BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

BMW on their website says that ESA is available for the R12R, but every dealer I speak with has no idea what I am talking about and says it is not an option. Does the community know what the story is ????

from the BMW website:

"The special equipment include safety features such as part integral ABS, ASC and tire pressure control, comfort and tour-oriented features such as ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), case holders and windshield. There are some impressive motorcycle accessories available for the R 1200 R, too, with an extremely light Akrapović exhaust made of titanium, practical system cases and eye-catching chrome cylinder head covers. "
"

The 2013 R1200R "90 Years" we test rode in Las Vegas had ESA. Not certain what to say about your dealer without being insulting.

My buddy's '07 R12R has ESA.

thanks all, I explained to the dealer that ESA is an option and they need to look harder. He now gets it and understands. He found it.

Guess I would wonder about a dealer that does not know about ESA availability on R1200R.

Save your money on ESA and buy some quality aftermarket shocks instead is my vote. While ESA is all about perceived convenience, it's still uses the crappy, cheap Showa shock as all the non-ESA bikes have that are not rebuildable and will need to be replaced in 20-30,000 miles.
If buying the bike brand new, you could easily sell the brand new OEM shocks online and buy Ohlins, Wilber's, or HyperPro custom tailored to your weight and style, saving $$$ over ESA and getting a much better ride. Once you wear them out, just have them rebuilt instead of replacing them with equally expensive, but still low quality shocks. I guarantee the bike will ride better with custom shocks rather than have a computer with standardized settings do it for you.

Now if they would offer the BMW Dynamic cruise control system on the R, THAT would be a touring orientated useful gadget that's worth the money.



**Edit**

Saw you posted up with a new bike, non-ESA. Congrats! I still say sell the OEM shocks while you can get top dollar for barely used shocks and buy aftermarket. Have them setup up to ride how you prefer.

I agree with some of Lost Rider. I don't think the OE shocks are that bad.

I do think the ESA is a bad thing because it only has 3 settings. Most of the time I only adjust my shock by one quarter turn on the damper or adjust the preload in smaller increments than the ESA offers.

ESA offers 3 spring settings and 3 damping settings. I prefer many more.

Adjusting good shocks by one or two clicks may be what is needed, not one of three total settings.

I did ride an 09 RT with ESA. It was bouncy, normal and beat me up stiff for the rebound. I think I am an oddball, I adjust my suspension for weight every trip or when it changes. I adjust the rebound for road and riding conditions.

David