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Description
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TRACTIVE PLUG & PLAY ESA FRONT SHOCK / Complete ESA Shock Replacement // R1200RT 2014-On
**TracTive Plug & Play ESA shocks are specially designed for the original BMW ESA equipment. This set replaces not only the dampers and springs, but also the BMW ESA equipment, while retaining the original integration into the BMW ESA system**
The engineers at TracTive invented ESA for BMW back in 2005, so you can count on their system functionality. They have stronger and higher quality built ESA conversions, available in standard height as well as 25mm low.
TracTive ESA conversion benefits include:
- Stainless steel reducer bushings (where the bolts pass through the mounting eyelets). Other companies use aluminum which is a softer material, and can contract or deform shape over time
- The same reinforced seal head as used in the Touratech Adventure bike shocks (TracTive manufactures shocks for Touratech). This seal head is very robust, provides long life, and rarely develops leaks
- 16mm induction hardened, chro-moly shafts. 16mm shafts are stronger and flow more oil through the pistons compared to smaller shaft diameters used on different brands
- Many front shocks have 46mm bodies with the above mentioned 16mm shafts (where space allows). This allows for better cooling compared to the smaller 36mm bodied shocks used by some of the competition
- TracTive shocks come with their own rebound motors. This means that (in most cases) the front shocks are a complete, ready to bolt in application. For the rear, only the preload motor needs to be harvested, so only the rear stock shock would need to be sent in to us to complete the conversion
- Rear shocks feature a “PDS” valve – Position dependent Damping System – Utilizing a secondary piston, this system creates a “pillow” effect designed to progressively increase damping to reduce harsh bottom outs. This feature is normally found only in the top of the line “Extreme” Touratech shocks
- On most applications, there is the option to replace a failed OEM preload motor with a TracTive Electronic preload motor or TracTive Hydraulic preload motor. This creates an option for those with failing OEM motors to retain all adjusting features on their ESA shocks
Customer Ratings & Reviews
Ratings Snapshot
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Would recommend this product.
100%
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5
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Would recommend this product.
100%
R1250RT Tractive Shocks
Location:
Date: July 10, 2025
Couple years ago I reached out to Ted and his Shop to inquire about a suspension upgrade. Having read some good online reviews about him and the shop on various sites.
Initially for a 2015 BMW 1200RT LC, but by the time I got around to it, I had upgraded to a 2019 1250RT. Ted had patiently answered all my questions, and I had many.
What surprised me the most was, regardless of when I sent a message, Ted would respond shortly. Sunday, no issue, middle of the night, there was a response.
I think he has his phone under his pillow 🙂 Needless to say , BeemerShop customer service and response is something you rarely see these days.
Sent them all the info, eventually all the parts for the exchange and upgrades and within a few days I had all that stuff right back. Me being me, there were more questions of course. And patiently they answered them all.
We all have become somewhat cynical about so called “Experts” these days, and considering I work with machines and have worked on my bikes for decades, I was somewhat (being nice to myself) of a pain in the butt for those guys.
And Ted was probably thinking: “Those guys that think they know it all, are truly a pain in the ass to those of us who do”
But they were (are) professionals and continued to answer my questions.
The End Result:
I have now been riding the bike for a few months, takes it a little while to work itself in, and took me some time to have time to actually ride the bike (one of several I own) to get some miles on it.
The changes are so inconspicuous, appear to be so subtle, but yet, they are huge.
Bike feels more light footed, turn in first couple times surprised me as to how fast the bike now wanted to drop into a corner. Smooth. Oh so smooth.
Down the street from us, they resurfaced the roads. And I ran the RT over the new surface several times. Marveling at the filled potholes and how smooth the roads now were. Enjoyed it. Enjoyed the new suspension, or so I thought.
Couple days after going down that new road on the redone RT I rode the same stretch on my 2015 1200R LC, and holy macro what a difference.
While the RT was gliding over this new “road surface” without any bumps or vibrations, smooth as glass, the R was bouncing all over the place. Was like going over railroad ties. Forced me to take a closer look at the road surface, because I could not believe the difference.
Next day, went back with the RT. Smooth as glass.
Along the whole road surface you can see ridges across the road. Lines going across both lanes, varying heights and thickness.
And while the R (yes it is OEM suspension and its stiffer then usually the RT) amplified every little pump and bounced like I was on a gravel road, the RT with the new BeemerShop TracTive suspension just turned it into a magic carpet.
That in turn made me take the bike up into the North Georgia Mountains. Blood Mountain etc. And the RT took those corners in the same way it took that bumpy new road surface. Confident, smooth, well balanced.
Switched it to Dynamic and tried to maximize my tire utilization, and was surprised by how confidence inspiring this Tractive suspension truly was.
While my rear end grabbed the seat a few times, the suspension and bike never flinched. Tires sticking to the road, taking peaks making them smooth curves.
Initially for a 2015 BMW 1200RT LC, but by the time I got around to it, I had upgraded to a 2019 1250RT. Ted had patiently answered all my questions, and I had many.
What surprised me the most was, regardless of when I sent a message, Ted would respond shortly. Sunday, no issue, middle of the night, there was a response.
