Water GS : Dynamic ESA and Spoke'd Wheel Options , Opinions Please

[pistole]

Hi.

Am on the verge of buying a new water GS and would like the opinion of the inmates here on two things.

First , the Dynamic ESA option. Its an expensive add-on for us over here and am not personally too keen on yet another bit of mecha-electronics on the bike.

So , would those who have ridden both types please comment on the good/bad. Apparently Dynamic ESA is akin to the one on the HP4 / Skyhook , ie , its like an active suspension which changes damping on-the-fly ? Or pure bullocks ?

Second , spoke or sport rims. This is probably discussed (to death probably , knowing you lot) somewhere here and I remember reading some comments linking spoke'd wheels to some kind of high speed instability.

IMHO , with the steering damper added onto the new GSs , BMW probably knows better where the perceived instability comes from .... so , before the pitchforks are broken out , some helpful advice on both types of wheels , please.

My riding is probably going to be 95% road and the other 5% mild off road.

Thanks !

 

[oddshapedballs]

Hi, I can't comment on the new WC but have had two GS's one with nothing (not even ABS) and my current ride a 2012 with everything. The ESA does work, the most obvious change that I notice is changing from normal to sport, I think Ducati's Skyhook does all of the adjustment automatically in micro-seconds as you ride along, something the BMW doesn't, but once set it does work well.
Spokes vs cast wheels; I believe that spokes are by far the preferred choice if you're using it primarily as your off-road bike, on road there's no difference, I've had both and couldn't tell the difference - they both go round eyes:

 

[rattler]

Go for all options or you'll regret it

 

[Paul S]

Go for all options or you'll regret it

Your wallet will certainly regret it

Had wire wheels on my last 3 GS's and not missing them on my latest one

Did go for ESA and it is good - nearly as good as none ESA Wilbers on my last GS

 

[Nutty]

For 95% road riding, cast wheels are best, unless you want to "look" like you're a hardcore adventurer. If you ride different types of roads and take pillions regularly, DESA is fantastic.