Would I Be Mad?

[Neil W]

The reason is there are no non ESA models available is due to the likes of me who have an ESA model that has been nothing but f@cking bother , having had numerous technical updates and is still only mediocre.

If I do replace mine with a new GSA model in the future it WILL NOT be fitted with poxy ESA. My older non ESA r12000gsa TC with quality aftermarket suspension would run rings around any of the numerous GSA LC models I have ridden and do it in comfort

My bike was going to me my very long term keeper but not any more .

Dealers did the same thing when I ordered my GSA new, there are no non ESA models in the UK , they cannot give a production date, BMW UK are not importing any non ESA bikes etc etc ...............all utter bollocks.

I would call their bluff (and save money) ,tell them you want a non ESA model and to to give you a delivery date or you will go elsewhere

 

[roamer]

Out of interest does the esa come as a package with other features when specced on a basic bike , what is the list price for this option on the new bikes,
Is your order including any options to the basic spec like heated grips, nav prep etc
I assume the £75 is to change the op mind,
Roamer,

 

[stick]

The reason is there are no non ESA models available is due to the likes of me who have an ESA model that has been nothing but f@cking bother , having had numerous technical updates and is still only mediocre.

If I do replace mine with a new GSA model in the future it WILL NOT be fitted with poxy ESA. My older non ESA r12000gsa TC with quality aftermarket suspension would run rings around any of the numerous GSA LC models I have ridden and do it in comfort

My bike was going to me my very long term keeper but not any more .

Dealers did the same thing when I ordered my GSA new, there are no non ESA models in the UK , they cannot give a production date, BMW UK are not importing any non ESA bikes etc etc ...............all utter bollocks.

I would call their bluff (and save money) ,tell them you want a non ESA model and to to give you a delivery date or you will go elsewhere

Would have to disagree. I had a 2011 TC with full top of the range Wilburs fitted with the esa . Now that bike was brilliant , but for you say thay the new LC with the factory suspension is not good , there is no way that my older TC would keep up my current LC , no fucing way.
Aftermarket is good but the new LC suspension is so much better.

 

[telbenj]

I have a non ESA bike and it's fine you won't tell the difference ! I have toured 2 up with luggage and it was brilliant .You may have a point regarding re sale people seem to only want bikes with it.

I had a 2013 non ESA and thought it was great, until I brought one with ESA I've now had 4 with and 1 without. I wouldn't have the standard set up again the ESA is brilliant no comparison.

Terry

 

[roamer]

The bikes do seem to vary,
There have been a few unhappy with esa for various reasons,
Maybe its just the 4k +price difference to purchase a full spec bike thats driving the basic spec bike sales,
Just look around the showrooms at the shabby corroded used TE bikes ,at more than a poverty spec new one thats in your budget,,
Just because you cant stretch to £16/18k shouldnt leave you living with someone elses neglect, or much older bike with problems looming,
That was my situation,
i wouldnt buy esa but would have it for £75 on a new bike,
Roamer,

 

[sven]

I went down the "poverty spec" route as I didn't need or want a lot of the TE features, especially the £900 LED headlight as I rarely ride after dark and it's expensive to replace if it fails (as opposed to a £7 bulb).

I do like ESA when it's working properly, especially as I ride two-up almost of the time and on a wide variety of roads. I regularly use all three damping settings on a weekend ride and the soft setting is like a magic carpet ride at speeds down some very bumpy roads in the Dales which have tied other bikes suspension in knots

 

[Colt]

You wanted one without ESA for simplicity? thats why you placed your order. It doesn't sound like it was about the extra cost.
So just wait for the order to come through.

Or tell them yes However you want the ESA taken off when the backorder is filled.

You could Become a subscriber on here and you can place a wanted advert for the parts.

 

[twizzle]

last year b4 I went KTM I asked for a "poverty" spec GS and was told that they are build to order only, none in the system and would have a wait time of three- four months..... however this TE spec is only £4k more and available tomorrow.........

I'm keen to look at the Rallye in the next few weeks but would want the £12750 poverty spec.......... suspect none of them are available either.....the dealer has already mentioned I would benefit from the ESA spec version.......

Umm..

 

[unicycler]

i have ordered the full spec rallye. And your are right what you think as he told me he could have mine here in 4-5 weeks as for 1st few months they are only running the ESA fitted bikes as thats were they think the demand will be

 

[J.R.]

What is this thing 'poverty spec'? How ironic is that?

Go for the ESA, £75 well spent

 

[sven]

Mine was a on six week lead-time, but I added dynamic modes after a couple of weeks and that moved delivery back another four weeks. It didn't really matter as I ordered in mid-January, so it arrived at the beginning of April

Three years on, the PCP will be paid off in April and I'll keep it as it's pointless buying a new one with the cost to change being £5-6k, especially as it had a new engine and rear shock absorber last year

 

[luke scott]

Just a thouught, the BMW dealer in Dublin quoted €2,200 to replace the front shock on a mates 1200 after the shock failed. So will ESA be the "servo" of the 1200's ?

