I like my ES, makes it easy for the wife to ride, complete floor board, but the 05 has that on the s also. I don't wear wadders or ever plan on going mudding so I like that I can put my feet up and shift or ride all over kneeling on the seat. My wife flipped our 04 end for end into a muddy pond and the ES was covered with mudd put it had no problems at all. But I will probably pull it apart this summer and clean it out and pack it with electrical grease. Also check the old post there has been many descusions about the S vs the ES
Good luck with the choice and welcome to the site
Good luck with the choice and welcome to the site