RE: ESA - 2

I'm concluding that I am just too light for the ESA on my bike to perform as well as it might.

Zitat von Ray im Beitrag #16

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I'm concluding that I am just too light for the ESA on my bike to perform as well as it might.

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Thanks Andy. Is that a realistic proposition whilst retaining the fnctionality of the ESA? I have to say I prefer Wessie's suggestion and am currently working on it a bit during lockdown.

Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von Exgser im Beitrag #1

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I've just bought a sport version of the 1250 (non ESA) and have noticed that all reviews rave about the ESA settings. I've not picked the bike up tho have test rode it (found it a bit wallowy tho tweaks should sort that). My question is is ESA something I'll miss, most of my 1200 GS's didnt have it tho the 700 did so I'm not entirely sure .. any thoughts ?

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You will certainly have a rare bike as I think only a tiny minority of BMWs which can come with ESA are actually bought without it. I know @Boxerboy55 on here loves his analogue RS and has had it since 2015-ish. The ESA shocks are expensive if they go wrong - out of warranty - and add complexity to the bike. Arguably if you rarely take a pillion and rarely load with luggage you should be fine once you find a good setting. BUT, if you do take either then there ESA is a massive plus and even if you don't then the ability to adjust damping on the fly adds a another dimension to a ride. Depends how old school you are ?
I have had 2 x ESA bikes and really like it. Is it as good as an Ohlins shod bike that is well set up ? Possibly not but the variability of the ESA set up comes out on top for me for all riding. And the 1250 has a self levelling aspect I think which means its even better than my 1200RS.
Last point - resale value will be better with a fully equipped bike.

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Zitat von Elmer J Fudd im Beitrag #20

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von Exgser im Beitrag #1

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I've just bought a sport version of the 1250 (non ESA) and have noticed that all reviews rave about the ESA settings. I've not picked the bike up tho have test rode it (found it a bit wallowy tho tweaks should sort that). My question is is ESA something I'll miss, most of my 1200 GS's didnt have it tho the 700 did so I'm not entirely sure .. any thoughts ?

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You will certainly have a rare bike as I think only a tiny minority of BMWs which can come with ESA are actually bought without it. I know @Boxerboy55 on here loves his analogue RS and has had it since 2015-ish. The ESA shocks are expensive if they go wrong - out of warranty - and add complexity to the bike. Arguably if you rarely take a pillion and rarely load with luggage you should be fine once you find a good setting. BUT, if you do take either then there ESA is a massive plus and even if you don't then the ability to adjust damping on the fly adds a another dimension to a ride. Depends how old school you are ?
I have had 2 x ESA bikes and really like it. Is it as good as an Ohlins shod bike that is well set up ? Possibly not but the variability of the ESA set up comes out on top for me for all riding. And the 1250 has a self levelling aspect I think which means its even better than my 1200RS.
Last point - resale value will be better with a fully equipped bike.

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I suspect the figure is more than you imagine.

I deliberately bought the base model and only added a centre stand and heated grips at purchase. Givii panniers were added later as well as a higher screen. Spent ages on a test ride trying all the gizmos and decided I could do without them.

Absolutely no techy toys as I don't use them, not even cruise control.

Sure, the resale figure will be lower, however by not up-speccing the bike in the first place and having depreciation on the toys, I have already saved more than the loss in resale value.

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Zitat von himoverthere im Beitrag #21

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Zitat von Elmer J Fudd im Beitrag #20

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von Exgser im Beitrag #1

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I've just bought a sport version of the 1250 (non ESA) and have noticed that all reviews rave about the ESA settings. I've not picked the bike up tho have test rode it (found it a bit wallowy tho tweaks should sort that). My question is is ESA something I'll miss, most of my 1200 GS's didnt have it tho the 700 did so I'm not entirely sure .. any thoughts ?

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You will certainly have a rare bike as I think only a tiny minority of BMWs which can come with ESA are actually bought without it. I know @Boxerboy55 on here loves his analogue RS and has had it since 2015-ish. The ESA shocks are expensive if they go wrong - out of warranty - and add complexity to the bike. Arguably if you rarely take a pillion and rarely load with luggage you should be fine once you find a good setting. BUT, if you do take either then there ESA is a massive plus and even if you don't then the ability to adjust damping on the fly adds a another dimension to a ride. Depends how old school you are ?
I have had 2 x ESA bikes and really like it. Is it as good as an Ohlins shod bike that is well set up ? Possibly not but the variability of the ESA set up comes out on top for me for all riding. And the 1250 has a self levelling aspect I think which means its even better than my 1200RS.
Last point - resale value will be better with a fully equipped bike.

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I suspect the figure is more than you imagine.

I deliberately bought the base model and only added a centre stand and heated grips at purchase. Givii panniers were added later as well as a higher screen. Spent ages on a test ride trying all the gizmos and decided I could do without them.

Absolutely no techy toys as I don't use them, not even cruise control.

Sure, the resale figure will be lower, however by not up-speccing the bike in the first place and having depreciation on the toys, I have already saved more than the loss in resale value.

