Ohlins ESA

[coolrider]

I got a chance to install the new Ohlins ESA on R1200GS.
It's a very interesting stuff.
Here are some pictures for you guys to see.



Rear Shock from left side


Rear Shock from behind


Front Shock from left side


Front Shock from front side

[RickC]

Those look really nice, $3200.00 is not to bad for the set.

[RickC]

We are expecting the test ride report.

[coolrider]

First of all, pardon me if my English is not good.
First impression prior to test ride. Compared to stock suspension, this Ohlins ESA makes the bike sits higher. I feel I need to tip toe more.
Head lamp beam is also going down indicating that now the rear sits higher than the front.
Sag measurement indicates that front free sag and "loaded" sag are more than Ohlins recommendation listed in the Installation manual. The front shock is manually adjustable, so it's easily corrected.
The rear free sag is correct, but "loaded" sag is less than recommendation.
I think my 165 lbs body weight contributes to this incorrect "loaded" sag.

During ride test with One Up Preload mode and Comf-Norm-Sport Damping mode, I think this Ohlins ESA is generally on firmer side compared to stock and the bike felt more steady. Cornering on tarmac is definitely more stable and easy. Especially in sport mode when it automatically increases the rear suspension height via spring preload increase.
But, to be honest, sometimes I'm missing the relaxed low speed soft and nice ride of stock Comf mode.

No off road experience yet. Sorry.
I have not road tested the preload mode other than One Up (rider only).

This table shows how Ohlins changes the rear preload, measured at spring seat in various preload and damping modes.