2007 R1200RT ESA: settings can be changed but suspension not moving

[SJA]

Hi all,

Had a search on my issue but cant find anything, hopefully someone can help out.

My ESA failed earlier in the year, the settings between could not be changed and were stuck on 1 helmet. I opted for a third party to rebuild the suspension, they replaced the stepper motors and and springs front and rear.

Upon resinstallation at BMW,
I can change between 1 helmet/2 helmets/luggage and comfort/normal/sport. The display shows the helmets flashing for a while and then they stop as is normal. But I cannot feel the change in the bike. I conclude the suspension is not actually moving. When the suspension was working, I could feel a noticeable change in the rear when changing modes.

To test I have tried to change the modes and watch the rear suspension shock which doesnt seem to move.

The dealership werent helpful and I havent been back as life is busy. With winter approaching I need these units in order as I ride all year and use the stiffer ESA settings in more windy winter weather. I will go back but I need information on things they should try:

(i) recalibrate ESA
(ii) software updates
(iii) Also read somewhere about the ZFE needing replacement
(iv) anything I missed?

best,
SJA

[Doctor T]

My first step would go back to the person that serviced the shocks

[Stu]

I would start with a recalibration

[SJA]

I will start with a recalibration then, anyone experienced a ESA swap out and teething problems after?

[Stu]

The only issues I have known of is due to needing a calibration afterwards and that sorted the issue

Hopefully yours is the same issue and it sorts it out

[SJA]

Just posting an update in case this helps anyone out in future and to ask for some more help. This week I bought a Unicarscan OBD and Motoscan. I was able to recalibrate the rear shock and heard it the suspension motor moving. Instant difference in the ride. It seems the dealer had not calibrated the suspension after fitting the shocks.

Weirdly, I needed to ask for calibration on the software quite a few times before it worked. I dont know why it was like this. I could not perform a front calibration, no matter how many times I tried Motoscan said no. No other error codes. The bike was on the centre stand.

Anyone experienced multiple tries with motoscan to calibrate their front shocks, and any ideas on what to try next?

Mvh
Simon

[MarkW]

You can't calibrate the front shock because there is no preload adjustment on that unit.

[Doctor T]

You can't calibrate the front shock because there is no preload adjustment on that unit.

Are you sure. When testing my ESA am sure the front moved as same as the rear

[SJA]

In case this helps anyone out in the future, if you cannot calibrate the rear ESA but are confident that the stepper motors are working, you might need to charge your battery fully before trying again.

I have read that a poorly charged battery can interrupt the programming on the ZFE and means the calibration can fails and that the sensor settings can be lost. Also reading elsewhere that there is no ESA calibration on the front for R1200RTs; It has rebound settings but no preload calibration.

Thanks for all the help here!

[MarkW]

Are you sure. When testing my ESA am sure the front moved as same as the rear

Absolutely sure. There is no mechanism (ZFE) for altering the preload on ESA1 or ESA2 front units, only damping adjustment - comfort/normal/sport - which is taken care of by the stepper motor in the lower part of the unit.

[MarkW]

I have read that a poorly charged battery can interrupt the programming on the ZFE and means the calibration can fails and that the sensor settings can be lost.

True - which is why it's advisable to perform the function with the engine running.

[Doctor T]

True - which is why it's advisable to perform the function with the engine running.

Ok. Learnt something new

[SJA]

Ah ok! I had the engine off when trying to calibrate for the first time with a pretty flat battery.....its winter here and bike has been sitting for a long time in a basement.

I bought an Optimate 4 charger, wish I had a long time ago, really nice piece of gear!

thanks for all the help here......

greez from Sweden

[Panman40]

Ah ok! I had the engine off when trying to calibrate for the first time with a pretty flat battery.....its winter here and bike has been sitting for a long time in a basement.

I bought an Optimate 4 charger, wish I had a long time ago, really nice piece of gear!

thanks for all the help here......

greez from Sweden

I’ve done a few esa calibrations using a GS911, my optimate 4 wasn’t man enough to keep the battery up whilst doing tasks so I bought a bigger Halfords charger for that purpose.