To ES or not to ES

[Davidr8]

That is the question. B. Shakespeare ;-)

Seriously though, looking through the ads on ADV Rider reveals a plethora of Gen 1 bikes and precious few Gen 2.

I'm not really keen on dropping $14K (including my trade) on a new bike.

I'm looking for opinions on the range of suspension adjustment available on the Gen 1 bikes. Can it be easily dialled in for a comfortable ride over rough pavement roads?

I've never had adjustable suspension other than rear shock preload and rebound adjustments. Even then it's a pain as the seat has to come off to adjust preload and I'm on my hands and knees to fiddle with rebound (which I've never changed as it's been set ok for me.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nikolajsen]

The front is easy to access, but tools needed.
The back is adjustable for preload with hand wheel, and is easy. The rebound is in the button af damper, and you need to get on your knees...but you can do it with your fingers. Compression can't be adjusted in the back.

 

[hobdayd]

Buy the ES. I change settings on the move regularly dependant on liading, mood and road surface.

 

[Gigitt]

When I was looking I felt the cost difference between the ES and Non-ES was not worth a non-ES.

In Australia the Non-ES you have to add:
Centerstand
Heated Grips
rear grab handles
rear seat is sports and thinner than ES rear seat.

The rear grab handles are needed if you want to use the stock panniers... hence an added cost to install the panniers - but not if you choose different cases.

I like the ES and even through Im 320lb neked. It still works well and complient for me.

 

[imsteveiv]

To ES or not? It depends. I had a 2012 non-es and now have a 2016 ES. I regularly ride both with and without a passenger and both with and without luggage for these reasons the ES is worth it. With the non-es I had set it up pretty stiff as if there was a passenger and luggage and just left it this way. With the ES I change the preload regularly and I'll regularly change the settings from soft-std-hard while riding depending on the road I'm on and how relaxed I want the ride. When on a bumpy road I'll change from std-soft and its really cool how all of the sudden the road feels much smoother. So if you dont expect to be changing the riding weight often IE luggage and passenger I'd say non-es is alright but if you do change the weight the ES really helps.

 

[RicoChet]

At this stage of the game, I wouldn't consider getting a non-ES at all!! You want the ES... trust me... The ability to be able to just press a button or 2 and get Super Soft Plush suspension on hard/bumpy roads and then pressing some more buttons to get super stiff and rigid suspension for highway or twisties is something that is awesome to behold. Don't forget that the ES adds heated grips as well, something I've come to appreciate very much in the colder climates.

I've used the ES settings for suspensions many times to compare between them and you 100% can tell the difference in handling and ride quality. It's totally worth it.

 

[Sierra1]

Buy the ES. I change settings on the move regularly dependant on liading, mood and road surface.

::026:: And I'm guy that has always bought the base model of everything. My wife rides with me at least once a week, and the roads here range from great to s**t. To me, the price difference was an investment; I don't plan to sell/trade for many years. I was able to get a new ES for the price of a non-ES. There's been several guys on here that found a great deal, and taken a flight to pick it up; and then drove it home. Keep searching for the one you want.

 

[troop]

That is the question I also ask myself. I ride 100% solo and will only ride with top case/packed duffel bags up to 14 days/year. And that will only add approx 25#. If I can track down a new ES w/in $800 of a non ES, I'll spring for it. Otherwise we'll see....

 

[Davidr8]

Thanks everyone for your great feedback. I've come to see it as a benefit to owning an S10!

Imsteveiv described my situation exactly:
I ride solo and two up weekly. The Tiger is always at max preload because it's such a pain to change it.

When we rode the BMW GSA with ESA (hah!) we were pretty amazed by the difference between comfort, normal and sport settings.
It was so obvious that when I switched it to sport she asked if I'd changed the setting.

I looked on the Wilbers site to see if the did ESA conversions as I was sure I'd seen something there. Couldn't find it though.

