Touratech ESA Replacement Suspension 1250 GS (or Ohlins)

[roundincircles]

Has anyone experience of these units ?

If so can you describe how they change ride qualities in comparison with standard units.

At Euro 3000 they are a big ask.

 

[Warlord]

In my opinion, the standard ESA setup is very good but only if your riding weight is around 80-85kg

If you weigh more, then the rear spring needs replacing with something more suitable with your weight. Yes the standard spring is designed for pillion and luggage, but it's not ideal to be on max preload with just you on it.

However, in my experience, the BMW ESA kit is cheap quality and mine started to fail around 15000 miles from new.

If you want the best setup, spend the money on Touratech ESA. Mainly because it's compatible with your electronics, serviceable, setup to your exact weight and easy to use.

Avoid Ohlins Manual TTX shocks as I have those and they are a pain in the arse to set up. Really time consuming. Ohlins say they are infinately adjustable, like its a benefit.... no, its a curse.

If I had my choice again, I'd go for the Touratech setup.

Ohlins is also very good (as you would expect) but a pain in the arse to get it set up.

 

[Warlord]

Just to add.... with my Ohlins, you can make it as hard or as soft as you like..... but once it's set, you can't change it until you are off the bike.

It is a quality setup, but the biggest differences will be from spring weight change, or if its replacing very worn or old ESA Kit.

I would not recommend it unless you are very patient or a very experienced suspension nerd.

 

[buncobooth]

Just so you know, the same units (which are made by Tractive) are available from either Rally Raid or Race Shocks in the UK or ESA Repair in Holland. These are slightly less blingy than the Touratech versions but exactly the same units. I think they are a bit cheaper. I have just bought a pair for a Hexhead and about to fit them so looking forward to seeing what difference they make to my stock 70,000 mile units !

 

[stick]

I have the TT set up , and it works superbly and for me is well worth the cost. I don't do off road but would imagine that on the rough stuff again it would shine .
I still had to dial in the Low speed Comp as my style prefers a firm setup , so I altered by 1 click Hi and 4 to 5 clicks Low comp job done.
Not sure of your weights etc but TT will sort all out for you. Hope this helps

 

[roundincircles]

Thanks for your response.

I weigh 100 kilo and my pillon about 60 kilo plus say 30 kilo luggage. When on my own in the mountains (3 x per year) I ride fairly hard and its the rear shock that knocking my back out.

This is Touratech recommended set up

Touratech Suspension DDA / Plug&Travel Set
Front:
springrate: 55N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 13mm
compression HS: 12 clicks open
compression LS: 12 clicks open
Rear:
springrate: 170N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 11mm
compression HS: 10 clicks open
compression LS: 10 clicks open

I had ohlins suspension on a Multistrada and it was the best suspension I have had with great ride quality but it kept the wheels controlled during fast riding loaded up.

 

[Warlord]

If you do go with Ohlins, make sure you specify 1250 model. The 1200 model is a slightly different height, so I've been told.

If you bought 1200 model ohlins, you can send them away to be reshimmed apparently, to then fit the 1250 bikes.

So mine can be tweaked and refitted to 1250 if necessary

 

[stick]

Thanks for your response.

I weigh 100 kilo and my pillon about 60 kilo plus say 30 kilo luggage. When on my own in the mountains (3 x per year) I ride fairly hard and its the rear shock that knocking my back out.

This is Touratech recommended set up

Touratech Suspension DDA / Plug&Travel Set
Front:
springrate: 55N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 13mm
compression HS: 12 clicks open
compression LS: 12 clicks open
Rear:
springrate: 170N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 11mm
compression HS: 10 clicks open
compression LS: 10 clicks open

I had ohlins suspension on a Multistrada and it was the best suspension I have had with great ride quality but it kept the wheels controlled during fast riding loaded up.

This is my set up , and you still have the auto pre load function as well.
I was told that I may need to find the setting for the two up + luggage but I found the one up setting within 1/2 days riding so should be easy enough to sort, I have not used it two up yet with luggage but hope the settings I have now from the recommended with stay the same.

Touratech Suspension DDA / Plug&Travel Set
Front:
springrate: 50N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 9mm
compression HS: 13 clicks open
compression LS: 14 clicks open
Rear:
springrate: 160N/mm
free length of spring: 205mm
spring preload: 14mm
compression HS: 11 clicks open
compression LS: 14 clicks open

Good luck.

 

[stick]

Where are you based as you can have a go on mine if you would like to see how it feels. I could dial it back to the settings you have , maybe not the spring rate but close. Should give you an idea.
I have just got back from a Spain tour and the bike for me was so much better for me. I noticed the bike was more settled and could be pushed a lot harder than before.
One rider with me ( a guy I ride with most weekends ) said he could see the bike was more planted , we swapped he rode it and agreed with me that it just worked faster than the standard system and found more grip and followed the lines better as it was un flustered at pace.
Lower speeds very similar to the standard but just felt more plush , even tho it was set harder .To me the price was worth it , but bikes are my one pleasure and passion , from road to race , on and off road.. just getting older now ..

