Should the lastest Auto ESA ride differently to the previous generation?

[littleade]

Just under 2 years ago I swapped my MY2016 GS with the 1 helmet, 2 helmet, 2 plus luggage ESA for a MY2018 model that has the Auto levelling mode instead.

Ever since I've had it I thought the suspension itself was softer than my previous bike to the extent that previously I often used road mode especially when the road surfaces were poor and only switched to Dynamic when the surfaces were smoother and I was getting a bit of a move on.

When I first rode my latest MY2018 1200 TE GS I was surprised how soft road mode fely compared to my MY2016 one, to the extent that I have never had it out of Dynamic mode since.

A couple of weeks ago I went for an Ice cream in Aberystwyth as you do and on the way back without doing speeds that would attract too much unwanted attention at times the bike felt quite loose with it see sawing when going through some of the bends. It never got really out of shape but it was a bit unnerving.

I've recently ditched the panaky 3's in favour of Roadtec 01's and checked the pressures when I got back and they were within 1psi of the recommended BMW pressures.

I've got the end of factory warranty inspection to book up with Rybrook shortly so before I ask them to check it out for those that have had both generations of ESA is his normal or do you think there could be something wrong with mine? If it makes any difference I'm 5'7" and 11 stone so not your averaged sized tosser.

After seeing the responses to the poll in my post about reliability after the factory warranty was up and getting the extended warranty I'm going to extend mine but would rather try and get any potential problems sorted before the 2 year factory warranty is up.

TIA

 

[ChazzyB]

Weird, innit. In towns, I switch to Road as Dyna is too harsh for my sensitive botty and I have a few stone on you. Same height tho' 2017 GS TE with Auto-levelling.

 

[Nin]

You just described the reason why I sold my GSA.


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[Deleted account 191119001]

Just under 2 years ago I swapped my MY2016 GS with the 1 helmet, 2 helmet, 2 plus luggage ESA for a MY2018 model that has the Auto levelling mode instead.

Ever since I've had it I thought the suspension itself was softer than my previous bike to the extent that previously I often used road mode especially when the road surfaces were poor and only switched to Dynamic when the surfaces were smoother and I was getting a bit of a move on.

When I first rode my latest MY2018 1200 TE GS I was surprised how soft road mode fely compared to my MY2016 one, to the extent that I have never had it out of Dynamic mode since.

A couple of weeks ago I went for an Ice cream in Aberystwyth as you do and on the way back without doing speeds that would attract too much unwanted attention at times the bike felt quite loose with it see sawing when going through some of the bends. It never got really out of shape but it was a bit unnerving.

I've recently ditched the panaky 3's in favour of Roadtec 01's and checked the pressures when I got back and they were within 1psi of the recommended BMW pressures.

I've got the end of factory warranty inspection to book up with Rybrook shortly so before I ask them to check it out for those that have had both generations of ESA is his normal or do you think there could be something wrong with mine? If it makes any difference I'm 5'7" and 11 stone so not your averaged sized tosser.

After seeing the responses to the poll in my post about reliability after the factory warranty was up and getting the extended warranty I'm going to extend mine but would rather try and get any potential problems sorted before the 2 year factory warranty is up.

TIA

Maybe stating the obvious, have you run the suspension through the hoops as they say in the manual, example Min to Max a few times in the different modes when off the bike and bike on centerstand with engine running.

 

[Roadrash Rider]

Me proper tossed size, double your weight and have found the ESA2 to be brilliant for me, I ride mainly in dynamic suspension mode but for motorways tend to drop it into road suspension, in dynamic it’s totally dialled in, in road on twisty bits I find it a bit too unsettled / bouncy for me. I also ride on Roadtech01s

Much better overall than ESA1

Preload always set on auto.

I guess this is going to be one of those threads that unless you find someone about same size also riding on 01s your going to get quite a spread of opinions.

