Equipment Packages?

[BruceHarrisJr]

Howdy all. Brief question if I may. What are the two 'equipment packages' listed as options for the '07 GT and what do they consist of? Thank you in advance.

[meese]

Hey Bruce, look here (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12056) for the answers.

[BruceHarrisJr]

Thank you Ken, I appreciate it! Any word on passenger armrest availability for the BMW large topcase from any existing vendors?

[dshealey]

I saw "Equipment packages" and thought you posted on the wrong site.:rotf:

[messenger13]

Any word on passenger armrest availability for the BMW large topcase from any existing vendors?Aw Bruce! Reconsidering your move to the dark side huh?! :D I knew Ruth would get you off that GoldWing sooner or later. Good girl! ;) But I digress...

First and foremost, I highly recommend getting ESA. I can't imagine owning a GT without it. It's nothing short of miraculous, IMO.

I have yet to see any armrests for the GT's large (49 liter) topbox. You may want to surf different RT-centric sites for an answer to that one.

[dshealey]

---------------------
First and foremost, I highly recommend getting ESA. I can't imagine owning a GT without it. It's nothing short of miraculous, IMO.---------------

Question: Has anyone delved into the cost associated when the shocks need replacement/rebuilding on the ESA system? I would imagine it is going to be EXPENSIVE, as if nearly $1,000 for stock non-ESA replacements is not already heart stopping.

[messenger13]

Question: Has anyone delved into the cost associated when the shocks need replacement/rebuilding on the ESA system? I would imagine it is going to be EXPENSIVE, as if nearly $1,000 for stock non-ESA replacements is not already heart stopping.I have heard that mentioned many times, and surely it is a valid question/concern. Randy would probably be the best one to go to for the part numbers and associated pricing. But I don't think we're talking about replacing "the ESA system" here. Sure ESA is advanced technology, but we're still talking about a set of shocks here, aren't we? And it is my hope that the majority of the ESA componants are not on the list of maintenance items.

The LT's maintenance costs and the fact that I was looking at a $1500 bill to replace the LT shocks has prepared me for GT ownership quite nicely. :)

[dshealey]

I have heard that mentioned many times, and surely it is a valid question/concern. Randy would probably be the best one to go to for the part numbers and associated pricing. But I don't think we're talking about replacing "the ESA system" here. Sure ESA is advanced technology, but we're still talking about a set of shocks here, aren't we? And it is my hope that the majority of the ESA componants are not on the list of maintenance items.

The LT's maintenance costs and the fact that I was looking at a $1500 bill to replace the LT shocks has prepared me for GT ownership quite nicely. :)

ESA, as on some cars also, have more complicated shocks, with external connections and switchable valving inside. WAY more expensive to replace. I do not know how the motorcycle system works, but to change ride characteristics requires some way to change valving/orifices/valve spring rates inside the shock I imagine. That is how it works on automotive ride control systems.

Just curious to know how the ESA works, and think it is very likely that when shock replacement time comes it is going to be way more expensive to do than without it.

[hschisler]

...Just curious to know how the ESA works, and think it is very likely that when shock replacement time comes it is going to be way more expensive to do than without it.This has been my question also, although (a) I'm not a GT owner (but may, some day), and (b) I'm not an engineer.

I see it as similar to the "dirty little secret" about hybrid cars: What is the life expectancy of the components unique to their systems (batteries, electric engine, etc.), and what is the cost to replace those components? I've not had a salesman able (or willing) to give me an answer to those questions.

I'm looking forward to a ride on the GT or RT some time to experience the ESA suspension.

[meese]

Agreed, David. But I figure that maybe Öhlins or Wilburs will come out with a replacement shock by then that will work with the BMW ESA controls. Still expensive, but no different than the choices we now have for the LT.

Anyone know who makes the stock shocks for the ESA system? Showa again?

[dshealey]

Agreed, David. But I figure that maybe Öhlins or Wilburs will come out with a replacement shock by then that will work with the BMW ESA controls. Still expensive, but no different than the choices we now have for the LT.

Anyone know who makes the stock shocks for the ESA system? Showa again?

Can someone look at the shocks on an ESA equipped GT and tell us if there are wires or hydraulic connections to them from the ESA controller?

