Distinguishing between GS and GSA?

[Deleted account 200502001]

As you can all see from my recent annoying posts, I'm researching a potential used GSA purchase. But when looking at photos on Biketrader & ebay I've noticed differences in appearances with whats being passed off as a GS & GSA. Im wondering if some are actually GS bikes with added engine bars (is this possible?).

Both these two bikes are being advertised as being a 2009 GS Adventure, but there are obvious differences. Im guessing that only the 2nd one is actually a GSA?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Lower is the GSA up[per is a GS with alloy wheels and some Bastardised crash bars, Closest to a mix of the 2 was the 2009 GS1200SE which had wire wheels and was white , slightly higher seat height. Had one , it was nice but not as cossetting as the GSA .

 

[Bendy toy]

The GSA has a fat fuel tank with no metallic trim. The GSA is also more likely to have plain alloy cases and the add on top case carrier. Seat in the above picture is a two tone beige/grey GSA seat. GS generally has a black seat.
But all seats are swappable so take care.
GSA had a bigger screen with a secondary support brace.


Sent from my phone with mangled spelling

 

[Roymondo]

GSA has black frame tubes, GS tubes are usually silver. The GSA screen is bigger (although I don't think it's difficult to fit one to a GS) but the giveaway is the fuel tank - standard GS one has metallic trim and is much slimmer - the GSA tank has no shiny trim and is huge, with gert big lobes on either side that wrap halfway round your knees.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Thats the confirmation I needed, thanks. Quite a poor show that some sellers (including dealers) are advertising their bikes as GSA's when clearly they aren't. Its as if they are hoping a lesser educated person such as me will come along and hand over their cash unawares. At least I now know the details to spot them apart

By the way, what are the normal rules for test riding a 2nd hand bike? If I was the seller I wouldn't want to watch someone take my bike for a test ride, only never to come back! But as a buyer I obviously need to give it a test ride. I assume at a dealers you show them some ID or leave them your car and they let you take it for a spin?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Doesn't surprise me with normal punters but a dealer doing that is really bad. Care to name and shame?

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Doesn't surprise me with normal punters but a dealer doing that is really bad. Care to name and shame?

Here it is..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...quicksearch/true/page/9/radius/1500?logcode=p

In the Key Facts section under the photo its referred to as an Adventure. But I don't want to discredit them if they are simply referring to the fact is an Adventure type?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

If there are any that your really interested a vehicle check might be worth doing especially if your traveling any distance. They should all give you the make and model along with other stuff from the reg number.
Other than that there are loads of differences between the 2 as above. Some are pretty difficult or really expensive to change.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

And another...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...adius/1500/page/10/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Hmmm yes it's maybe a little sneaky but they are saying that it's a GS in the title.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Hmmm yes it's maybe a little sneaky but they are saying that it's a GS in the title.

This one is definitely titled 'Adveture'...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...adius/1500/page/10/quicksearch/true?logcode=p


I was going to delete the 2nd photo in my first post seeing as the advert is genuine and I was only using it as a guide, perhaps a mod can now delete it?

 

[birdseye]

The gs is an adventure bike for what that means. The gsa is an adventure bike too. So describing something as a gs adventure bike is quite legitimate.

 

[Bendy toy]

Just read the adverts carefully caveat emptor


Sent from my phone with mangled spelling

 

[adventuredon]

says R1200 GS ? have they changed the advert since your post? ?

Here it is..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...quicksearch/true/page/9/radius/1500?logcode=p

In the Key Facts section under the photo its referred to as an Adventure. But I don't want to discredit them if they are simply referring to the fact is an Adventure type?

 

[adventuredon]

this gs comes , it say in advert....- title is misleading, I agree. I Think they are using the title hoping it will be referenced as a keyword when searches are performed?

And another...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...adius/1500/page/10/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

says R1200 GS ? have they changed the advert since your post? ?

Look under the photo, in the Key Facts section is states 'Adventure'. But as birdseye says, maybe they are just referring to the GS being an Adventure type bike, and not actually an Adventure model?

 

[Roymondo]

In the Autotrader ads where it states "Adventure" in the Key Facts section, that is the type of bike, not the specific model description. Other bikes will have "Tourer", "Sports", "Commuter" etc in that section.

The one you mention that clearly says "Adventure" in the main title is not a "GS Adventure" - but then again all sorts of other words are used in those titles, such as "Low mileage", "Service History" or "One owner" when clearly they also form no part of the bike's model designation - but I don't see them as being any sort of a problem. I was intrigued though to see one described as a white ex-police RT with single seat, front and rear crash bars etc when the bike in the photos was a grey 1200GS (with dual seat and no crash bars)...