Only down side I find is the front end always feels a little unsettled sort of vibey to me but not unresponsive if that makes sense.

 

[littleade]

You just described the reason why I sold my GSA.


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Oh bu88er.... I did think about taking a 1250RS out when they had mine in checking it out to see if they could find anything wrong but that might end up messy when I got home

 

[littleade]

Maybe stating the obvious, have you run the suspension through the hoops as they say in the manual, example Min to Max a few times in the different modes when off the bike and bike on centerstand with engine running.

Thanks for the idea

I have been guilty of not doing this in the past though I did do it max to min then back to auto before I went on the ride above so I'll try doing it a few times just in case...

 

[littleade]

Me proper tossed size, double your weight and have found the ESA2 to be brilliant for me, I ride mainly in dynamic suspension mode but for motorways tend to drop it into road suspension, in dynamic it’s totally dialled in, in road on twisty bits I find it a bit too unsettled / bouncy for me. I also ride on Roadtech01s

Much better overall than ESA1

Preload always set on auto.

I guess this is going to be one of those threads that unless you find someone about same size also riding on 01s your going to get quite a spread of opinions.

Only down side I find is the front end always feels a little unsettled sort of vibey to me but not unresponsive if that makes sense.

Thanks,

You're probably right but I thought it worth a go in case I just get the "They all do that sir" reply when I ask them to check it out

 

[littleade]

Weird, innit. In towns, I switch to Road as Dyna is too harsh for my sensitive botty and I have a few stone on you. Same height tho' 2017 GS TE with Auto-levelling.

It is indeed. I had a go on a 1200RS before I ordered the MY2018 GS without trying the latest GS out and preferred my old bike though if I had tried the latest one things might have turned out a bit different. This could get expensive.....

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Thanks for the idea

I have been guilty of not doing this in the past though I did do it max to min then back to auto before I went on the ride above so I'll try doing it a few times just in case...

Good thing it is under warranty, make them do a Suspension re-calibration, however I have done my calibration with the GS-911 and still find Road a tad bouncy, but that is due to spring rate 80kgs BMW stock spring rate, and I am 110 kgs, wintertime my shocks are going to DenzO for a spring upgrade to 100kgs.

 

[CPJS]

I sounds to me like the rear shock is knackered, go and try another bike for comparison. I have had 3 shocks replaced across 2 bikes, they can fail for allsorts of reasons, damping, preload or electronics.
Inform your dealer of your concerns so it is on record, you should then be ok for replacement if the bike falls out of warranty.
I have since gone the route of the Touratech ESA shock no longer bouncy bouncy.
I wonder if it is lack of weight on the suspension, I weight 11.5st with kit and it was never enough to activate the auto preload whish would mean the damping was on its minimum settings. If I rode stupid fast the D ESA would do its thing but it was never enough in ROAD damping, I rode in Dynamic damping in all modes.

 

[the woodster]

I get a bit 'bouncy' on my ESA2 when solo in 'Road' but never with a pillion and/or luggage. Personally, I prefer the suspension characteristics whilst under the load of a pillion and/or luggage. It just seems to smooth things out and I get that genuine 'magic carpet ride' feel. I am 15.5 stone but it's all muscle.

By all means, get it checked out to ensure you haven't got a fault but I notice it much less now and would rather have a bit of 'bounce' than a harsh response.

 

[JerseyNeil]

I’m a very similar weight to you Littleade.
I have a 2017 Rallye sport and I also find the road setting ‘springy’ but don’t find it an issue. If I want to push on I put the bike into dynamic and it is perfect. Road mode is after all designed to be plush and comfy.
I do agree with others that we might be a tad light for the ESA as when I am loaded up with luggage it does feel more planted. This does not make me feel the need to put on weight though
Always good to ask your dealer to check it for piece of mind but sounds okay to me. I enjoy the ‘bounce’ when cruising along and even if I do plough hero-like into a bend it handles just fine. Just a different feeling to dynamic. After all if both setting felt the same you would be asking about that too

