Could the electronically-adjustable suspension on BMW’s 1200 GS ESA be better?
Given the high-tech nature – and expense – of the system on the big Beemer adventure bike, this is a question you won’t hear most people asking. But, aftermarket suspension builder Ohlins has decided to build a $3,279 upgrade for the BMW anyway.
Ohlins claims their mechatronic suspension is the world’s first aftermarket electronic suspension system. It’s certainly pretty impressive; riders can use the interact with the system using their bike’s existing controls and display, as the system interfaces directly with the BMW’s OEM Electronic Control Unit.
There’s more to the system than some wiring wizardry, though; beside the electronic brain and the wiring harness, the system also features TTX shocks front and rear.
As with any good electronic suspension system, you can adjust your ride on the fly. However, if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to press all those buttons, you can just set the suspension to its comfort mode, and it will do all the thinking for you. It starts in Comfort mode, shifts to Normal mode once your speed hits 80 km/h, then shifts again to Sport mode once you hit 120 km/h.
If a rider wants to monkey around with their spring rates, you can change the system’s springs for other units from an Ohlins suspension centre; the centres are also able to service and maintain the units.
