ESA Suspension question

Hi, new forum member here.

I’m thinking of buying a R1200GS. My budget means I’m in for one that’s 7 or 8 years old with 10-20,000 miles on the clock. Reading the reviews I see that Bennett’s Buyers Guide for the 2013-18 states -
Be very wary of ESA-equipped bikes as you can’t rebuild the suspension units, which means a costly new unit if their seals or damping has gone
Can anyone give me advice on this? Has it been a regular issue with older bikes and should it be something I need to budget for when I make my decision? What’s it cost if it needs replacing?

I ride a Multistrada 1200 at the moment and one of the reasons for switching are the eyewatering maintenance costs of running one!

My 2014 gsa bought new had over £10,000 of warranty work in 30 months and 13,000 miles including 2 failed front and 2 failed esa shocks , that is the reason that the 2018 model I replaced it with was non esa as is my new r1250 gsa triple black.

Newer dynamic esa is better, however, still nowhere near as good as decent aftermarket kit set up for your needs ie Ohlins, Wilbers, Maxton etc
 
My 2014 gsa bought new had over £10,000 of warranty work in 30 months and 13,000 miles including 2 failed front and 2 failed esa shocks , that is the reason that the 2018 model I replaced it with was non esa as is my new r1250 gsa triple black.

Newer dynamic esa is better, however, still nowhere near as good as decent aftermarket kit set up for your needs ie Ohlins, Wilbers, Maxton etc
And here’s me thinking my old Multistrada was a bit of a money pit! :eek:
 
Thanks for all of your replies gents.
So, in a nutshell it looks like if I can remove the shock and send it to someone like Denzo or Firefox (assuming they can fit me in), it’s possible to get it repaired at a price that’s manageable. Now all I have to do is make sure I know someone who’ll be able to take it off!

Look it up on YouTube very easy as I did and managed to remove and refit.


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My 2014 gsa bought new had over £10,000 of warranty work in 30 months and 13,000 miles including 2 failed front and 2 failed esa shocks , that is the reason that the 2018 model I replaced it with was non esa as is my new r1250 gsa triple black.

Newer dynamic esa is better, however, still nowhere near as good as decent aftermarket kit set up for your needs ie Ohlins, Wilbers, Maxton etc

Quick question on this if I may?
Did you go for the standard BMW suspension?
Reason for asking - I enquired at the bike show and prior to that after a test ride on a 1250 GSA at piddocks.
Both could not really explain what the standard set up consisted of on a non ESA bike and piddocks said they had never seen one ?
I’m presuming it must be similar to my old 1150 with a C spanner at the front and a adjustable knob and slotted screw on the rear.
I have a 1200TC with ESA and apart from when my misses goes out twice a year - never really alter the settings - I do appreciate the newer esa adjusts all the time to road conditions as well as being able to alter the settings.
Some may say I’m just tight but - if I don’t use it I don’t want it so was looking at specking a basic 1250GSA.
Just interested as to how you get on with the standard BMW setup if that’d what you have ?


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ESA is obviously adding another level of unreliability.

It's a motor in your shock and all the sensors that are needed to make it work.

ESA is a bit of a fad and a gimmick. A properly set up shock with the right spring and valves is still far better than the toys and tricks of ESA.


In my experience, the ESA shocks that are used last better than those which aren't. As in, if you never change the esa settings, they tend to seize up. So if you have an ESA shock "USE IT OR LOSE IT"


You can absolutely rebuild ESA shocks. T-Tech, Fox racing etc. They can all do it for around £200-£250.
 
Quick question on this if I may?
Did you go for the standard BMW suspension?
Reason for asking - I enquired at the bike show and prior to that after a test ride on a 1250 GSA at piddocks.
Both could not really explain what the standard set up consisted of on a non ESA bike and piddocks said they had never seen one ?
I’m presuming it must be similar to my old 1150 with a C spanner at the front and a adjustable knob and slotted screw on the rear.
I have a 1200TC with ESA and apart from when my misses goes out twice a year - never really alter the settings - I do appreciate the newer esa adjusts all the time to road conditions as well as being able to alter the settings.
Some may say I’m just tight but - if I don’t use it I don’t want it so was looking at specking a basic 1250GSA.
Just interested as to how you get on with the standard BMW setup if that’d what you have ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Non esa bikes are special order in UK , dealers make a lower profit margin ?
The standard non esa is when new as good if not better than esa , as confirmed by bmw technicians who have ridden my basic , however, I do have a pair of Maxton shocks which I ran on my last bike for 12 months that will go onto the new 1250 gsa when the warranty runs out
 
ESA is obviously adding another level of unreliability.

It's a motor in your shock and all the sensors that are needed to make it work.

ESA is a bit of a fad and a gimmick. A properly set up shock with the right spring and valves is still far better than the toys and tricks of ESA.


In my experience, the ESA shocks that are used last better than those which aren't. As in, if you never change the esa settings, they tend to seize up. So if you have an ESA shock "USE IT OR LOSE IT"


You can absolutely rebuild ESA shocks. T-Tech, Fox racing etc. They can all do it for around £200-£250.
Isn’t that the point of esa, you don’t need to do anything cos it knows when extra weight is on it automatically
 
Isn’t that the point of esa, you don’t need to do anything cos it knows when extra weight is on it automatically

ESA is not automatic. Although there are ride height sensors, there are no weight sensors. It doesn't know what you weigh or what terrain you will be riding.

Esa works with variable valving. It is clever but it's a very poor substitute to correct spring rates, valving and a quality shock that doesn't piss it's oil out just after your warranty expires.

If you spent the same money sending your new bike to a suspension specialist Instead of giving it to BMW for its unreliable gimmicks, you will have a much better bike in your garage. Set up specifically FOR YOU...
 
My 2014 gsa bought new had over £10,000 of warranty work in 30 months and 13,000 miles including 2 failed front and 2 failed esa shocks , that is the reason that the 2018 model I replaced it with was non esa as is my new r1250 gsa triple black.

Newer dynamic esa is better, however, still nowhere near as good as decent aftermarket kit set up for your needs ie Ohlins, Wilbers, Maxton etc

The amazing thing is that after all that you bought another BMW. :blast
 
I have a Denzo rebuilt ESA unit from a 2013 GS for sale, price £300. It is unused since its rebuild last year.
 
ESA is not automatic. Although there are ride height sensors, there are no weight sensors. It doesn't know what you weigh or what terrain you will be riding.

So what do you think affects the ride height if it isn't the weight of the load sitting on the bike? :blast
 
ESA is not automatic. Although there are ride height sensors, there are no weight sensors. It doesn't know what you weigh or what terrain you will be riding.

Esa works with variable valving. It is clever but it's a very poor substitute to correct spring rates, valving and a quality shock that doesn't piss it's oil out just after your warranty expires.

If you spent the same money sending your new bike to a suspension specialist Instead of giving it to BMW for its unreliable gimmicks, you will have a much better bike in your garage. Set up specifically FOR YOU...

Yes, ESA is automatic. It’s got an auto ride height. This in itself helps set the suspension correctly as it in effect sorts out the preload side of things.
 
Sent him mine this week here’s his contact details
 

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