I think he has his phone under his pillow 🙂 Needless to say , BeemerShop customer service and response is something you rarely see these days.
Sent them all the info, eventually all the parts for the exchange and upgrades and within a few days I had all that stuff right back. Me being me, there were more questions of course. And patiently they answered them all.
We all have become somewhat cynical about so called “Experts” these days, and considering I work with machines and have worked on my bikes for decades, I was somewhat (being nice to myself) of a pain in the butt for those guys.
And Ted was probably thinking: “Those guys that think they know it all, are truly a pain in the ass to those of us who do”
But they were (are) professionals and continued to answer my questions.
The End Result:
I have now been riding the bike for a few months, takes it a little while to work itself in, and took me some time to have time to actually ride the bike (one of several I own) to get some miles on it.
The changes are so inconspicuous, appear to be so subtle, but yet, they are huge.
Bike feels more light footed, turn in first couple times surprised me as to how fast the bike now wanted to drop into a corner. Smooth. Oh so smooth.
Down the street from us, they resurfaced the roads. And I ran the RT over the new surface several times. Marveling at the filled potholes and how smooth the roads now were. Enjoyed it. Enjoyed the new suspension, or so I thought.
Couple days after going down that new road on the redone RT I rode the same stretch on my 2015 1200R LC, and holy macro what a difference.
While the RT was gliding over this new “road surface” without any bumps or vibrations, smooth as glass, the R was bouncing all over the place. Was like going over railroad ties. Forced me to take a closer look at the road surface, because I could not believe the difference.
Next day, went back with the RT. Smooth as glass.
Along the whole road surface you can see ridges across the road. Lines going across both lanes, varying heights and thickness.
And while the R (yes it is OEM suspension and its stiffer then usually the RT) amplified every little pump and bounced like I was on a gravel road, the RT with the new BeemerShop TracTive suspension just turned it into a magic carpet.
That in turn made me take the bike up into the North Georgia Mountains. Blood Mountain etc. And the RT took those corners in the same way it took that bumpy new road surface. Confident, smooth, well balanced.
Switched it to Dynamic and tried to maximize my tire utilization, and was surprised by how confidence inspiring this Tractive suspension truly was.
While my rear end grabbed the seat a few times, the suspension and bike never flinched. Tires sticking to the road, taking peaks making them smooth curves.
Bottom line – one heck of an upgrade. One I can whole heartedly recommend from a shop and crew I wont ask any more questions off (I can hear a sigh of relieve from you 🙂 guys) when I send them the suspension for the R later this year.
Appreciate your work, your guidance and most of all your patience.
Peter S. 2019 R1250RT
Recommended
Long Overdue Product Review Tractive FRONT ESA
RC51 Tofuman
Location: Irvine, California
Date: Apr10l 12, 2020
1st my Rear ESA Failed. Once I had it replaced the BMW Computer wouldn’t detect my Front ESA. I called on a Saturday and Ted actually answered the phone to explain to me what could be wrong. Logically thinking if the BMW Computer isn’t detecting the Front ESA…..then the Front ESA could dead. My RT would rebound and my ride was rough. I went ahead and purchased a Front ESA from Beemershop. Now I have matching ESA Front and Rear. Back on Cloud 9 riding like a Cadillac. Talk about losing the ride comfort and discovering it again!!!! Ted was very responsive and communicative with the product. I appreciate the customer service. Thankyou Beemershop
Recommended
38BM14-P1153
Location:
Date: March 31, 2020
I put close to 1000 miles on the Front and Rear ESA. I am riding on Cloud9/Cadillac again. Unbelievable what a difference the dampening /ESA makes…..Makes me appreciate the suspension technology much more. Stay Safe and thank you for the customer service. I am definitely Glad I found your company.
Tyler L.
2017 R1200RT-LC
Tyler L.
2017 R1200RT-LC
Recommended
Tractive ESA
Location:
Date: December 4, 2016
Hi Ted, I ordered a set of Tractive Shocks (Dynamic ESA) from you (for 2015 R1200RT-LC) at the BMWMOA Rally in Hamburg this past year. After the riding season this year (November) I coordinated the process of sending in the rear shock and subsequent shipment of the new Tractive Shocks with Jeff Favorite. He was very easy to work with and provided great customer service. I recently received the new shocks and after installing the rear shock I coordinated the installation of the front shock with Countryside BMW. Over the years I have installed and or had numerous motorcycles with modified suspensions. FOX, Works Performance (shows my age lol), Penske (along with the forks both modified by GP Suspension), Wilburs and numerous Ohlins shocks have been installed on my bikes. With out a doubt the shocks from Tractive are the best suspension modification I have ever had on a motorcycle. The suspension is much better than the stock suspension was when it was new. At the Rally Jeff Favorite said the bumps on your favorite bumpy road would basically disappear and they have! At the same time the suspension seems well planted and predictable through the curves. I have done a dozen or so track days over the years so I enjoy going quickly through the curves and the Tractive suspension seems like it will perform exceptional well at speed. It was 38 degrees when trying out the suspension so I did not push it much through the curves but what I did experience indicated the bike will be a lot of fun next year!! Thanks for the great service and great product.
Recommended
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