ES Rear Shock Service Question

wera688

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Aug 29, 2016
Messages
128
Location
Newnan GA
My 2016 has ES. I wish it didn't but it does. Now at 142,000 miles it is starting to sag and needs servicing. Now its at 2 helmets&bag on the screen. Can the shock be serviced? I'm going to call Traxxion Dynamics to see if they can do it along with needed fork servicing. Can it be serviced on the bike without removal? I read something that the ES shock is hard to remove due to the lines going to it, true? Reading the service manual. it doesn't seem too hard. Anyone with actual experience doing this? Seems the manual says, any issues, replace the assembly which is about $2800. faak!

Thanks for any info!

My 2014 is non-ES and I have a great fully adjustable and serviceable Penske rear shock which I prefer. I've never liked electronic shocks because they always wear out around 150K and are expensive to replace/service. With all my bikes in 6 digit mileage, this makes for an expensive task, in which I believe it shouldn't be.
 

Paul466

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Mar 16, 2013
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577
Location
Highlands Ranch , Colorado
My 2016 has ES. I wish it didn't but it does. Now at 142,000 miles it is starting to sag and needs servicing. Now its at 2 helmets&bag on the screen. Can the shock be serviced? I'm going to call Traxxion Dynamics to see if they can do it along with needed fork servicing. Can it be serviced on the bike without removal? I read something that the ES shock is hard to remove due to the lines going to it, true? Reading the service manual. it doesn't seem too hard. Anyone with actual experience doing this? Seems the manual says, any issues, replace the assembly which is about $2800. faak!

Thanks for any info!

My 2014 is non-ES and I have a great fully adjustable and serviceable Penske rear shock which I prefer. I've never liked electronic shocks because they always wear out around 150K and are expensive to replace/service. With all my bikes in 6 digit mileage, this makes for an expensive task, in which I believe it shouldn't be.
Shock has to be removed for service, the spring is what keeps the shock up, not so much the valving, heard the es is rebuildable, not a big deal to do i’m sure, the electronic system ,all it does is runs a servo to turn the clicker, I don’t think it has much to do with the issue, You’re definitely do for service at this milage oil breaks down and seal have life span also, ask them to spec proper spring rate for your weight and riding style. Don’t stress, shock service is common item to service, it might be a good idea to send in your forks also at the same time..
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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Jun 20, 2015
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Ventura, CA
I’ve removed the ES shock before to replace the spring. You have to unplug the electrical connections at the shock body and the pump under the cover below the seat. To avoid opening the hydraulic preload adjuster circuit, you can remove the pump with the shock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

wera688

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Aug 29, 2016
Messages
128
Location
Newnan GA
EPM Suspensions in New Jersey said they will service ES shocks. I'm going to send mine soon as I have a riding break.
 

RCinNC

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Aug 30, 2014
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3,165
Location
North Carolina
Norwest Suspension rebuilt my non-ES rear shock from my 2014, despite claims that it couldn't be rebuilt. If you're interested in other suspension services to compare prices, you could try them and see if they can also do the ES.
 

Drif10

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Jul 22, 2020
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189
Location
Gates of Moscow
Accelerated Technologies in Canada serviced mine, upped the damping a bit along with a heavier spring (I'm 240 plus gear, with Jesse cases always half full). Good job.

If I was to do it again, I'd skip the damping increase. The shop recommended it, but did say at the time it wasn't far off in stock trim.

I was present when they did the job, they just used the usual suspension tools, nothing unique.
 

kmasa58

Active Member
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Sep 23, 2018
Messages
105
Location
Oregon
Has anyone converted ES suspension to standard suspension? I'm kinda kicking my self right now for getting the ES version. It's so difficult to find a shop that can 'rebuild' ES suspension in my area...Oregon. During my 1st major service about 6 mos ago, I had the dealer change the fork oils but I think I'm detecting front forks 'bottoming' more frequently ... definite 'clunk' is audible when going over sharp edged bumps. I think I can handle removing front forks, but the rear shock intimidates me. I'll have to check & see if theres a illustrated procedure posted here after my post. Also, if anyone can provide me reference to a shop in the Oregon area, I'd be very apprciative! I've been riding with my dampening set to rider + luggage, but now I just changed it 2 riders which seems to reduce bottoming.

Thank you guys in advance!
 

RCinNC

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North Carolina
Does the shop need to be in your area? More than a few of us in here (me included) have sent our rear shocks to a suspension shop via the mail, and the rebuilding process worked out well.

