OK, ES riders, tell me your thoughts..

[Warpdrv]

Wouldn't trade my ES.....

Fantastic value for roughly $1k over buying without and then realizing that the stock suspension just doesn't perform like an aftermarket one made for you..... and above that - making adjustments on the fly with an aftermarket suspension is a no go.... you need to stop, get off and dial up the setting you want to change....

Also - you already have a blue bike, if you don't need blue again - I'm sure there are plenty of deals out there with that boring Liquid Graphite 15 model to be had..... or that Hideous Red - I'd be willing to bet there are a couple of those left too....

 

[user 8909]

Thank you for your comments.

The 2016 will most likely be replacing my 05 with only 70K.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Nice pic!!

--G

 

[Intech]

Hell, that '05 is barely broken in! Still a damn good looking bike!

 

[WHS]

Well, while I was unable to ride my new ES for several months because of a little damage to my body from a quad crash, I did get to take several short trips prior to and one 1,000 miler in late October. What I found was the ease of changing the suspension to fit road conditions and riding style.

When I pull into town, I can soften the ride for all the bumps and it's real nice. When I am just out eating the miles, a nice mid-range is really comfy and when I get the urge to twist, well a quick switch to firm makes it just so much more enjoyable. In fact on my only trip, I was cruising a nice back road that started to get a little humpy... A quick adjustment and I no longer felt like I was on a roller coaster, things just smoothed right out. It was really nice!

Plus, as my previous bike was a 1998, and the bike before that an 88', I was not going to settle. The FJR was my dream bike and I wasn't going to quibble over a couple grand. I plan on having this bike at least until I retire in 10 years, so for me it wasn't even a question.

Now, I will say I saw a picture of the Silver European version and it looks really sweet! But I still prefer the 15' graphite, in fact I chose it over a 14' ES that I could have saved some money on. But for me, when I can afford it, I buy exactly what I want and as a result, I keep em' much longer and that's really the only way to get the value.

 

[art miller]

Thank you for your comments.
The 2016 will most likely be replacing my 05 with only 70K.

If you get the 2016 your neighbours will ask you if you did a makeover on your bike!! Make sure you get the ES. The 6th gear and LED lights will dazzle you.

 

[Warpdrv]

Those look like Blue Wheels on that Blue 05..... is that correct ?!?!

Looks nice......

Did that for my 15...... much better then the Black....

 

[user 8909]

Those look like Blue Wheels on that Blue 05..... is that correct ?!?!
Looks nice......

Did that for my 15...... much better then the Black....

Yes, powdercoated to a close match to my rack.

i took my rack in to make sure I got a good match, looked a samples and picked this color. The first time I went back to pick them up they were painted baby blue. I freaked out, after a few wtf's, they re-sandblasted and painted them the correct color.

I did the same to a 94K75s in mystic red. Should be standard procedure and from the factory IMO.

 

[Warpdrv]

I guess that means your going to Powdercoat the 16 blue as well....

I didn't like the black wheels that came on the 15, I prefer a little contrast....

Really looking forward to the impressions on the 16, can't wait to hear some feedback on the new trans, though I don't think it needs it... I was hoping heavily for that blue for the 15, coming off the 05 the same as you, but I couldn't wait anymore and wanted to upgrade to the ES.... super happy with the 15, you will love the upgrade.

 

[rushes]

Nice looking bike!

Elvis' Blue Suede Shoes song popped in to my head when I saw it.

It looks ready to dance...

 

[user 8909]

+1 yeah, sharp bike.

i like the black wheels on the 16 so I may live with it for awhile. From what I read the factory wheel paint isn't that durable but being black, dare I say, a rattle-can could easily touch up.

 

[gianter62]

Just a couple of questions.

On the ES model can i switch just preload and rebound or the -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 settings affecting compression too?

Can the ES rear shock absorber be rebuilt?

I would NOT go back to a non-ES model. However, you have to decide if having the ability to switch preload and rebound is important to you. If you ride a mixture of 1-up and 2-up then it may be. If you ride a mixture of slab, city, and curvy roads then it may be. I am not sure I have heard of anyone who bought an ES say they wish they hadn't. As for the suspension components, anyone know if YES will cover them? I will have 50k miles after only 3 1/2 years so if it does, I can have the components replaced!

 

[Uncle Hud]

gianter62 posted: Just a couple of questions. On the ES model can i switch just preload and rebound or the -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 settings affecting compression too? Can the ES rear shock absorber be rebuilt?

Yes, you can change preload and rebound (damping). Do one or both affect the spring compression? I'm not an expert, but I would think changing the spring compression is how the changes are made to preload and rebound (damping). You can only change preload (Solo, Solo + luggage, Two-Up, and Two-Up with luggage) while stopped, but you can change the rebound (damping: -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 ) at any time.

Can the ES rear shock absorber be rebuilt? Don't know. Someone else, who does know, will be around with the answer to that question. At the moment, I'm not aware that any rear shocks have been in use long enough to need rebuilding.

 

[gianter62]

Maybe i found answer to my first question in another thread.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/165601-is-the-es-suspension-upgrade-worth-going-from-a-2013-to-a-2015/

".. and others complain that there is no compression damping adjustment on the ES ... "

 

[RaYzerman19]

On the ES, the rebound is adjustable, but on the rear shock it will be tied to the compression damping somewhat. Same on GenII and most rear shocks with rebound adjusters and no compression adjusters. It's a compromise, so you just have to dial in your rebound where it works best.

We haven't identified a rebuilder yet, because I presume no one has asked one or needed one yet. The day is coming where we'll need to know. Meanwhile, get Y.E.S. because in the unlikely event that the rear shock fails, you ain't gonna like a $3000 bill.

 

[tby]

My only complaint about the ES is that it doesn't adjust itself automatically based on GPS or riding style. All too often I get into the twisties and wonder why I'm riding like **** and it's because I forgot to switch it from Soft+0 to Hard+3.

The tech doesn't concern me at all. It's a handful of little stepping motors. TEIN has been selling the same thing on automotive coilovers, minus the preload adjustment, for at least 10 years.

Would absolutely buy again.