ES or not to ES.

[wfopete]

That is the question.

Is a ES Tenere' rider screwed out of his ES capabilities if he needs to replace the shock or fork internals (as so many have) with an higher quality aftermarket pieces?

I was looking at a 2014 ES Tenere' today but thought; What happens to the ES at 20Kish miles when the suspension starts to get worn out.


.

 

[~TABASCO~]

good question! I've had the conversations with customers several times... Service and maintenance will be more costly and more involved for sure..

 

[wfopete]

I hope Yamaha made the guts of the suspension more durable and/or rebuildable for 2014.

 

[Somerset]

I used an electronic suspension FJR for blood delivery that had 50k+ miles and it still had the same suspension from new. Believe me, even though they were more or less all road miles , they were not easy ones.

 

[fredz43]

For the forks at least, the service manual doesn't show that maint is much more difficult, just have a couple servos to remove before the rest of the disassembly.

 

[tomatocity]

For the forks at least, the service manual doesn't show that maint is much more difficult, just have a couple servos to remove before the rest of the disassembly.

What are the service intervals for the Front and Rear suspension?

 

[silverfin]

We are going to buy a 2014 non ES because we are 2 up to S America with over 500 lbs of rider/cargo weight. I don't think the ES rear suspension is up to the task and so will be replacing with a robust Yacatur steel bodied rear shock and 1000 lb spring. It is possible you could replace the rear shock on a ES with a non ES shock and retain at least adjust-ability to the forks but I don't have time to experiment...and there may be computer issues...not sure.

I don't see how the ES could do this trip and if that was the only choice I am not sure what to do.....So many subtle things are fixed on the 2014 (clutch basket, seat, windscreen, GPS mount, Cam tensioners, hopefully better fuel mileage, led lights, etc. Only downside is the reduced ground clearance of the cat...going to take a beating on the thousands of topes coming up!

For us its the non ES with Yacatur shock and remote hydro preload adjuster....we will option the heated grips so this setup is actually more expensive than the ES.

 

[Travex]

I had a '12 and now have a '14 ES and absolutely love it. Most miles have been with full panniers and a good sized tank bag. Longer rides get a large Wolfman drybag and a Kriega tailbag, if not more. Having the ability to adjust the suspension per load or condition is a treat. It actuates simply and has operated accurately and reliably. It's definitely a convenience and one I'd rather not be without.

In terms of it's longevity, serviceability, and cost... I couldn't possibly care less as it's that beneficial.

 

[Rasher]

An individual thing IMO

Many people swap bikes too often for the suspension service to be an issue, and these serial bike buyers are also less likely to fit expensive aftermarket stuff as they will not be keeping the bike long.

For long term owners I think there are two camps, those like me that do not mind fiddling with settings and appreciate the difference high end suspension makes, and those who do not like to fiddle or are just content to ride the bike under them.

ES adds to the decisions as before ES we all started at the same point with the same options, whereas with ES you pay a premium and it seems wastefult o later throw the kit away / lose functionality and servicing options may be more limited, or more expensive - as will replacement if ever required.

I have also had great results from having OE units re-worked, often just a service using top quality suspension fluid can make quite a difference and some OE units can be fully rebuilt and re-valved, we recently had the Mrs TDM re-valved and serviced and for about 1/3 of the cost of a good quality shock it was transformed.

I expect once the bikes are out of warranty and suspension units start to fail the suspension experts will start to be given the shocks to look at, sooner or later we will find out what the options are, and as market demand increases the aftermarket market will respond, I know Wilbers already have ES shocks for the GS.

If buying new I would still go non ES, but that is because I know I would want to fit a better quality shock quite early on, but I think ES will better suit the majority of owners and probably be a more popular model in the used market.

 

[Somerset]

When you up rate your rear spring to a 1000lb model why do you think the rest of the bike will be ok? Are there not other considerations such as strength of spring mounts, casting strength at main point if fulcrum and the subframe rigidity?

Not a criticism, merely a curiosity.

I have the ES and am very pleased with the suspension system, however, I do fall into the category of the rider who rides the bike he has instead of trying to make it something else.

 

[mrpete64]

For $410 dollars you can get the extended warranty for an additional four years. Hence, a five year coverage...shocks and all! I think this goes a long way to help one make up his/her mind regarding this issue. I have the ES and love it! I am sure that the quality of the ES suspension is at least as good as BMW and apparently people take them all over the place...like SA! All this stuff is so good, anymore, that I do not think I would worry about getting on my bike and going to Peru, etc. If it breaks...it breaks.
I think all of us worry too much about all this kind of stuff. I would put Mitas four ply tires on this bike if I were taking it anywhere off road.
I talke to a Canadian who had 40,000 miles on his bike and just returned from the tip of SA. He had NO issues with any kind of break downs...and not one flat! He is the person who showed my his Mitas tires. I had never heard of them but they will be my next purchase when my bike needs tires.
Going to SA one should worry about dogs coming out and trying to bite you....that is a "real" issue from what I understand. Don't forget the pepper spray!!

