my options on the basis of delivery times and having specified heated grips (of course) and ABS (essential) I was told that a bike would be available sooner if I 'accepted' a chromed silencer an extra €100. So I said OK! I considered ESA but having ridden my previous 1200GS for four years on the same satisfactory settings I personally couldn't justify the expense. I can well imagine if one's journies and luggage plus pillion vary regularly it could be useful.

 

[Big Nick]

I went for the premium pack which includes the ESA and do use the feature quite regularly

I didn't bother with the other electronic gizmos as I had ABS on my last bike and I never felt it kick in once so reckoned I wouldn't need it, we'll see

 

[heathy]

thanks guys - will be placing the order next week - esa included. should get one mid october according to phil at pidcocks - seem to be plenty with the premium packs around.

re abs - had a spill on my non abs gs12 a couple of weeks ago - braking for a down hill left hander with the road as slippery as ..... well a very slippery thing. every time i touched the brake (while lent over very slightly) the front locked straight away. after this had happened 3 or 4 times i hit the bank on the other side of the road causing some minor damage to right panier and valve cover (luckily nothing more). suspect i might have stood more chance with abs, but who knows. Anyway, anybody want to buy a left hand pannier?

 

[JimboGSA]

ESA top - ABS/ASC fiddly

ESA is brilliant, i do go off road with mine and its invaluable for changing the settings from a solo rider with luggage, to off road settings and the handling characteristics change noticeably. Top idea.

The ASC/ABS however are a right pain as you have to keep turning them off if the ignition is turned off and on again. Hold button in for longer than 2 seconds to turn ABS off, then hold same button in for a second to turn to off-road ASC or release button and hold again to turn off ASC completely. Then you cant turn them off on the move, you have to be at a standstill. and you cant relly set them until the systems done its checks so you have to ride 10 metres or so, stop then turn everything off or on....

I had to read the manual 4 times before i got it! Tried going up a deep gravel trail today and then realised the ASC was still on and kept killing power to the rear wheel! I've took to leaving the ignition on at rest stops to save the hassle factor.

Phil at Pidcocks dealt with me and seems a decent bloke. Got £500 knocked off mine so make sure they do for yours too