It works superbly when it's working. It's a £1600 liability when it fails

Luckily I'd complained about intermittent issues with my rear shock absorber before the 6k service when it was a year old and Allan Jefferies had logged it on their computer, so BMW replaced it free of charge outside the warranty period when it failed completely at 2.5 years old last summer

Is this too hard for you guys to think about ? Seriously, when the bike is four or five years old and the ESA fails this site will be full of "how to remove it yourself " threads like the 1150 servo. Of course I speak as a luddite with a fully servo'd 1150 Adventure.

 

[Neil W]

Disagree , I owned both the non ESA r1200gsa TC fitted with full Maxton suspension for 14 months whilst I also had the new top spec 2014 R1200GSA along side it in the garage.

On identical runs done back to back the older bike always managed the lap quicker in real life and leaving me less tired and stressed ... ride was always plush yet compliant.

On the newer ESA model when pushing on it has a harsh and uncomfortable ride (which some seem to confuse with sporty), mine has had numerous ecu updates and still has issues, it is excellent on smooth motorways but get it on less than perfectly surfaced back roads it is a literal pain in the arse (even on the softer settings)

Now you may say well fit updated shocks BUT in my case the problems are without doubt due to electronic issues (the bits that are refitted to the new shocks ).

I still maintain if you are buying a bike using your own hard earned cash and intend to keep it long after the warranty runs out and after a time where it is no longer financially viable to spend £400 plus a year on an extended BMW warranty then a lower specced bike without the ESA and expensive LED headlight option becomes your best bet

Would have to disagree. I had a 2011 TC with full top of the range Wilburs fitted with the esa . Now that bike was brilliant , but for you say thay the new LC with the factory suspension is not good , there is no way that my older TC would keep up my current LC , no fucing way.
Aftermarket is good but the new LC suspension is so much better.

 

[oldnfat]

The reason is there are no non ESA models available is due to the likes of me who have an ESA model that has been nothing but f@cking bother , having had numerous technical updates and is still only mediocre.

If I do replace mine with a new GSA model in the future it WILL NOT be fitted with poxy ESA. My older non ESA r12000gsa TC with quality aftermarket suspension would run rings around any of the numerous GSA LC models I have ridden and do it in comfort

My bike was going to me my very long term keeper but not any more .

Dealers did the same thing when I ordered my GSA new, there are no non ESA models in the UK , they cannot give a production date, BMW UK are not importing any non ESA bikes etc etc ...............all utter bollocks.

I would call their bluff (and save money) ,tell them you want a non ESA model and to to give you a delivery date or you will go elsewhere

Been there....with you brother!

 

[Edmund Kean]

Thanks to all the contributors on this one, you've all been a great help.

 

[stick]

Disagree , I owned both the non ESA r1200gsa TC fitted with full Maxton suspension for 14 months whilst I also had the new top spec 2014 R1200GSA along side it in the garage.

On identical runs done back to back the older bike always managed the lap quicker in real life and leaving me less tired and stressed ... ride was always plush yet compliant.

On the newer ESA model when pushing on it has a harsh and uncomfortable ride (which some seem to confuse with sporty), mine has had numerous ecu updates and still has issues, it is excellent on smooth motorways but get it on less than perfectly surfaced back roads it is a literal pain in the arse (even on the softer settings)

Now you may say well fit updated shocks BUT in my case the problems are without doubt due to electronic issues (the bits that are refitted to the new shocks ).

I still maintain if you are buying a bike using your own hard earned cash and intend to keep it long after the warranty runs out and after a time where it is no longer financially viable to spend £400 plus a year on an extended BMW warranty then a lower specced bike without the ESA and expensive LED headlight option becomes your best bet

Well we must agree to disagree , must ask which bike did you keep.

 

[sven]

Is this too hard for you guys to think about ? Seriously, when the bike is four or five years old and the ESA fails this site will be full of "how to remove it yourself " threads like the 1150 servo. Of course I speak as a luddite with a fully servo'd 1150 Adventure.

I'm looking forward to the threads Unless I've swapped it for a much simpler and probably better built Japanese bike....

 

[Skid06]

isnt the ESA just the same OEM damper as non ESA, with an electronic device to wind up and down the preload?

 

[Dave h]

Bite there hand off, £75 no brainer

Dave

 

[ChazzyB]

isnt the ESA just the same OEM damper as non ESA, with an electronic device to wind up and down the preload?

Not on the LC bikes, it isn't.

I think it's called Dynamic ESA on the LC range. The damping rate changes according to the engine mode AND you have soft, normal and hard to dial in from the button on the bars. I do use it. I'm sure I feel it firming up between Road and Dynamic engine modes (what's Rain for??), then dial in Hard when really pressing on.