ES performance vs Gen 2 with some work

[Auron]

I had a Gen 2 that did not perform well until I bought a Penske for it, mainly because the rear end couldn't sit up high where it's meant to be without it. The 6 speed ES is almost too much to resist but I'm not interested in modifying a bike that already costs to much,

Sooo, at 165lbs, will the ES keep me from having to buy a Penske or Ohlins in addition to fork work? I'm not looking for sportbike performance, just to make the most of what a 640lb bike can be.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Took my '14A for it's first jaunt the other day...... coming off an '07 with good aftermarket suspension...... Right out of the box, I was very surprised how well the suspension performed, amazingly compliant, good all around. To convince me it's almost as good as aftermarket is quite something. I haven't tested it in twisties yet, but I likely need to dial it in some more...... I'd say save your money and get a GenIII A for your weight and the OEM suspension will be quite fine. The ES guys will be along shortly to convince you all that adjustability is what you need.

 

[Intech]

I am coming off an '07 with GP Suspension fork rebuild and Penske rear with remote. That bike is like riding a rail in the corners. I can easily duplicate that with the 15ES, but I can also soften it up for a more cushy ride when I want it, front and rear. I love that feature.

Like any suspension the new one will wear after a certain number of miles and require servicing. The GEN ll stock suspension was only good for about 30k and then worn out. I put another 60k on the '07 after rebuild and all I have done since is fork oil, seals and bushings.

 

[Intech]

BTW the '07 is for sale. Easy fly and ride! I'll pick you up at the airport.

 

[gapiob]

what is "Penske rear"? it's a custom rear shock? as Ohlins? we havent this in europe, is it better than Ohlins? more expensive?

 

[El Toro Joe]

what is "Penske rear"? it's a custom rear shock? as Ohlins? we havent this in europe, is it better than Ohlins? more expensive?

https://shop.penskeshocks.com/8900-SERIES-FJR/

 

[gapiob]

thanks, I have juste search penske, and I see only yelow truck .

So it's close to Ohlin's.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Some would say better than Ohlins. That'd be those that spent money on Penske.

Some would say it's not better. That'd be those that spent money on Ohlins.

I say it's better.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Since the OP is a relative fly-weight, the ES has more than enough spring to keep you satisfied. All things considered, the ES is a very noble effort for stock suspension.

--G

 

[Mudslide Miller]

Since the OP is a relative fly-weight, the ES has more than enough spring to keep you satisfied. All things considered, the ES is a very noble effort for stock suspension.
--G

+1

 

[DocFJR]

On my 2014, the preload gets the shock high enough for me, but I can't get it as firm as I'd like it when in the curvy parts (160 lbs). Sure is comfy though, during the regular riding, and the electric preload alone makes the ES worth it for me. Great bike.

 

[Auron]

I guess my only other question is, are you gaining a better handling bike with the ES because the suspension is a higher quality, and/or damped better? Or is the adjustability what you pay for?

 

[Intech]

I guess my only other question is, are you gaining a better handling bike with the ES because the suspension is a higher quality, and/or damped better? Or is the adjustability what you pay for?

I would answer yes to both.

 

[Burnspot]

I'm in the same camp as Bob, my other FJR is an '07 (also for sale soon) with the Traxxion Dynamics treatment...Penske shock in the back and AK20 cartridges in the forks. The bike is very firm and is on rails in the mountains. On my '15 ES, I can match that performance with the electronics...the main difference is that when I'm done hammering it and hop back on the slab to cruise home, I can dial the suspension back and turn it into a couch...can't so easily do that with the '07. The ES is very much worth it. Bob's experience includes 2up as well...that's something to consider.

 

[Jack D]

But what is the cost to rebuild/replace the new electronic suspension? Intech says his GenII shock needed replacement at 30K miles. I have heard that Ohlins says to rebuild it's shocks at 20 Kmiles. It took several years for companies to come out with shocks for BMW's electronic suspension. May be a non issue for somebody that rides 3K a year but for someone who rides 30K it could be a significant annual expense.

 

[Fred W]

Maybe.

I don't know that many people whose stock shock was really gone at 30k, unless they had seriously over loaded the bike. More people replaced them just to get an improved shock from stock unit which was less than great to begin with, rather than because it was actually "broken."

The aftermarket shocks do require rebuilding more often, which is one reason I did not mind leaving the aftermarket behind and going with the OEM on the ES. If I had bought an A model I'd probably have wanted to put a Penske or Ohlins on it, and be back to the bi-annual rebuilds.

Yamaha is selling a lot of ES bikes. They are creating a market for shock rebuilding services. Where there is a market of this size, there will be someone to fill that need soon enough. My strategy is to split my riding time between multiple bikes so that by the time I need to rebuild my FJR ES shock there is someone doing that.

 

[Auron]

OK I lied, one more question. Can the ES forks be serviced by someone that has successfully done traditional forks many times? Or is it going to have to be done by a professional and if so, how much for a seal & oil change?

 

[RaYzerman19]

The ES forks don't look all that hard, but there are some things you are going to have to do...... get the seals out by prying or with a puller tool (there are no bushings to use as a slide hammer), and follow the FSM in particular where it tells you how to reset the hex drives for the stepper motors. I don't see much of anything you couldn't do. I would have a cartridge holding tool handy just in case (26mm socket w/pipe handle).

I also have a feeling we're gonna hear a whole lot more soon..... all those ES's with accumulating mileage just dying for a fork oil change any minute now.

 

[Intech]

My 15 will need fork service before the end of this riding season. Maybe that is what I will do after retiring from the power industry.