Non ESA suspension on a 1250 GS - what is it like?

Paul S

Paul S

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OK - going through the thought process of whether to keep or change my 1290 SAS.

One option that appeals to me is to go for something a bit more basic i.e. standard 1250 GS with just heated grips, quick shifter and nothing else.

What's the latest experience of non ESA bikes from those that have them (if any) as the chances of me getting a test ride on one will be about zero!

Cheers

Paul
 
Why get the quick shift ??
Below 5000 rpm it’s rough as hell and no real reason to go much above 5000 with this bike
 
About zero lol,

i have esa suspension on my current gs , its set on soft, and stays on soft...

I had non adjustable on my hexhead, set to soft, and stayed on soft
 
If I was to trade in my bike tomorrow for a new 1250 I would definitely go for the ESA. The dynamic ESA is an improvement compared to the soft/normal/hard and the rider/rider + etc.

First time I tried a bike with the Dynamic ESA I noticed within the first 100m that the suspension worked better. It felt more 'right'.

QS? Works best at higher RPM's. I use mostly the downshift, and the upshift when riding in a 'spirited' way.
The MS hates it when I use it, and the easy riding style with the brake on the rear seat does not do the QS justice. But again, I would not buy the bike without it.

My 2c
 
Buy one then ride it, if the suspension is not up to the standard you need, put after market suspension on. There is a whole world of good quality suspension out there for less money than the saving you would save on the bike purchase.
 
My late model R1200GSA LC is non ESA and every BMW tech who has ridden it in the last 3 1/2 years have stated that it is the nicest handling GSA LC they have ridden
 
Maybe @grace could chime in. He was running non esa Tractive shocks on his R1200GS if I remember correctly.

If I was now in the market for a new GS I would definitely go non esa and get those fully and manually adjustable Tractive Extreme shocks. My biggest complaint about ESA(in my case esa Tractive shocks) is the rebound damping. It is too weak for such a heavy bike, and there’s no way to crank it up.


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My new 2021 GS is basic. The only option I ordered was Tripple Black. Everything else was basic. Maybe after 40 years of riding I'm a bit "old school" too much but I purchased all the aftermarket accessories I wanted and some of them were even 1/10 of BMW price (aux LED lights for example). I couldn't see the point in keyless start even after the salesman was insisting for so long...
As for standard rear suspension, I'm more then happy. Of all of the bikes I owned in the past, this one handles the best, by far. The only important thing was to set the suspension properly as it has preload and rebound adjustment. I went to Suzuki dealer who is good friend of mine and he adjusted it for me. It was way too soft for my weight (90 kg). After proper adjusting I just have to remember the position on remote knob so if I have pillion I crank it up 2-3 turns and then back when I ride alone.
After this I would never spend my money on ESA. But that's just me. Maybe I'm getting too old...
 
bosnjo said:
My new 2021 GS is basic. The only option I ordered was Tripple Black. Everything else was basic. Maybe after 40 years of riding I'm a bit "old school" too much but I purchased all the aftermarket accessories I wanted and some of them were even 1/10 of BMW price (aux LED lights for example). I couldn't see the point in keyless start even after the salesman was insisting for so long...
As for standard rear suspension, I'm more then happy. Of all of the bikes I owned in the past, this one handles the best, by far. The only important thing was to set the suspension properly as it has preload and rebound adjustment. I went to Suzuki dealer who is good friend of mine and he adjusted it for me. It was way too soft for my weight (90 kg). After proper adjusting I just have to remember the position on remote knob so if I have pillion I crank it up 2-3 turns and then back when I ride alone.
After this I would never spend my money on ESA. But that's just me. Maybe I'm getting too old...
Click to expand...

Agree 100% About the only extra I would have is cruise control but that is because an injury to my right hand makes holding the throttle open on long journeys difficult.
 
Can't answer your question, I'm afraid, as my 1250 has ESA. I'm very pleased with it though. I've stuck it on "road" and never really noticed the suspension, which is surely what you want?

I'm not sure if it's even possible to get just the extras you want (grips and quickshifter) without entering the murky world of BMW Packages.

Of all the extras on mine, the one I'd be least fussed about losing is the quickshifter.

