ES or Non ES

[yoyo]

Nice pic rider, yup buffeting on the Strom was horrific, not as bad on the S10 but it's noisy compared. Still experimenting but either a bracket/screen/screen extension is going to be needed

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[eddie98]

I'm now having the same dilemma. I found a 14 non ES locally with 3k miles. Been looking for ES but I can't find one close enough to go get it over the weekend.

 

[decooney]

I'm now having the same dilemma. I found a 14 non ES locally with 3k miles. Been looking for ES but I can't find one close enough to go get it over the weekend.

Patience and a willingness to travel a bit further out makes a difference in getting the bike you really want. This gotta-buy-it local constraint sure limits options and results. I have two good friends who will search daily for six months to find a bike "locally" yet they can easily travel for one day and back to get the bike they want, or have it shipped for $295 from a few hundred miles away. The internet is a powerful tool and thinking a little more outside the box helps to find a particular bike at a better price with lower miles. Just sayin'. Good Luck.

 

[Ron Earp]

The electronic suspension, cruise, heated grips, and handles did it for me to make me want the higher spec bike.

I've only owned the ES but I really dig adjusting that suspension. I was on a trip a couple of weeks ago where the pavement became harsh with expansion lines. I dialed it back to soft, softened in more, and the ride was so much better for the next 64 miles.

And cruise control, don't get me started. It is the best thing to happen to a motorcycle. We all end up on a boring stretch of highway sooner or later and the cruise gives you so much more flexibility with fatigue management. And yes, it is a lot better than a cramp buster or throttle lock.

If you can't find an ES local don't forget about Uship. Very good rates there and my buddy has used it three times to move bikes with no troubles. People bid on your job and it's probably the cheapest way to ship a bike. Well worth it.

 

[Bryce]

The electronic suspension, cruise, heated grips, and handles did it for me to make me want the higher spec bike.

I've only owned the ES but I really dig adjusting that suspension. I was on a trip a couple of weeks ago where the pavement became harsh with expansion lines. I dialed it back to soft, softened in more, and the ride was so much better for the next 64 miles.

And cruise control, don't get me started. It is the best thing to happen to a motorcycle. We all end up on a boring stretch of highway sooner or later and the cruise gives you so much more flexibility with fatigue management. And yes, it is a lot better than a cramp buster or throttle lock.

If you can't find an ES local don't forget about Uship. Very good rates there and my buddy has used it three times to move bikes with no troubles. People bid on your job and it's probably the cheapest way to ship a bike. Well worth it.

Cruise is on all the 2014+ bikes, ES or not (at least US spec does).
The factory heated grips are an easy install - about $200 if you order parts instead of the kit.

Not sure what handles you are talking about - can you elaborate?

I'm pretty sure on 2014+ ES vs non, the difference is the electric suspension adjusters and the heated grips in the US.

 

[Ron Earp]

Might be only the heated grips and suspension are the differences. The only ST I'd ridden and seen in person before mine was a 12 model, used, and maybe someone had removed the passenger grab handles thus making me think not all STs had them.

That's awesome that cruise is standard on 2014+. I didn't know that or overlooked it somehow when bike shopping.

 

[Velvet]

I originally wanted the ES version but I found a '14 non-ES with low mileage at a price I couldn't pass up. I have had three other bikes with electronic suspension, two BMW's and a Ducati, and I really didn't fiddle with the suspension adjustments on those bikes, so at this point I really don't care that I have a non-ES model Super Tenere.

 

[Steve_h80]

Just out of curiosity how reliable is the ES system?
Will it still be working in 5 years, 50k miles?
A few mates with gs es have had all sorts of problems.

 

[Davesax36]

Just out of curiosity how reliable is the ES system?
Will it still be working in 5 years, 50k miles?
A few mates with gs es have had all sorts of problems.

Mine is working great at 42000 miles.

 

[oldbear]

While the adjustable suspension is pretty cool, I've seen a few guys with it (primarily on BMW's and on my FJR) and in most cases they will play with it some when new and then eventually find a setting they like and just leave it there. This is pretty consistent with my experience with conventional suspensions-once you find what works for YOU the tendency is to leave it alone. I wouldn't mind having it, but I'm not sure it's worth the $$ at least to me...YMMV.

 

[Davesax36]

I change mine a lot based on the road conditions.

 

[regulator]

Road conditions and passenger presence.

 

[Ron Earp]

It seems like the extra money for the ES just about evaporates on a used resale. Not counting the gen1 bikes that are approaching 4 years old and that depreciate just like any cycle, there is isn't a lot of gap between ES and Non-ES when looking through classifieds on Cycle Trader and what not. Definitely not the $1200 premium or whatever it was new.

 

[Goldwing]

Go with the ES!!