ES or not to ES.

[wfopete]

YES will cover a failed part but not fair wear and tear or "Normal Maintenance". It is commonplace for the suspension on these bikes to degrade in performance after 20K miles. I don't know if the degradation is a oil fade issue, mechanical or something else. Seals are generally classified as "wear items". If a seal fails it is often called a normal wear and tear, especially with 20+K on the clock. BTW a new ES rear shock cost over $1200 a non-ES shock is less than $400. Sure would be nice if they could be rebuilt.

I guess I'll wait and watch the Beta testers for awhile.

 

[Tremor38]

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.

Your best bet for a rear shock, given the conditions you've stated, is a Hyper pro, IMO. They are very durable, and the progressive rate spring guards against failures that are associated with bottoming out. I've read and heard numerous accounts of where these shocks held up after other brands failed.

 

[silverfin]

Thanks...I agree but the Yacutur Shock is a Hyprepro and can be had with a linear spring and the same (better) remote adjuster the Touratch shocks come with 15mm adjustment. Can you tell me what the advantages of linear vs progressive is for very heavy 2 up 3rd world riding? All those that that are not leaving the US...ES looks good...but YES does not work outside US...so when it fails your are truly screwed...that's why its a non ES for me. Now I just need to find one in the Seattle WA area at a great price when I return from AFG next week! Any one see killer deals for a cash buyer in WA state?

Also...what happens if you put a standard shock on a ES....flashing lights...or no go...will the front adj still work...and will it fit? I ask because I might find a ES cheaper than the rarer non ES.....I want the heated grips so its only 500$ more and easier to find discounted and might be cheaper than a non ES. Winter is coming!

 

[Eagle6]

Why all the worry about the shock?

The GS has had ES since 2007/08? and considering the reliability of Yamaha v BMW I wouldn't consider it's a problem on the S10.

 

[silverfin]

We are going 2up to S America from WA state...total load about 500+ lbs. The ES spring, if its anything like the standard, will be much too soft for this load and it will eventually bottom repeatedly on crappy roads...eventually destroying itself...probably in Bolivia...with an expiring Visa and no Yamaha dealer for help. I hope you get the picture now...additionally, the YES warrentee only works in the USA (for USA bought bikes). So you either get the standard and upgrade the rear shock to a Yacuter or Hyperpro (super strong overbuilt metal body shock) and a 1000 lb spring or you get the ES...and hopefully find you can mount the same shock...bypassing/disabling the electric adjusters. At this point NO ONE knows if you can put a non ES rear shock on the ES and I dont want to be the beta tester.

Rear shock failures are one of the most common failures for heavily laden bikes in an expedition situation and it would be wise to address the issue now rather then at the most inconvenient time/place possible....plus with this load we will be more comfortable and probably safer with the correct spring and a heavy duty shock.

 

[RED CAT]

I originally wanted the Standard 2014 S10 but Dealers here seem to only bring in the ES. Wasn't even planning on buying a new one till later. When they made me an offer on my old bike, I couldn't refuse. I asked about bringing in a Standard, they told me it would cost more than the current ES on the showroom floor. So that made my decision. Very happy with it. Seems most settings on the ESA are better than on my old 2012. Still experimenting. ::001::

 

[mrpete64]

It is my observation that people have a tendency to worry too much about stuff. I remember when fuel injection came out in cars and everyone complained that they could not work on it and it was not going to last. So far I have put over a half million miles on cars/trucks with FI and "never" had an issue. I never could say that about things I have owned with carbs.

I bet that the es electronic shock will last a looooooooooooooooooooooong time. Obviously, if you over weight the bike it will "wet the bed" like any other shock. A more robust rear spring might be an answer as it is for most people doing long trips with everything from chairs to????

I would not think twice about going to SA with my ES...if I could find someone to go with who spoke Spanish.

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

p.s. I would put Mitas tires on my bike for such a trip...4 ply!!