If you're planning on keeping the bikes for ages I doubt it'll bother you too much, but if not you might want to think about how easy it will be to sell. Rightly or wrongly, most buyers (and also most dealers) will be reluctant to take a basic bike rather than one with the extras that are generally seen as 'desirable'. It's not just how much of a hit you'll take, it's how long it'll take to find a buyer.
 
Quinten said:
Can't answer your question, I'm afraid, as my 1250 has ESA. I'm very pleased with it though. I've stuck it on "road" and never really noticed the suspension, which is surely what you want?

I'm not sure if it's even possible to get just the extras you want (grips and quickshifter) without entering the murky world of BMW Packages.

Of all the extras on mine, the one I'd be least fussed about losing is the quickshifter.

If you're planning on keeping the bikes for ages I doubt it'll bother you too much, but if not you might want to think about how easy it will be to sell. Rightly or wrongly, most buyers (and also most dealers) will be reluctant to take a basic bike rather than one with the extras that are generally seen as 'desirable'. It's not just how much of a hit you'll take, it's how long it'll take to find a buyer.
Click to expand...

Idea would be to keep this one a long time and just don't want/need all the extras and so hopefully resale value will not be an issue.

Quick shifter on the KTM is really good and would miss that I think but if still not very good on the BMW then better without. Had it on my 2014 GSA and it was a bit crude.

So maybe answer is a completey basic bike and fit aftermarket heated grips :D

That said test riding the new 1290 SAS in the morning so will no doubt change my mind again ;)
 
On a 1250 GS Adventure – perfect. Whilst I have sold the bike, it had nothing to do with the suspension. I test rode electronic versions, and had some concerns whether I’d done the right thing when it was being built, however, the first ride home was truly excellent, and wholly without regret. I increased the rear preload to suit my weight, and enjoyed.
 
The QS on the 1250 is smoother than on my previous 2018 1200 and although I don't use it all the time I wouldn't be without it now as it comes in really useful on overtakes and changing 3-6 and down again and it's surprising how much it helps on a long ride. I can understand why you don't want esa but as mentioned the issue could be if you decided to sell it in say 2or 3 years as most buying used from a dealer want the bells and whistles. I'd have the heated grips and cruise control and if you take a pillion hill hold too if it's available separately.
 
Subaruvich said:
Maybe @grace could chime in. He was running non esa Tractive shocks on his R1200GS if I remember correctly.

If I was now in the market for a new GS I would definitely go non esa and get those fully and manually adjustable Tractive Extreme shocks. My biggest complaint about ESA(in my case esa Tractive shocks) is the rebound damping. It is too weak for such a heavy bike, and there’s no way to crank it up.


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Click to expand...
Hi
I'm working with them shocks every day and I can say there is lots of way to adjust the suspension (internally ) beside them shocks have tons of damping and more rebound is last thing you need.
If you use correct (normally stiffer) spring.
You get less oscillation so less damping is needed or standard damping will be more then adequate for the job. Nice anodising doesn't necessary means better setup.




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My GS is basic, as I already mentioned, but it comes with "hill hold" as standard. Hill hold and ECO riding mode are standard starting 2021 models.
 
Some technical details to your questions
ESA and non-ESA shocks are completely different shocks.
None Esa rear shocks come with PDS like the older Showa shocks.
This would be great for off-road. much bigger piston and completely different valving. Less compression damping at the Beginning of the stroke and 50% more when the PDS piston is engaged.

Picture of the manual shock below and ESA valving including base valve .
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What's a GSA like without ESA ? Far more reliable. But I presume you will have a warranty so that doesn't matter. Apart from a six week wait at your dealership for a slot to diagnose and swap the shock if it fails.

I would argue that taking standard non ESA suspension to a suspension expert to set it up FOR YOU is far more advantageous than ESA will ever be.
 
I bought a new basic 2019 1250 GS Rallye as a keeper with some options, heated grips, cruise, sat nav mount, but no shift assist or keyless. The money I saved over a TE paid for Ohlins TTX shocks. Far better handling than my 2 previous LC’s with ESA. Plus if I sell the GS the Ohlins will still have a value.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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