Please explain the suspension

[Jaxman]

Hello, test drove a gen2 S1000xr in the light Grey colour (2021 they tell me). Bloody awesome bike. I’m coming from Ducatis so many terms etc and systems are a little new to me, hopefully someone can clarify.

Dealer said this bike is the standard bike, yet it has; hill control, heated grips, cruise control amongst other things. It also has dynamic pro riding mode. This one also had a traditional key, which doesn’t bother me.

What I’m really interested in and confused about is the suspension. I think it only has Dynamic ESA. When I toggled the suspension switch the only option was road and then the ability to adjust dampening based on the load (1 rider or pillion then bags etc). It just had road then helmet with bags etc. no dynamic and auto. Is my assumption correct about this… no Dynamic ESA Pro (but it definitely had a dynamic pro riding mode??). If that’s the case, is it possible to get this added via a software unlock or some such thing ( is all the hardware there) . Is it even really needed? It would be nice to have but not a deal breaker, how do people find it. I must say I was pretty impressed with what was already there. I only really ride the bike by myself, no touring. Is it possible to manually adjust outside the electronics if needed?

Anyway, cracking bike. Very different to the vtwins. Very soft throttle opening till you get to around 3k rpm. Very deceptively quick bike, luv the sound it makes too. The display is a revelation to me.  Anyway thanks again, ride safe. Cheers B

[RyanGTXR]

Unlike Ducati's a lot of things (heated grips etc.) come as std on an XR.
If it's DSA it will have different riding modes as standard, not ridden a Gen2 so don't know exactly what it shows, but should have Road, Dynamic and Auto (Gen1 just has Road and Dynamic)

[JohnnyBeGood]

Gen 2 is a little confusing:
Engine mode has Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro. Dynamic Pro only available when released by settings.
Shock damping has Road and Dynamic, hence the confusion.
Spring load, with ESA Pro, just Auto and Low. Without ESA Pro probably the helmet/luggage setting.
When in doubt you can download the manual from the BMW site.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Jaxman

Hello, test drove a gen2 S1000xr in the light Grey colour (2021 they tell me). Bloody awesome bike. I’m coming from Ducatis so many terms etc and systems are a little new to me, hopefully someone can clarify.

Dealer said this bike is the standard bike, yet it has; hill control, heated grips, cruise control amongst other things. It also has dynamic pro riding mode. This one also had a traditional key, which doesn’t bother me.

What I’m really interested in and confused about is the suspension. I think it only has Dynamic ESA. When I toggled the suspension switch the only option was road and then the ability to adjust dampening based on the load (1 rider or pillion then bags etc). It just had road then helmet with bags etc. no dynamic and auto. Is my assumption correct about this… no Dynamic ESA Pro (but it definitely had a dynamic pro riding mode??). If that’s the case, is it possible to get this added via a software unlock or some such thing ( is all the hardware there) . Is it even really needed? It would be nice to have but not a deal breaker, how do people find it. I must say I was pretty impressed with what was already there. I only really ride the bike by myself, no touring. Is it possible to manually adjust outside the electronics if needed?

Anyway, cracking bike. Very different to the vtwins. Very soft throttle opening till you get to around 3k rpm. Very deceptively quick bike, luv the sound it makes too. The display is a revelation to me.  Anyway thanks again, ride safe. Cheers B

Gen 2 you hold the suspension button down to change preload on the rear, tap to change damping front and rear. No preload adjustment in front by default.

Preload options are Min, Max and and Auto. Auto should handle everything you need but if you're vertically challenged you might find solace in Min, Max I'm not sure where you'd use apart from when you're heavily packed and finding Auto a little soft.

Damping as mentioned above is Road and Dynamic and Auto. Think the gen 2 Auto has the widest range of available damping whereas Road limits it to the softer half of the available range and Dynamic the harsher half of the range, but it's still a range.

Road and Dynamic (and probably Auto) have different definitions in different riding modes though. Like in Rain Road might be 1-5, Dynamic 6-10, whereas in Dynamic riding mode it might be 3-7 in road and 8-12 in Dynamic, or something along those lines.

These are all preset and cannot be adjusted individually but BMW does an excellent job at choosing the right settings for riding styles so it's never been a hindrance even on my Gen 1 and that's slightly less adaptable.

[garyculb]

Originally Posted by Antares

Gen 2 you hold the suspension button down to change preload on the rear, tap to change damping front and rear. No preload adjustment in front by default.

Preload options are Min, Max and and Auto. Auto should handle everything you need but if you're vertically challenged you might find solace in Min, Max I'm not sure where you'd use apart from when you're heavily packed and finding Auto a little soft.

Damping as mentioned above is Road and Dynamic and Auto. Think the gen 2 Auto has the widest range of available damping whereas Road limits it to the softer half of the available range and Dynamic the harsher half of the range, but it's still a range.

Road and Dynamic (and probably Auto) have different definitions in different riding modes though. Like in Rain Road might be 1-5, Dynamic 6-10, whereas in Dynamic riding mode it might be 3-7 in road and 8-12 in Dynamic, or something along those lines.

These are all preset and cannot be adjusted individually but BMW does an excellent job at choosing the right settings for riding styles so it's never been a hindrance even on my Gen 1 and that's slightly less adaptable.

 Agree with Anares.

 Own a Regular height Gen 2 XR. Set it up for Sports Touring. As soon as you place a signifcant load on the bike the Dynamic ESA Pro set in Auto immediately raises the ride to the highest postion. If you a bit vertcally challenged this can become a very uncomfortable situation. After dropping my XR twice I had to lower the bike (https://www.s1000rrforum.com/threads/lowering-a-gen-2-xr-with-hyperpro-rear-shock-spring-20-mm.249483/ ). Very ecstatic about the result.

My point being if you are vertically challenged get a LOW Gen 2 XR. Otherwise, you may end up riding arround on a Reg Height Gen 2 XR in Min. Dynamic ESA Pro set in Min in my option is not as fun as Auto. I do not know but, my understanding is that the LOW Gen 2 XR's do not come with Dynamic ESA Pro.

 Best,

Doc

[Salem]

I do like that summary of Antares  . On the Gen2 the Dynamic Pro is an option I believe (but software, not the Gen1 shortening plug). I have it but was not activated. In vehicle settings you need to switch it on, then it is visible when you hit the mode button (4 dots instead of 3). And you can customize the Pro mode in settings.
The Pro mode assumes you have the right tires, and wheel slip will happen with touring tires if you ride sporty

[Jaxman]

Thanks for all the replies it’s all really helpful. Attached image  is all I can see on the display, so I guess this bike doesn’t have that option then? Is it something I need to switch on in settings, I looked but didn’t see anything.

[garyculb]

If you road a REGULAR Height Gen 2 XR then, the bike either does not have Dynamic ESA Pro or it has not been activated by the dealer. My BMW Motorrad Dealer said they could not turn off my Dynamic ESA Pro????

Best,

Doc

[Salem]

Originally Posted by garyculb

My BMW Motorrad Dealer said they could not turn off my Dynamic ESA Pro????

If you have it you just switch in on and off in settings.. Select vehicle settings, scroll down, it's the last one just on the next page. Uncheck Dynamic Pro. Done

[garyculb]

Originally Posted by Salem

If you have it you just switch in on and off in settings.. Select vehicle settings, scroll down, it's the last one just on the next page. Uncheck Dynamic Pro. Done

HA, HA, HAAAAaaaa!!

You actualy got me to go out in the garage to check & see if this would work... Got to love that European Humor?

DOES NOT WORK ON MY 2021 BMW S1000XR in the USA.

Best,

Doc