[DABrisson]

I'm starting a new thread because most all the posts I've read here are a couple of years old and I'm trying to get the straight story.

I had a conversation with one Wilbers rep who said "yes, send us your OEM shocks and we'll build the new Wilbers, putting the old adjustment motors on them and send them back for reinstall."

I contacted another rep here in the States who said that "Due to the problems with the ESA motors and the limited adjustability of ESA in general" that Wilbers does not offer an ESA replacement for my bike.

It does look like Wilbers may offer ESA replacement for at least the R1200GS but not my K1300GT. This may have been missed by the first rep I talked with but the whole subject has left me confused. Everyone that I've talked with has been extremely happy with their Wilbers shocks on their K1200/1300. The way the first rep sounded, changing shocks was a no brainer, now I need to rethink the whole project.

I've owned Ohlins on my '05 LT and they made an amazing improvement, so I can appreciate the difference in improved shocks.

Can I get after market shocks in ESA form to replace the factory ones?

Does Wilbers offer ESA for some bikes but not others?

Is ESA worth giving up for the ride of the Wilbers or another brand for that matter?

Any thoughts on Ohlins, or another brand for that matter on the K1300GT?

Thanks,
Del Brisson

 

[TF1200RT]

EPM Performance is the company that will transfer the ESA motors to Hyperpro shocks for the K1300GT. This is the route I'm taking when it comes time to change shocks. If you can live without the ESA, a good set of Wilbers will do the job. Here is the contact info:

Klaus Huenecke
EPM Performance Imports
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-786-9777
www.epmperf.com

 

[DABrisson]

Thanks, that's the kind of information I'm looking for.

 

[KJG]

Thanks for posting this new thread. I am having the same issue with my K1300GT. The front shock is leaking and needs to be replaced. I can feel a noticeable difference with the bike. After talking with one of the local dealers (Concord, CA), they pointed me towards Ted Porter. I called them and found out that they only have one front shock available to me and that is the WILBERS 630 SERIES FRONT SHOCK / Damping & Manual Pre-Load Adjustments. Purchasing and installing that shock means I have to let go of the ESA for the front of the bike. It's $599 and I have to get it installed elsewhere. The replacement BMW shock was quoted at $1700 + installation.

I was told it is manually adjusted and that there are more setting on the Wilbers than on the BMW shock. I'm not one to do a lot of the twisties and would probably find a setting or two I like, but I doubt I would be changing the setting too often.

From what I've found, it doesn't seem like there is a non-BMW front shock that I can buy that allows me to still use the ESA and it doesn't seem like I can get the current shock rebuilt. I ride a lot and would love to replace it with the BMW shock, but that is a lot of money. I'll probably go with the Wilbers shock.

 

[Honolulu]

Go here https://www.beemershop.com/category/suspension-products-294.html for Ted's K1300GT suspension bits.

A road bike such as a K13GT won't frequently use the electronic suspension option, I know I don't, it's mostly set-and-forget, partly because I'm at the upper range of adjustability (280 lbs.) so it's two-helmets and stiff all the time. When the wife gets on, where is there to adjust to? Noplace. So ESA is of no practical use to me.

The Wilbers option offers "manual adjustment" but a prospective purchaser should be clear just how that adjustment is achieved in real life, since the shock is deeply hidden under the plastic. I think Ted would pre-set the shock if provided the rider's weight (range) and kind of riding anticipated.

I visited Ted's shop 2.5 years ago while passing throught, met the man himself and he took 45 minutes from his busy day to talk to a complete stranger. I was impressed by his knowledge and cordiality. He also reassured my wife that my tires were good for some distance yet, which mitigated her anxiety.

 

[TF1200RT]

I think Ted would pre-set the shock if provided the rider's weight (range) and kind of riding anticipated.

When I had my shocks built for my R1200RT, they did ask for my weight and riding style. As far as adjusting the ESA on the K13GT, I use mine often since I do not ride two up.

 

[TF1200RT]

From what I've found, it doesn't seem like there is a non-BMW front shock that I can buy that allows me to still use the ESA and it doesn't seem like I can get the current shock rebuilt.

Look at the previous post. EPM will add the ESA motors to their HyperPro shocks. I believe the price for both is around $1,700.

 

[Steven Taylor]

I'm in the same boat myself as far as ESA goes, since I weight (grumble hrumph cough) pounds I'm at the top of adjustability anyway for the ESA. The reality is a manually adjustable shock would probably work better for me since I'd presumably have a wider range of adjustment to work with.

The ESA shocks work fine for now, and since I ride like an old man I'm not taxing them much. When the time comes I'll go with whatever manually adjustable shock is available.

 

[Kimkong]

Hi BMW K1300GT experts! I am new to this forum and new owner for a 2009 K1300GT with about 50000km on it. I'm from Toronto, Canada.

I have a question regarding the screws for what I think is the ESA adjustment.
While topping up the oil and inspecting the bike I noticed a round spindle hanging from a cable and resting on the rear left swingarm, looks like it is loose and has two missing screws, it goes up and screws into the rear shock reservoir, I believe this is the control actuator? / adjustment for the ESA settings. Must have come loose cuz of vibration or over use of the ESA.

I looked at the parts diagrams on various online shops, but this is part of the rear shock and there is no detail info on the specs or size of these 2 screws.
Is this an easy fix? do I just place it back on and screw it on? Please help! I am an experienced rider but trying to familiarize myself with the ins and out of this otherwise fantastic bike.

 

[TF1200RT]

If you have the reservoir adjuster connected to the shock and it is loose, you don't have ESA shocks. Your shocks have been replaced with a setup like Wilbers or Ohlins.

 

[jcmaun]

Anyone done the shock replacement themselves? For the rear, the manual, after the removal of the rear wheel, lists disengaging and releasing all kinds of stuff. Is that really necessary? Every youtube video I've watched of removing the rear shock on a BMW - of course none being a K1300GT - shows only the removal of the rear wheel.

 

[Mattias_r]

Yes, everything rear of fueltank except swingarm need's to be removed and or loosened. This is my k13S when i took out the esa shock. Wiring loom hangs loose, oiltank is loose and just hanging in the lines and some steelwire, plate on left side where the aux outlet is is removed, still hard to reach the connectors for the esashock but is possible, no weight can be on the swingarm.

 

[Capt howdy]

When I replaced my ESA with Wilbers I didn’t remove the rear subframe but removed enough bolts to enable it to be swung up over the fuel tank, out of the way. Be careful not to pinch wiring.