The ESA on my R1250RS is better than I realized

[Grumpy Goat]

On my R1200RS I could feel the bike raise or lower when changing preload but the bike had to be running.

There is the operative word ... running. On my "old RS" the suspension changes height / stiffness when the bike is stopped and running. I typically do this while sitting on the bike, but I expect that it would be no different if it was on the sidestand and I was standing to the side fiddling with the controls.

Ron wasn't entirely clear ... sounds like his bike was ON but not running ...?