Upgrading the suspension on a Twin-Cam RT.....

[stanley]

I have a 2012 RT that I've owned since almost new, and have now covered about 18,000 miles on it. The suspension is, and always has been, rubbish.
It has the ESA system on it: when two up and fully loaded it is ok, but on my own (even with a bit of kit) it's shockingly hard. I've just come back from a short tour of Scotland and my lower back is in bits from the constant pounding. My previous RT (2005 with ESA) was much softer than this. It feels like the suspension barely moves at all. I've checked the units; the ESA appears to be working ok.

So I'm considering buying some quality aftermarket shocks; Wilbers or Ohlins seem to be the most popular for these bikes. Has anyone on here changed their suspension units? Any feedback please?
I'm not bothered about losing the ESA but will need a remote preload adjuster.

Cheers

 

[Schtum]

You don't have to lose the ESA if you fit the Wilbers ESA shocks, although I believe you have to send away the ESA units from your original shocks to be fitted to the Wilbers shocks.

 

[stanley]

Hi Schtum, Yep, they cannabalise the original ESA shocks for the stepper motors. I'd prefer to move away from ESA altogether really. I've always found it to be usefully quick to adjust, but far too limited. I'd prefer the freedom to tinker with preload and damping independently of each other.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Whichever way you go i would put my money into wilburs

 

[GSTourer]

Interesting.........as I have a 2010 RT with 23000 miles on the clock (so I believe the shocks will probably be due for a change fairly soon), which is OK by me as I dislike the ESA and quality of ride the shocks give.

I will be keeping the bike and was thinking of going down the 'non ESA,' good quality shock route like yourself.

Will be interesting to see what you choose and how it turns out.

Good luck!

 

[Martyn H]

Done it both ways ( on different bikes ) & I'd recommend the ESA Wilbers. MCT in Suffolk offer ace service.

 

[Our Gee]

I have to agree with you Stanley. I went from a 2008 Hexhead to the 2012 Twin Cam RT and whereas with the Hexhead I used to run with "Normal" setting on the ESA I now find that with the Twin Cam this is too hard for our crappy roads and rarely change from "Comfort". Yet another change from better to worse by BMW.