Is the ES suspension upgrade worth going from a 2013 to a 2015?
- Thread starter montanaman
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montanaman
Member
Thanks everyone. I am going to make the move to a "15 ES". It seems worth it.
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
I think that would be a terrible mistake. Then you will have nothing to look forward to, no dream to pursue. You will be riding the pinnacle of Sport Touring goodness and technology, nothing will offer any improvement for you. Your hopes and dreams will all have been realized and there will be nothing left to work for, nothing to strive for.
Except...
Riding. Riding every road, everywhere, every chance you get.
Good luck, I hope your 'ES makes you as happy as mine makes me.
red2kcbr
Well-known member
Another vote for ES. Our miles are mostly two-up, and we vary our luggage load, so I find the ES to be well worth the cost. Sold an '05 with the group-buy Wilburs shock and fork spring upgrade. Those parts really made a difference over the stock suspension, but the ES, in my opinion, is even better. Of course, there are superior (and more expensive) solutions than the Wilburs, but I ain't fast enough to tell the difference.
The only downside to the ES? Had to get a bit more boot to compensate for the increased seat height of the two-up plus luggage setting.
If ES were not an option, we'd still be rolling miles on the '05. Damn fine bike, the FJR, even without a lot of luxury add-ons.
The only downside to the ES? Had to get a bit more boot to compensate for the increased seat height of the two-up plus luggage setting.
If ES were not an option, we'd still be rolling miles on the '05. Damn fine bike, the FJR, even without a lot of luxury add-ons.
Heen
Barefooter
I never ride 2 up but change dampening on the fly regularly. Highway riding I set at Soft -3 and then get on back roads and change to hard zero. Worth it to me.
Definitely worth it. My three preset rebound settings are Soft -2, Std 0, Hard +3. When on the slab, it is set on Soft, regular city and country roads it is set on Std, on curvy roads marked 35mph or lower it is set on Hard. Also, change the Preload to 2up when solo and riding in the curves to get a little more ground clearance and lean angle. This will change the bike from a constant peg dragger to only scraping when pushed over a huge amount. And as long as the road surface is not compromised by debris and you use good tires, you can scrape and not be beyond the bike's and tire's ability to maintain traction.
Warpdrv
Well-known member
All these settings suggestions vary with the weight of the rider.....
One size does not fit all... I am def loving the ES feature on the bike - plus all the other new GEN 3 additions....
Grip Heaters, Cruise, Trac control, ABS
Couldn't be more thrilled with this machine...
One size does not fit all... I am def loving the ES feature on the bike - plus all the other new GEN 3 additions....
Grip Heaters, Cruise, Trac control, ABS
Couldn't be more thrilled with this machine...
Totally agree with the response. In addition, I swear the ES is a much better handling machine than my `07 was, just by virtue of the upgraded suspension components. Turn-in, tracking and exiting are all improved with the new set up ! Oops, almost forgot to mention the B023 tires,,,,they may also have something to do with the added handling. At the risk of blow back here, I do think they work better on this machine than the Mich. Pilot Rds did on my old bike.
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mcatrophy
Privileged to ride a 2018 FJR1300AS
Can't compare the ES with the Gen 3 A, but as 15wannabe says, the handling of my AS is much, much better than the Gen 2.
When I first got mine, I found it very harsh. Over the miles, it's become a bit better (or I've grown more used to it). I do believe it's oversprung for my weight (145 or 150 pounds depending on what She's been feeding me).
But the confidence in its handling is well worth any discomfort. Yes, I have played with the suspension settings and do change them according to conditions, soft is reserved for slabs, standard for most riding, hard for twisties, particularly if the road surface is less than perfect. Apart from initial experimenting and once when I took a passenger, preload remains at rider only.
OEM tyres, BT023F, have been very satisfactory. Rear replaced prematurely after a puncture, front still on at about 9000 miles, beginning to show signs of needing a little bar pressure through turns (but nothing like the old BT021 after 3000 miles!). It's almost due for replacement, just about down to the wear bars. Rear replacement is a BT023 (not F, not GT), I'll replace the front with a 023 or T30.
Hey, wannabe, you'll have to change your name. 15happychappy?
When I first got mine, I found it very harsh. Over the miles, it's become a bit better (or I've grown more used to it). I do believe it's oversprung for my weight (145 or 150 pounds depending on what She's been feeding me).
But the confidence in its handling is well worth any discomfort. Yes, I have played with the suspension settings and do change them according to conditions, soft is reserved for slabs, standard for most riding, hard for twisties, particularly if the road surface is less than perfect. Apart from initial experimenting and once when I took a passenger, preload remains at rider only.
OEM tyres, BT023F, have been very satisfactory. Rear replaced prematurely after a puncture, front still on at about 9000 miles, beginning to show signs of needing a little bar pressure through turns (but nothing like the old BT021 after 3000 miles!). It's almost due for replacement, just about down to the wear bars. Rear replacement is a BT023 (not F, not GT), I'll replace the front with a 023 or T30.
Hey, wannabe, you'll have to change your name. 15happychappy?
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I too found the B023 tires to perform well. The rear tire was down t the wear bars at 9800 miles while the front still had half tread. I now run PR2's and a 190/55 rear. Other than a more responsive turn in now, I do not notice any degree of performance difference. The 190 makes it even more easy to get the bike on the center stand. As for suspension settings, I have never tried the soft setting. I perceived it would make the bike ride like a sofa couch. Next time on the slab I will give it a try.
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vandy
Well-known member
I just have one question on the ES verses the A? Is the suspension the only difference or are there other things also on the es
Electronic Suspension, stiffer rear spring, upside down forks, about .2" less ground clearance, and mud flap in front of the rear tire.
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Allen, I am confused about the .2 inch less ground clearance. Is that because of the lower mounting point on the rear shock? Because I know for a fact the ES is taller than the A. The seat height is higher and there is more ground clearance at the foot pegs. If you are sitting on the bike and start bumping up the rear preload you can actually feel the ES getting taller.
I'm not sure why the ground clearance is less on the ES but if you look at Yamaha's website it lists the A as having 5.1" and the ES as having 4.3", so it is actually .8" less (I thought it was only .2"). I assume that the ES is measured when set at single rider with no luggage. You can get another half inch or more by changing to two riders with luggage.
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
I agree with what the website says but have you parked your ES next to an "A"? Have you sat on an A model? I can flat foot an A but I have to tip toe on my ES. Since everything but the suspension is the same... There is also more available lean angle with the ES but that could be due to spring rate, compression, or whatever. I can almost follow hppants on his A model with my ES even though he is a much faster rider.
