Öhlins electronic suspension package
Added on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Öhlins electronic suspension package
Top suspension manufacturer Öhlins has launched the first aftermarket replacement electronic suspension package.
The system replaces the BMW R1200GS’s factory-fit ESA electronic suspension and interacts directly with the bike’s ECU and existing user interface. In addition, the Öhlins system has a semi-active function, adjusting the damping settings automatically according to the bike’s speed.
The system comprises Öhlins EC front and rear shocks and an independent ECU which plugs directly into BMW’s own, allowing the rider to choose from the multiple riding modes already available on the R1200GS with ESA, with an added level of intelligence over the BMW original.
Öhlins suspension is also recognised as the highest quality available, so it should be an improvement anyway over the original.
In the semi-active aspect, when the bike is set in ‘Comfort’ mode the damping increases automatically at 50mph (80kph) to the firmer ‘Normal’ settings, then again at 75mph (120kph) to the ‘Sport’ settings to help maintain stability and sharp handling. As the speed decreases so the settings return to the softer ones again.
It’s not cheap though: when the system becomes available in November this year, it will cost around £2,500.
