ESE install on K69

[53jd]

Where is the servo for the healtech ESE located? On a US XR forum a guy in Italy posted 7 months ago a pic of the unit down near the rear right peg. Pulling right peg off only revealed wires running into frame (inaccessible). Do I need to pull battery and battery base plate?

[Diavel]

If you have time watch this as I think it may help? Its for the RR but the approach may be similar 😊

[Antares]

Is the ESE even needed? can't you just disconnect the wires from both ends of the exhaust flap? It shouldn't give a light on the dash, although it will store a minor error code in the ECU, but absolutely nothing that'd affect day to day operation.

[esso_sa]

You need ESE on K69, otherwise it will throw an error and go into limp mode.

I've installed Healtech ESE on my K69 and it works great. These are the steps

1. You need to undo the 2 bolts holding the right peg/rear brake pedal assembly to the frame and move everything out of the way
2. Then you undo one small bolt that holds the cover over the exhaust flap mechanism. Part of the cover is clipped in so be careful not to break it
3. After removing the cover, undo the nuts holding the cables in place, just enough so you can slide the cables out of the flap control wheel
4. Now you need to remove the exhaust servo - it is behind the frame where the right peg assembly is. It is held in place by just one bolt. Just behind the rear brake fluid reservoir. Remove that bolt.
5. Disconnect the connector from the exhaust servo. You need a small flat screwdriver to undo the clip securing the connector in place.
6. Pull the exhaust servo to the rear, at the same angle as it sits from factory. Other side of it is fixed to the frame via plastic pins (they slide into rubber mounts on the frame) so don't bend and force the servo - you will break those pins if you do.  At the same time push the cables behind the frame to give it some room and keep doing that until you pull the entire unit with cables out
7. Plug in the ESE, fix it with the provided zip ties and that's it

It is a really simple process. Took me about 30 minutes for everything

One more thing I forgot to mention - exhaust flap is spring loaded and its default position is fully open. My advice it to secure it additionally with a piece of wire. Heard some stories that the exhaust flow at high rpm's could overcome the exhaust flap spring tension, making the flap to close at wide open throttle, so securing it additionally would be wise

[53jd]

Esso_Sa, Antares and Diavel:

Thank you for your input and advice. After watching Diavel's utube video, it appears the ESE mod is more of a "noise Abatement" mod, than an actual mod to change BMW software which could effect altercation to engine software mitigating factory warranty of 3/36.

I'll try install on Diavel's vid after I get all parts involved.

[garyculb]

HealTech ESE Mod to 2021 XR Sport leaving the Exhaust Servo in place.

The HealTech you want for the Gen 2 XR is ES-BM1 (https://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/ese ).

To do the modification make sure the suspension is in AUTO & put the bike on the center stand. Remove the right footpeg assembly and move it out of the way. The Exhaust valve is covered by a cap held in place with a screw & some metal tabs. Remove the exhaust valve cover. Make sure your exhaust valve is in the open/ default position. Two small metal tabs will abut each other if it is.



Wire the two metal tabs together so, the exhaust servo cannot close. Allegedly, this can occur at very high rpm's when the exhaust servo is disabled.


Unplug/ disconnect the electrical plug on the bottom left of the exhaust servo unit. I used a long medium screw driver. You most likely will not be able to completely unplug the servo without advancing the exhaust servo out of its mount.
There is a single screw attached to a bracket that holds the Gen XR servo in place. Remove this screw.



I do not have any photo's of the rest of the steps. Slowly advance/move the exhaust servo superiorly & posteriorly toward the rear of the bike. There are two plastic round tabs holding it in place. Advance the servo enough to unplug it. The servo does not have to go out very far for this to occur. Now, move the servo back in place and replace the mounting screw. Plug in the HealTech ESE. It is doable with a little patience. Secure your ESE with a zip tie. I moved mine so it was visible.


After I made the HealTech ESE Mod to my 2021 XR Sport I went back I checked everything with my 911WiFi. There were NO FAULT CODES/ ERRORS.

Yes, you could easily remove the exhaust servo. I left in place in case I did not like the mod.

Some effects I noticed from this modification that allows the Exhaust valve to be open all the time.

Positive:
-The bike is noticeably louder at start up and while riding. I found this a plus since, I usually use the sound of the bike to determine times for shifting. Yes, the bike still goes to low rpm's at start up if it is cold.
-1st & 2nd gear seemed more useable. This seemed to make the bike faster to me. It could have been the sound?
- There was no effect on the cruise control.

Negative:
-There is a mild backfiring or puffing between 4-5,000 rpm on deceleration. There is no loud barking or popping. Also at these rpm's the mirrors vibrated making it difficult to see. Never had that vibration effect on the mirrors before the mod. They used to be rock solid.
-I thought the Quickshift Pro was affected. It was not as clean/easly movable/smooth as I had noticed it before the mod. I had to blip the throttle to get it to upshift. It could be me since this is the first bike I have owned with this feature? Hopefully others that make this mod can comment on any changes that occur to the Gen 2 XR Quick Shift Assit Pro??

Conclusion:
After only 100 miles I like this mod. For around $60 it is pretty good.

Best,

Doc

[53jd]

Thanks Doc!!!!

This is detailed, documented and photographed enough to give me guidance moving forward with confidence.

Appreciate your time, patience and effort installing this MOD and sharing will all who read this.

[Antares]

As for negatives and positives I doubt it's down to the exhaust servo, might be just perception/placebo. I've installed full exhaust including headers which has done away with the exhaust servo and it didn't have any negative effect on the shifter. The bike was smoother (not by much, especially down low) and more powerful though even without a tune. Although this was all done on a Gen 1 i doubt it's different on the Gen 2, the servo is the same.

[garyculb]

Antares is correct. I went back & resest the transmission with my 911 WiFi and the quickshifter is back to normal. You can also do this without a 911 WiFi? Here is a video that assisted me:

Not too sure about the backfiring. Need to go to the mountains to see if it makes a difference.

Best,

Doc