I don't think you can swap a non ES suspension for an ES suspension without causing an error in the ECU.

I have a service manual for a 2014, that would also apply for the 2016. Are you looking for the procedure to just remove the rear shock from the bike, or do you want a procedure for disassembly of the rear shock? If it's just removal, the service manual covers that, and I can send you a copy of that. I don't recall if it has a disassembly procedure for the rear shock, though I doubt if it does since the rear shock isn't (technically) supposed to be serviceable.
 

fac191

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Jun 22, 2016
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3,100
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London
Would be handy to know your weight ready to ride and if your riding off road in conditions which will challenge the bike anyway. Also the preload settings which are the 1 helmet 2 helmet ect only change the spring preload on the rear shock but does not change the spring preload at the forks it does up the damping on the forks and shock automatically when you go from 1 helmet to 2 helmet ect. You can also max out the damping aswell. If your body weight does not fall into the nominal range for the springs on the ES you will be throwing your money away trying to sort it out. You will need to re-spring the forks and rear shock. Also the 19 inch front rim will only handle the rough stuff up to a certain point so instead of going over it the front will compress too much.
 

mybackhurts

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Apr 23, 2024
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Location
AZ
Has anyone converted ES suspension to standard suspension? I'm kinda kicking my self right now for getting the ES version. It's so difficult to find a shop that can 'rebuild' ES suspension in my area...Oregon. During my 1st major service about 6 mos ago, I had the dealer change the fork oils but I think I'm detecting front forks 'bottoming' more frequently ... definite 'clunk' is audible when going over sharp edged bumps. I think I can handle removing front forks, but the rear shock intimidates me. I'll have to check & see if theres a illustrated procedure posted here after my post. Also, if anyone can provide me reference to a shop in the Oregon area, I'd be very apprciative! I've been riding with my dampening set to rider + luggage, but now I just changed it 2 riders which seems to reduce bottoming.

Thank you guys in advance!
Thought about this just in case I start really sending this thing... bump
 

kmasa58

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Sep 23, 2018
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Oregon
RCinNC,
Thank you for you feed back. No, shop doesn't have to be in my area. I sent an email to Cogent Suspension in NC(?) & I'm waiting to hear back. I'm sure I can handle the fork removal, but the rear sure looks initidating. I'd like to just remove the shock & whatever components attached to it so that I can pack it up & send/take it to a shop.

fac191,
Ready to ride, I'm 190 lbs, I don't do much off road other than a access/fire road at a snail's pace. ??! I didn't realized that the 'preload' adjustment was ONLY for the rear...good to know! Other than the rear end feeling bit saggy, I've been pretty happy with the rear setup so I should be focusing on the forks springs then. What do you think of the "linkage' swap that's suppose to raise the rear by 20mm? I've been considering getting a set of those for the rear & upgrade the fork springs.

Great info ... you guys gave me few things to think about! MUCH APPRECIATED!
 

kmasa58

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Oregon
mybackhurt,
I'm still thinking about it, but I think it'll be cheaper to purchase a non-ES model. I'll need a whole set of new forks unless a non-ES fork CAPs can be fitted to the ES forks. I'm sure the ES models are heavier than the non-ES, so the spring rate / dampenng setup maybe different. From the looks of it, a non-ES shock can be installed at the rear with minimum fuss. But then, I'll probably need a new ECU to prevent error codes from popping up & possibly causing cascading issues in other areas. So, I can see spending ~$4k / or moer for the conversion or take that $4k, sell your current ES model & you can probably pickup a newer but good used non-ES S10.
 

mybackhurts

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AZ
mybackhurt,
I'm still thinking about it, but I think it'll be cheaper to purchase a non-ES model. I'll need a whole set of new forks unless a non-ES fork CAPs can be fitted to the ES forks. I'm sure the ES models are heavier than the non-ES, so the spring rate / dampenng setup maybe different. From the looks of it, a non-ES shock can be installed at the rear with minimum fuss. But then, I'll probably need a new ECU to prevent error codes from popping up & possibly causing cascading issues in other areas. So, I can see spending ~$4k / or moer for the conversion or take that $4k, sell your current ES model & you can probably pickup a newer but good used non-ES S10.
Depends if disconnecting the es shocks trips out the ecu. Might just be a light?.....

