Damping issue with ESA on 2021 1250gs

[pcarnut1]

Got the bike new in July and the damping has always seemed really weak in Road mode, Dynamic not too bad.

At first service asked the dealer to do an ESA re-calibration, but either it wasn't done or made no difference.  So... bought a GS-911 USB.  Did a spring re-calibration and when I popped it off the center-stand, I have pretty much NO damping in Road mode, behaves like a pogo stick.  Tried changing the spring rates from MIN, Auto, and MAX, but no difference.  If the bike is not running then I have plenty of damping, but as soon as I fire it up the damping is non-existent. Dynamic works but seems weak.  I re-did the calibration but no difference, so not sure where to go from here, thanks.

[WayneC]

With such a new model it would be best to lodge a support ticket with Hexcode https://www.hexcode.co.za/contact-us-1

[pcarnut1]

Okay, will do.

[GS Jim]

Just to clarify, you are talking about damping and not preload, correct? You mention both in your post.
When you adjust preload can you actually see the spring being compressed? Do it on the centre stand and watch.

Even with damping set on the softest setting (road) it should not behave like a pogo stick, sounds like a internal shock issue, since the bike is new the dealer will probably have to replace it as I doubt they can rebuild it.

[pcarnut1]

^ Yes, this concerns the damping, NOT the spring pre-load.  On one of the forums there was some feedback regarding damping that doing a spring re-set helped with damping.  In my case, uh, not so much. 

I've started a ticket with Hex so I'll see if they come up with, or perhaps something I did or didn't do.  If all else fails I'll go back to the dealer, the bikes only 3 months old.

[GS Jim]

Ok understood. I doubt it is something you did, with only two damping selections (correct? other years GS had more) it is not possible to turn it into a pogo stick. Other than shocks designed for servicing ie motocross that condition has always been diagnosed as a failed shock requiring replacement.

[pcarnut1]

Ok understood. I doubt it is something you did, with only two damping selections (correct? other years GS had more) it is not possible to turn it into a pogo stick. Other than shocks designed for servicing ie motocross that condition has always been diagnosed as a failed shock requiring replacement.

  Thanks for the input.  Yes, only two damping setting which is kind of ridiculous for a premium brand bike.  My 2018 Tiger 1200 has 9 levels of damping from Soft to Sport and always felt balanced.  I suspect I'm going to end up putting a Wilburs on the rear, the stock unit is just not cutting it.

[pcarnut1]

So, wanted to wrap up this thread.  Kudos to Ruan from Hex, he was very responsive and great to deal with.  Turns out there is basically no damping present, either compression or rebound, when the bike is idling.  It will pogo up and down freely.  Once underway the damping kicks in.  Was on a ride with some friends and one of the guys had a 2018 GS1200 with ESA so we started his bike in neutral and it did the same thing as mine, so apparently this is intentional, no idea why.

On another note, on my 2021, when I one of my four enable ride modes includes and Enduro function, there are three damping modes, Road, Dynamic and Enduro available not just two, so a little bit of good came out of this exercise.

I wish someone built software that would allow adjustment of the basic rebound and comp setting instead of having to buy an entire new shock.  Sigh