Conventional wisdom would say that there is no way that a S10 shock with only a 440 pound spring would work for even a solo rider. much less for two up and luggage. After all the 745 pound spring in the standard model is barely strong enough to get proper sag with a decent size solo rider. Turns out that the ES does work well with that weaker spring and for the 4 load conditions available from one up to two up with luggage. I don't pretend to know how it works, but the fact is that it does. The shop manual doesn't explain how it works that magic, at least I haven't found it there. The one indication I have found is this chart that shows that with each increase in preload, the damping is changed. It indicated that hydraulic damping is changed enough to accommodate the various loads. For instance the soft setting while two up with luggage is about the same as the hard setting when one up.
I spent considerable $$ on my 12 trying to get suspension setup that was what I was looking for, which was a compliant ride while also providing good handling on sporty twisty roads. I first went with Penske front and back and then Ohlins front and back. While they both were better than stock, I still wasn't entirely happy with what I had. A lot depends on how well you are able to explain to your initial setup person what you are looking for and then your talent in reading what the suspension is telling you and then what corrective action to take to make the proper adjustment. I sometimes was able to attain that for a particular condition and I sometimes ended up going the wrong way or had it set fine for bumpy back roads, but not so good for smooth twistes, etc. I don't pretend to be a suspension expert, but I do know when I have suspension that works for me.
On my first multi day trip to my favorite Ozark back roads with my 14 ES I was a very happy rider. I was able to play with the suspension with a push button and find what I was looking for with any road condition or load I had on the bike. I could adjust the damping while riding down a bumpy road to see what each setting did for me and then change it when I wanted to see how it worked on a different type of road. The system simply works.
As with many new technologies, it takes a while for all to accept it. Remember how the press and other non believers said that a major drawback with the S10 is that it didn't have an ABS off switch, after all, there is no way that ABS will work off road. Turns out that for the majority of off road riding that many of us do, it works perfectly well, especially if you trust the front brakes. The next generation of S10 suspension may well be the auto adjustment feature that some bikes have now and some of us may take a while before we trust that it can actually work.
Are there disadvantages of the ES system? I have found one. I had my ES parked in my garage directly in front of my riding mower. Instead of walking around to get to the other side, I stepped between them and put some weight on the rear rack of the S10 that was parked on the sidestand. To my surprise and dismay, I watched the bike fall over on the right side. The windscreen hit some shelves and broke the screen bracket. That cost me a bit, as that assembly is what the whole front instruments, etc are attached to. I have since learned to be careful when it is on the sidestand, especially if I had left the suspension in the solo setting. Evidently with the bike not running, you do not have the same hydraulic force that it has when running, so all you have is the light spring keeping it upright. If you have a chance, to check out an ES, carefully rock the bike while it is on the sidestand and you will see what I mean.
So, while I am far from a suspension expert, I know what I want and that is my understanding and impression of the ES system. Bottom line, is that after trying expensive alternatives on my 12, I am extremely happy with my ES and that is all that matters to me, regardless of what those that have not tried it believe.
This is another example of one of the sayings in my signature, by the way.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. ;D