Food for thought.
 

mybackhurts

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17264308517823513629873791278745.jpg
Suspension warning light at the most? Or least? lol

Nothing a piece of tape could or couldn't solve.
 
Last edited:

RCinNC

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Aug 30, 2014
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North Carolina
Kmasa58: Cogent Dynamics did a spring swap on my V-Strom's rear shock back in 2013 or so, and they were great to deal with. In that instance I took the shock to them personally.

Norwest Suspension rebuilt my rear Super Tenere shock with new valves and a different spring, and they were also a great company to do business with. In their case I shipped the rear shock to them.
 

gv550

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Sep 14, 2016
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1,490
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Listowel, Ontario, Canada
Since ES and nonES bikes have the same ecu and speedometer, I expect disconnecting the forks and shock will simply eliminate the icon from the screen. Similar to disconnecting the heated grips. Just disconnect your shock and forks and try it.
Fork internals are very different, the manual adjustment cap will not fit on ES forks. But complete forks are interchangeable.
A manual shock will fit an ES bike but the length is different so the suspension linkage will also need to be changed.
 

fac191

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Jun 22, 2016
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3,100
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London
A
RCinNC,
Thank you for you feed back. No, shop doesn't have to be in my area. I sent an email to Cogent Suspension in NC(?) & I'm waiting to hear back. I'm sure I can handle the fork removal, but the rear sure looks initidating. I'd like to just remove the shock & whatever components attached to it so that I can pack it up & send/take it to a shop.

fac191,
Ready to ride, I'm 190 lbs, I don't do much off road other than a access/fire road at a snail's pace. ??! I didn't realized that the 'preload' adjustment was ONLY for the rear...good to know! Other than the rear end feeling bit saggy, I've been pretty happy with the rear setup so I should be focusing on the forks springs then. What do you think of the "linkage' swap that's suppose to raise the rear by 20mm? I've been considering getting a set of those for the rear & upgrade the fork springs.

Great info ... you guys gave me few things to think about! MUCH APPRECIATED!
At 190lbs your not anywhere near being too heavy for the ES. Raising the rear will make it steer quicker but even though its a heavy bike i have never felt it steered slowly but i have come from a Triumph Tiger 800 with 19 inch front wheel. Using counter steering i can chuck it about no problems. I have done the north west coast of Scotland a few times the roads are very narrow and constanly up and down the S10 sails through it.
 

Tenforeplay

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Apr 29, 2023
Messages
597
Location
Kansas, USA
If everything is operating correctly, not leaking oil, etc., here would be my recommendation. I have a '23 ES, I weigh 180 lbs. I found the stock spring rate on the rear shock too soft. I installed a 525# spring and am much happy. To do this you have to make an adapter which is diagrammed on another thread somewhere about the ES. The spring is about $80 usd, the adapter whatever your resources dictate. The ES shock removal is not difficult, just have to be a little meticulous on how you handle your parts for the reinstall. Good time to check bearings, etc. also. If you are not satisfied then you can try something else, but the cost of this is minimal. You being 190# you might go to a 550# spring, depending on your add ons, etc. You will also need a spring compressor.

Sitting on your bike, from about your elbows back, all goes onto the rear suspension, that is the halfway point between wheels, in a static position. The ES and nonES shock rocker arm are not the same so that may figure into your ES to nonES switch.
 

-=clinton=-

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Jan 10, 2022
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Smack dab in the middle
Disconneting the shock or fork caused an error code on the KTM 1290 I had. I've seen/ read threads on ADVrider about guys who have converted the ESA to non-ESA on the 1200? GS/GSA. Ted porter at Beemer shop was selling a "jumper" at one time. If my recollection is collected, it's essentially a resistor that says yep, everything's good. Might do some research over there to see what you can determine.
 

kmasa58

Active Member
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Sep 23, 2018
Messages
105
Location
Oregon
Nice feed backs! I've decided NOT to pursue the ES to non-ES conversion. I'm going to try and remove the shock myself and take it to a shop nearby in hope to simply swap out the sping to a heavier one (525/550#...thanks, tenforeplay). It looks like I can remove just the N2 chamber/oil tank? & the shock itslef after disconnecting the SV motor connection. Rear linkage definitely has to be removed & drop the shock staright down, along with the N2 chamber...at least that's what it looks like to me. Maybe I can park the bike on a 2"x6" to raise/give it bit more room underneath may help. Thank you all for your ideas and input!!!
 
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