 

[littleade]

I sounds to me like the rear shock is knackered, go and try another bike for comparison. I have had 3 shocks replaced across 2 bikes, they can fail for allsorts of reasons, damping, preload or electronics.
Inform your dealer of your concerns so it is on record, you should then be ok for replacement if the bike falls out of warranty.
I have since gone the route of the Touratech ESA shock no longer bouncy bouncy.
I wonder if it is lack of weight on the suspension, I weight 11.5st with kit and it was never enough to activate the auto preload whish would mean the damping was on its minimum settings. If I rode stupid fast the D ESA would do its thing but it was never enough in ROAD damping, I rode in Dynamic damping in all modes.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll inform them when I book it in for it's health check and see if I can take a 1250 out if one's available

 

[littleade]

I’m a very similar weight to you Littleade.
I have a 2017 Rallye sport and I also find the road setting ‘springy’ but don’t find it an issue. If I want to push on I put the bike into dynamic and it is perfect. Road mode is after all designed to be plush and comfy.
I do agree with others that we might be a tad light for the ESA as when I am loaded up with luggage it does feel more planted. This does not make me feel the need to put on weight though
Always good to ask your dealer to check it for piece of mind but sounds okay to me. I enjoy the ‘bounce’ when cruising along and even if I do plough hero-like into a bend it handles just fine. Just a different feeling to dynamic. After all if both setting felt the same you would be asking about that too

Thanks, interesting you find yours perfect in Dynamic which suggests there may be something wrong with mine, so we'll see what the dealer says......

 

[Buzzbomb]

Me 85kg and also find road mode standard setting bouncy on my 19 plate rallye te so mostly run in dynamic suspension setting, dual carriageway etc is fine with a bit of bounce but I just prefer it a bit more taught, on the twisties in bouncy mode you just have to be smoother and more planned about your lines etc then everything equals out, I have the standard Anakee adventures on and have no complaints and find them a very neutral ride so not effecting the ride quality. Overall I think if it’s as it should be without a mechanical fault etc it just boils down to rider preference, I did previous to this have a 2016 R12Gs Te with esa1 and find the new set up altogether better and more refined and wholly more capable / compliant, I did on my old bike decide to “fiddle” with the settings while waiting at a set of traffic lights and being a more vertically challenged rider (5’9”) had an awkward moment as the bike jacked itself up lifting my feet on the ends of my short ish legs dangling off the ground while I hurriedly panicked to get it back in rider only mode shocker haha won’t get that on this bike hey !!

 

[littleade]

Me 85kg and also find road mode standard setting bouncy on my 19 plate rallye te so mostly run in dynamic suspension setting, dual carriageway etc is fine with a bit of bounce but I just prefer it a bit more taught, on the twisties in bouncy mode you just have to be smoother and more planned about your lines etc then everything equals out, I have the standard Anakee adventures on and have no complaints and find them a very neutral ride so not effecting the ride quality. Overall I think if it’s as it should be without a mechanical fault etc it just boils down to rider preference, I did previous to this have a 2016 R12Gs Te with esa1 and find the new set up altogether better and more refined and wholly more capable / compliant, I did on my old bike decide to “fiddle” with the settings while waiting at a set of traffic lights and being a more vertically challenged rider (5’9”) had an awkward moment as the bike jacked itself up lifting my feet on the ends of my short ish legs dangling off the ground while I hurriedly panicked to get it back in rider only mode shocker haha won’t get that on this bike hey !!

As you say it may just be rider preference as to me the 2 settings road and dynamic sit between the 3 on ESA1. FWIW the times I noticed it more than others was when the bike was banked over with the engine just pulling on a constant radius so I think it was more a case of the bike not being able to cope with the changes in undulation in that road surface. If you want the same traffic light feeling on your new one just select max rather than auto on the ESA