 

[CPJS]

I have just the rear shock on my '17 1200, fitted by my dealer, Wollastons at Northampton.
I weigh 11st 4lb with kit and the Doris 10st 4lb with kit, luggage 35 kilos.
I went with the std TT spring as I did not want to compromise the solo riding with too strong a spring.
I have just got back from a 3000ml trip round Spain,Portugal and France.
This setup provided just what I was after, the extra spring has maintained the ride height which keeps the front firmly planted and gives grip I could only dream of before, those French Bis roads with the big camber and shiny patches in the wet were a revelation, the bike felt more planted than it did solo on the old suspension.
I have not had the chance to do much solo riding as the shock was fitted just before this last trip, just a 50ml ride back from the dealer but it felt fine.
Setting up the Hi and Lo compression damping was easy, I would add an extra click here and there when stopped for coffee or lunch and soon had it dialed in.
I feel that for me the front end is ok with the std BMW set up as it has been improved hugely because of the better control of the rear, no weaving and bouncing.
Money well spent? oh yes.
1. The missus said the bike felt better.
2. The shock is repairable/servicable
3. The shock is transferable to the next bike or sold.

 

[Bem]

Has anyone experience of these units ?

If so can you describe how they change ride qualities in comparison with standard units.

At Euro 3000 they are a big ask.

Its the fine details that you notice - it doesn't squat or pump down over continuous bumps, the front and rear feel connected, the ease of changing setup for passenger or luggage.
If you hit a big bump you are still going to know it, but ill will be better dealt with.
Given that your estimated weights are at the upper limits then you will notice the benefit.
I just shut my eyes to the bill, and thought about how much cheaper it was than trading in for a 1250.

 

[Mr Bean]

If you want the best setup, spend the money on Touratech ESA. Mainly because it's compatible with your electronics, serviceable, setup to your exact weight and easy to use.

Avoid Ohlins Manual TTX shocks as I have those and they are a pain in the arse to set up. Really time consuming. Ohlins say they are infinately adjustable, like its a benefit.... no, its a curse.

If I had my choice again, I'd go for the Touratech setup.

Ohlins is also very good (as you would expect) but a pain in the arse to get it set up.

Thank you.

It often seems unusual for folks to give open and honest assessment of a big outlay...

If I still have my 1250 when the shocks are fubar'd then Touratech may well get my money.

 

[Warlord]

Thank you.

It often seems unusual for folks to give open and honest assessment of a big outlay...

If I still have my 1250 when the shocks are fubar'd then Touratech may well get my money.

That's what I would do

 

[bmsouls]

Suspension

Thank you.

It often seems unusual for folks to give open and honest assessment of a big outlay...

If I still have my 1250 when the shocks are fubar'd then Touratech may well get my money.

Seeing that all the experts are on i am going to ask a question please dont shoot me down.I have a 2019 1250 gs exclusive bought in march now with 4000 miles on, i find the suspension in road /auto a bit soggy?? if i switch to dynamic/auto its better if the road surface is good but to hard on an uneven road.Last weekend the wife and i did 800 miles round scotland in really naff weather but having the suspension in dynamic/auto with wife and luggage the bike felt perfect.is this down to the spring weight? I am even considering ordering a basic bike for next year and putting good manual suspension on all views welcome.

 

[CPJS]

If I still have my 1250 when the shocks are fubar'd then Touratech may well get my money.

I would do it straight away, so you have a workable shock to put back on when you sell.
If you much two up riding then the benifit is even more noticable as the std shock is easily overwhelmed.

 

[Warlord]

Seeing that all the experts are on i am going to ask a question please dont shoot me down.I have a 2019 1250 gs exclusive bought in march now with 4000 miles on, i find the suspension in road /auto a bit soggy?? if i switch to dynamic/auto its better if the road surface is good but to hard on an uneven road.Last weekend the wife and i did 800 miles round scotland in really naff weather but having the suspension in dynamic/auto with wife and luggage the bike felt perfect.is this down to the spring weight? I am even considering ordering a basic bike for next year and putting good manual suspension on all views welcome.

You could potentially look at Wilbers, see if they can just respring your ESA kit.

That would be a good immediate solution.

 

[CPJS]

Seeing that all the experts are on i am going to ask a question please dont shoot me down.I have a 2019 1250 gs exclusive bought in march now with 4000 miles on, i find the suspension in road /auto a bit soggy?? if i switch to dynamic/auto its better if the road surface is good but to hard on an uneven road.Last weekend the wife and i did 800 miles round scotland in really naff weather but having the suspension in dynamic/auto with wife and luggage the bike felt perfect.is this down to the spring weight? I am even considering ordering a basic bike for next year and putting good manual suspension on all views welcome.

I would go with the TT setup as you still have the full use of the D-ESA with a better quality shock.

 

[Mr Bean]

I would do it straight away, so you have a workable shock to put back on when you sell.
If you much two up riding then the benifit is even more noticable as the std shock is easily overwhelmed.

I'm okay with the standard units as it - for now. The wife is pillion for around 10% of the miles these days and as I don't ride too briskly when she's pillion (and knowing my recent luck) I'm happy to leave as is.

The Wilbers rear on my hexhead RT was distinctly better than the std 35k miles original.

 

[CPJS]

Seeing that all the experts are on i am going to ask a question please dont shoot me down.I have a 2019 1250 gs exclusive bought in march now with 4000 miles on, i find the suspension in road /auto a bit soggy?? if i switch to dynamic/auto its better if the road surface is good but to hard on an uneven road.Last weekend the wife and i did 800 miles round scotland in really naff weather but having the suspension in dynamic/auto with wife and luggage the bike felt perfect.is this down to the spring weight? I am even considering ordering a basic bike for next year and putting good manual suspension on all views welcome.

I would go with the TT setup as you still have the full use of the D-ESA with a better quality shock.

 

[bmsouls]

Thanks i did think of going down that route just was unsure what was up? Everybody that has esa just seems to think its superb but i cant seem to get it where i want to be.