Suspension Setup - ESA Models

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

AJBotha

Race Dog
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
591
Reaction score
6
Location
Pietermaritzburg
Bike
KTM 1190 Adventure
Hi Guys

I was wondering if I should revive any of the old topics as listed in the index,
Suspension - general:
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=102620.0
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=122852.0 (set-up 1)
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=153063.0 (set-up 2)

or start a new one. I went trough all of the topics and the first one is too technical,
the second one doesn't tell me much and by the third one I am reading more of the same.

Reason for me asking is that I bottomed out through a dip this weekend, was carrying my wife and about 15 kg of luggage.

As far as I understand the ESA settings adjust the preload - or is it dampening?

Before we came back I gave the knob under my seat a good few turns clockwise (prob around 10), and then used Sport on the highway and Comfort on the dirt.

I didn't bottom out again but I was a bit more cautious. I couldn't feel much of a difference in handling, the front felt a little lighter and thus less responsive -
the opposite of what I expected?

On which ESA setting should the bike be when I fiddle with the knob, the "Normal" mode I presume?
Then Sport would give more preload end comfort less preload?

What settings do you use when? I would like to set my bike up for 2-up riding for the dirt, and then just use Sport mode for when I commute - stiffens up the suspension as far as I know.

OBVIOUSLY I am clueless and would appreciate input!

I weigh 90, my wife 60-70, and I have a top box with goodies probably worth 10kg when we go for a ride.
 
Top