I will bide my time and keep looking!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Davidr8]

That is the question I also ask myself. I ride 100% solo and will only ride with top case/packed duffel bags up to 14 days/year. And that will only add approx 25#. If I can track down a new ES w/in $800 of a non ES, I'll spring for it. Otherwise we'll see....

If I rode solo 100% of the time I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be conflicted about which to get.
Part of my challenge is that there are few used Gen 2's that I can find in Canada so will have to import which is a pain.
My Tiger is a US spec bike and I'm always annoyed that the speedometer is in MPH. I added a digital bicycle speedometer which I use instead.
Though in reading the S10 manual online it looks like I can change the speedometer units to KMpH.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DonB]

Not so fast! The Gen 1 has a great fork. Wide range of adjust-ability. The rear shock is not that bad either. For $350 or so Norwest can spring and damp it for your needs. Great capability now.

Plus to make changes its just a handle knob change for preload and a twist for rebound. The changes to put those in usable adjustment range are fantastic.

A Gen 1 can be had for a steal and with the 14 clutch basket is a great bike.

Don

 

[Davidr8]

Not so fast! The Gen 1 has a great fork. Wide range of adjust-ability. The rear shock is not that bad either. For $350 or so Norwest can spring and damp it for your needs. Great capability now.

Plus to make changes its just a handle knob change for preload and a twist for rebound. The changes to put those in usable adjustment range are fantastic.

A Gen 1 can be had for a steal and with the 14 clutch basket is a great bike.

Don

Thanks Don, I appreciate your perspective.
If there's easily accessible adjustable compression and rebound damping plus preload that is definitely a plus for a Gen 1

I'm assuming the ES does not adjust the front fork on the fly?

What is the reason for a Gen 2 clutch basket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RicoChet]

You have to come to a complete stop to change the settings, but once you do, any setting you choose takes less then 1 second to change and you can be on your way.

 

[hobdayd]

Only for preload

 

[Davidr8]

Only for preload

Quite right.
Changing preload on the GSA FROM one helmet to two helmets etc. also requires stopping. Damping adjustments (comfort, normal, sport) can be done underway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nikolajsen]

On a ES model I believe you can adjust everything on the fly.

And I also believe that there isn't any differense on the adjustment possibillities on gen 1 and gen 2. (non ES)
In other words the way you adjust gen 1 and gen 2 are the same, when we are talking a non ES model. And the possibilities are also the same....maybe the spring/damper is different, but not the possibilities.

 

[DryRider]

On my ES 2014 you cannot adjust all the settings on the fly Just...soft, standard and hard. Bike needs to be running and stopped to adjust the other settings for passenger and luggage settings and that makes sense because you can feel the bike raising up when you adjust that...I don't think they want you going down the road when that happens.

 

[Davidr8]

On my ES 2014 you cannot adjust all the settings on the fly Just...soft, standard and hard. Bike needs to be running and stopped to adjust the other settings for passenger and luggage settings and that makes sense because you can feel the bike raising up when you adjust that...I don't think they want you going down the road when that happens.

That's the same as the GSA.
Preload changes are done stopped, damping on the fly.
Makes sense really, no need to change preload (go from two helmets to one) underway unless you lose your passenger and don't plan on turning around!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nikolajsen]

On my ES 2014 you cannot adjust all the settings on the fly Just...soft, standard and hard. Bike needs to be running and stopped to adjust the other settings for passenger and luggage settings and that makes sense because you can feel the bike raising up when you adjust that...I don't think they want you going down the road when that happens.

UPS...sorry, I wasn't sure but I thought, why not on the fly. As you might have guessed min is not the ES model, in Denmark the price difference is about 6666$
If I was Yamaha ingeneer, I would have done it
Do you also need to get off the bike, so there isn't the weight on the bike, when the adjustment take place?

 

[DryRider]

I think they say you should but I never get off. ::021:: is what I try to do