Mr. Pete-------->
aging hippie

 

[dcstrom]

Good decision I think. The ES shock may be more robust than the standard '12 shock, but I wouldn't count on it for a trip like that - at least until they have proven themselves. My standard shock overheated and broke some internal valving (so said Yamaha) on dirt roads in Baja on my way south. Luckily I was close enough to San Diego to limp back on a shock with no damping, and replace with an Ohlins.

We are going to buy a 2014 non ES because we are 2 up to S America with over 500 lbs of rider/cargo weight. I don't think the ES rear suspension is up to the task and so will be replacing with a robust Yacatur steel bodied rear shock and 1000 lb spring. It is possible you could replace the rear shock on a ES with a non ES shock and retain at least adjust-ability to the forks but I don't have time to experiment...and there may be computer issues...not sure.

I don't see how the ES could do this trip and if that was the only choice I am not sure what to do.....So many subtle things are fixed on the 2014 (clutch basket, seat, windscreen, GPS mount, Cam tensioners, hopefully better fuel mileage, led lights, etc. Only downside is the reduced ground clearance of the cat...going to take a beating on the thousands of topes coming up!

For us its the non ES with Yacatur shock and remote hydro preload adjuster....we will option the heated grips so this setup is actually more expensive than the ES.

 

[corndog]

For the money, I would go non ES. Then you have money in the bank for a quality after market shock down the road. To me its a gadget. I am capable of twisting a preload knob for carrying weight and set my suspension up the same for where ever I am riding, dirt or street. Warranty is nice, I consider it insurance only though and buy products I trust will never need a warranty claim. Which is why I am riding a Yamaha and driving a Toyota.

I can see the want...but not the need. Now, TC and ABS, that is a whole other issue, will never buy another bike without both.

 

[oldbear]

I guess it's an individual thing. The ES is certainly a nice option, though personally if I was buying I'd likely go non-ES. I rarely change suspension settings once it is where I want it. With that said, if I could change things with just the touch of a button I might try it some. It's up to you, ride what YOU like! ::021::

 

[fredz43]

On my 2012 I had very good aftermarket suspensions, tried both of two highly rated top options, both much better than OEM. I now have a ES and I am happiest with the present setup. I weigh 180 pounds and that may be a factor in why the ES seems set up perfectly for me. In addition to easily changing preload for differing loads, I enjoy being able to change damping settings on the fly as road conditions change.

 

[silverfin]

I do not disagree with the comments here but for our heavy load and the remote locals in S America we are going we will be better served with a non ES bike. Remember the YES warentee does not work outside of the USA. The Super Tenere is built like a tank and ideally suited for 2up travel...just look at Old Ray Gits trip.....no issues and over 500 lbs all up. I think the OEM shock on any bike would be a liability and Ohlins have failed catastrophically under 2up expedition conditions...that's why we will go Yacugar or Hyperpro...16mm shaft and steel body. Its one less thing to worry about.

SO the real question...can we buy an ES and mount a non ES shock...that might work- but not sure what the computer does if the rear shock control is unplugged or disabled. If this was a USA only trip and by myself definitely I would go ES...but it's not.

 

[528Hz]

it all comes down to whether or not you want prepackaged settings and more electronics. Or less electronics and tune it to your liking manually.
If you were to buy an ES and put an aftermarket suspension, that would defeat the purpose of buying the ES model. Just seems more flexibility with non ES model and you can route that extra money towards better suspension.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

That is the question.

Is a ES Tenere' rider screwed out of his ES capabilities if he needs to replace the shock or fork internals (as so many have) with an higher quality aftermarket pieces?

I was looking at a 2014 ES Tenere' today but thought; What happens to the ES at 20Kish miles when the suspension starts to get worn out.

The BMW's have ESA (electronic suspension adjustment, I think) and some or all of the high end shock builders can retrofit the BMW mechanism that adjusts the BMW shock onto their shocks. I'm betting that will be an option for me when I wear out the shock. The fork is a good question. Does the fork adjust when I change my suspensions settings? I know the rear shock does.

 

[bmac]

I do not disagree with the comments here but for our heavy load and the remote locals in S America we are going we will be better served with a non ES bike. Remember the YES warentee does not work outside of the USA. The Super Tenere is built like a tank and ideally suited for 2up travel...just look at Old Ray Gits trip.....no issues and over 500 lbs all up. I think the OEM shock on any bike would be a liability and Ohlins have failed catastrophically under 2up expedition conditions...that's why we will go Yacugar or Hyperpro...16mm shaft and steel body. Its one less thing to worry about.

SO the real question...can we buy an ES and mount a non ES shock...that might work- but not sure what the computer does if the rear shock control is unplugged or disabled. If this was a USA only trip and by myself definitely I would go ES...but it's not.

You must be planning on riding the crap out of that thing.

Yamaha is offering a 2 year factory warranty on the ES. If the suspension does not hold up they will fix it.

 

[mrpete64]

I repeat...

For $410 you can buy the YES four year warranty. Hence, a total of five years of NO hassles. I really do not think you can beat it. If the suspension is made like the rest of the bike I am sure the ES will be just fine going to SA....and back! I personally would not worry about it. Also, the ES comes with heated grips. Nice feature at 12,000 feet in elevation!!

Mr. Pete---------->
aging hippie