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I didn't buy my bike to save money, I bought it to ride it and paid cash for the privilege. Thought that if I did with out any singular toy then I might regret it so had them all. I saved money buying the bike because I bought it in the UK tax free and imported it into France paying the VAT (TVA) here. Saved around €2500 on the French price.

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Ted Porter's Beemer shop is the place to call for springs, ESA repair or suspension upgrade. Google him, tell him you issues and he'll give you suggestions. The right springs to your weigh are easy, keeping your ESA just add $$.

Zitat von Elmer J Fudd im Beitrag #20

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Absolutely no techy toys as I don't use them, not even cruise control.

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Zitat von Freddyfruitbat im Beitrag #24

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Zitat von Elmer J Fudd im Beitrag #20

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Absolutely no techy toys as I don't use them, not even cruise control.

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If you don't use them and have never had them, dare I say maybe you don't know what you're missing, then?
My RS is the first bike I've ever had with cruise control, and I can categorically say that I will now never buy another bike that doesn't have it. Just for the ability to give my ageing right hand a brief rest while riding, as I've always been able to with my left - a game changer for me.

(Same applies to the shaft drive, though for different reasons!)

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Zitat von Elmer J Fudd im Beitrag #20

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von Exgser im Beitrag #1

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I've just bought a sport version of the 1250 (non ESA) and have noticed that all reviews rave about the ESA settings. I've not picked the bike up tho have test rode it (found it a bit wallowy tho tweaks should sort that). My question is is ESA something I'll miss, most of my 1200 GS's didnt have it tho the 700 did so I'm not entirely sure .. any thoughts ?

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You will certainly have a rare bike as I think only a tiny minority of BMWs which can come with ESA are actually bought without it. I know @Boxerboy55 on here loves his analogue RS and has had it since 2015-ish. The ESA shocks are expensive if they go wrong - out of warranty - and add complexity to the bike. Arguably if you rarely take a pillion and rarely load with luggage you should be fine once you find a good setting. BUT, if you do take either then there ESA is a massive plus and even if you don't then the ability to adjust damping on the fly adds a another dimension to a ride. Depends how old school you are ?
I have had 2 x ESA bikes and really like it. Is it as good as an Ohlins shod bike that is well set up ? Possibly not but the variability of the ESA set up comes out on top for me for all riding. And the 1250 has a self levelling aspect I think which means its even better than my 1200RS.
Last point - resale value will be better with a fully equipped bike.

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I suspect the figure is more than you imagine.

I deliberately bought the base model and only added a centre stand and heated grips at purchase. Givii panniers were added later as well as a higher screen. Spent ages on a test ride trying all the gizmos and decided I could do without them.

Absolutely no techy toys as I don't use them, not even cruise control.

Sure, the resale figure will be lower, however by not up-speccing the bike in the first place and having depreciation on the toys, I have already saved more than the loss in resale value.

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What I like about my RS's cruise control is that I can set it and then use my right hand to reach the heated grips button.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #15

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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #13

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Zitat von Ray im Beitrag #12

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Zitat von himoverthere im Beitrag #10

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I am about 80kg wet. There is a road near me where the tarmac has been affected by the sun and it has an undulation that runs for a few hundred metres. In Dynamic I feel it, in Road I don't. I never carry passengers nor have I had the bike loaded up yet, so cannot comment on ESA on a heavy bike.

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It's nice to be able to identify a piece of "test" road such as yours. Maybe the R1250RS ESA has been improved since the 2016 R1200RS.

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I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the new R1250RS ESA has been much improved compared with the one installed on the early 2016 RS models. My bike uses Sachs suspension components, but it is my understanding that a few years ago (certainly with the introduction of the 1250 models and perhaps before that with the later 1200 bikes) BMW went back to the Italian suspension company that they had previously used before they dropped them when they ran into rear shock failures when the 2013 1200RT was introduced (if my memory serves).

But Wessie is correct. I only weigh 155 pounds and I do know that when I load my bike up with saddle bags and camping gear, it does ride much smoother. But I really was hoping that BMW could design an ESA system that would compensate better for different loads. No doubt they are approaching that ideal with each new version of ESA.

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Marzocchi presumably? I know the 2020 XR uses Marzocchi.

I think that the WP dynamic suspension used on Triumphs is better than the BMW system, form either maker. You could stick it in the default Road, Rain & Sport modes or select intermediate levels from soft to firm with 9 steps between the extremes.

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One other advantage of ESA that I have mentioned before but does not feature in this thread: If you are vertically challenged and/or want to give yourself more leg space between seat and pedals ESA can be used to good effect on dodgy road surfaces such as wet cobbles and chippings. I have an effective inside leg of 30" but like to ride with the 840mm seat. When riding heavily laden whether full luggage plus or a pillion I can reduce the ride height setting to Minimum. That means I go from coming to rest on a flat road surface just about on the balls of both feet to almost getting both heels down - very reassuring! Of course I can only effect that change once stationary but it is still very useful.

Chris