If there are, they surely will not be the same price as Ohlins or Wilburs for non ESA bikes. They will undoubtedly be considerably more expensive. I know for a fact that shocks for cars with active suspension are WAY more expensive than for the same car without it. All the active suspension systems I have ever read about have far more complicated shocks, with the ability of external controls to change things inside the shock.

For instance, I just checked ETK for front shocks for a BMW car without and with the active suspension, $190 without, $430 with. Over twice the price.

Hopefully BMW has come up with a way to get control into the motorcycle shocks in a relatively inexpensive way. However, BMW has not struck me as a company trying to raise the technology level at low cost.

If I was looking to buy one right now, I would be finding out what the downstream maintenance cost of shock replacement or rebuild will be before making up my mind to get it or not.

As someone else pointed out, all the people with Hybrid and electric cars are in for a big shock when it comes time to replace the batteries! All the savings they thought they were experiencing will be out the window, plus some. Unless the manufacturers are setting up some plan to make that less a burden on the buyer. But if so, who is paying?

[grifscoots]

Remove nuts (3) screws (1) and washers (2).

Work spring strut (1) down to remove.

Disconnect plug (1) of servomotor for adjusting rear-suspension spring preload.

Disconnect plug (2) of servomotor for adjusting rebound-stage damping.

Disconnect plug (3) of potentiometer of servomotor for adjusting rear-suspension compression-stage spring preload.

Basically looks like a shock with a servo motor to me.
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/8/5/shocks_142637.jpg

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/8/5/shocks2.jpg

[messenger13]

I'd look at my GT's shocks...but I'm enjoying (way too much) all you non-GT owners speculating the bad news. (cue: dark organ music) :D Meanwhile, I'll just keep riding this awesome machine with it's on-the-fly suspension-adjusting marvel. :cool:

[grifscoots]

I'd look at my GT's shocks...but I'm enjoying (way too much) all you non-GT owners speculating the bad news. (cue: dark organ music) :D Meanwhile, I'll just keep riding this awesome machine with it's on-the-fly suspension-adjusting marvel. :cool:

And when the new LT comes out with ESA will that stop anyone from buying it?
Man, I'm still trying to figure out the valves.

[messenger13]

Man, I'm still trying to figure out the valves.Valves? BaH! That's another bridge I'll burn when I get to it. After my cross-country adventure next Spring, I'll come home and me and Fred will rip into this puppy for a valve check (@ approx. 25K or so). For now...she's running smooth and strong!

[dshealey]

Remove nuts (3) screws (1) and washers (2).

Work spring strut (1) down to remove.

Disconnect plug (1) of servomotor for adjusting rear-suspension spring preload.

Disconnect plug (2) of servomotor for adjusting rebound-stage damping.

Disconnect plug (3) of potentiometer of servomotor for adjusting rear-suspension compression-stage spring preload.

Basically looks like a shock with a servo motor to me.




I was wondering it the two servos and pot are actually non-replaceable parts of the shock. Looked it up online, seems it is a one piece unit.

Rear shock:
Non ESA 33 53 7 674 864 - $800
ESA 33 53 7 691 037 - $2100

That is comparable to the price difference on the automotive shocke with active suspension, well over double the price.

The front GT shocks are not so bad though, $537 without ESA, $867 with.

Hopefully someone will be able to re-build that rear shock!

[grifscoots]

Hopefully someone will be able to re-build that rear shock!

Lindeman (http://www.le-suspension.com/services/shocks.html) will be able to.

[DavidTaylor]

Lindeman (http://www.le-suspension.com/services/shocks.html) will be able to.

Jim just rebuilt and set up the Fox shocks on my GS (he's about 10 miles from my house, now that's handy! :) ), revalved and resprung the stock Showa rear on my 99 LT and resprung and rebuilt the Ohlins on my 02 LT once. He does great work and is a master at his trade. I'm sure he could do it, but I don't know if I would want to be the first guy to have it done, just because of the added complexity and the possible need to have some specific knowledge of how they work that BMW will keep as "proprietary" as they can. I also wonder if a rebuild kit would be easily accessible to someone in the aftermarket like Jim, as I'm guessing it's a very BMW specific parts kit for them.

After thinking about all of that, I wonder what BMW's plan/expectation is for providing or supporting rebuilds of the ESA shocks? I know most folks won't want to drop the $3000 for replacements. Maybe they'll go the way Toyota did with the Prius and offer a secondary warranty on these "wear item" parts (10/150,000 on the Prius battery now).