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Motorcycle Parts - OEM or Aftermarket ?


This is always a difficult one to answer when shopping for motorcycle parts and I firmly believe that each one of us must decide what's best for our bikes AFTER carefully evaluating each of the possibilities.

For me?

Well... it really depends on what I am looking for - just replacement or improvement - , the availability of the part, my budget and other things. Sometimes I buy OEM, others aftermarket motorcycle parts.

Keep reading. You will find some views that will hopefully help you decide the next time you shop for motorcycle parts.

What a heck are OEM parts??

OEM parts stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer parts which not necessarily mean the OM (Original Manufacturer) actually produced them. You know, many motorcycle and automobile manufacturers don't manufacture each of the parts used in their vehicles. They frequently have the parts designed and manufactured by outside independent companies and then, install them in their machines or put them in their own boxes to be sold as OEM parts!

Good to know when buying OEM Motorcycle Parts:

When you buy OEM Motorcycle Parts you are buying the exact same original part the manufacturer used to build your motorcycle, that means:

>> Same performance as the part installed in your motorcycle right now. The part won't be better nor worse than the original part you want to replace.

>> Normally OEM parts a more (in some cases MUCH more) expensive than aftermarket parts.

>> Motorcycle and car agencies clerks will normally tell you OEM Parts are higher quality and the best option for replacements. Is this true? Well sometimes it is, sometimes it's not.

>> Normally after a certain period of time, the manufacturer will allow the company that originally designed/produced the part to sell it in their own box at a considerably lower cost, making it: an Aftermarket OEM part! :-)

>> BE CAREFUL if your bike is still in its guarantee period make sure you use only OEM parts and have them installed by authorized mechanics. If you don't do so, you will probably void the guarantee.

What about Aftermarket parts??

Aftermarket parts should perform as well as OEM parts but are produced by companies other than the original manufacturer(s).

Things to know when buying Aftermarket Motorcycle Parts:

>> MAKE SURE YOUR GUARANTEE PERIOD IS OVER. In many cases, you can VOID your guarantee if you have an aftermarket part installed by an unauthorized mechanic in your machine. I know I said it before, but it's worth repeating; I happened to me! :-(

>> Equivalent aftermarket Suzuki motorcycle parts are normally cheaper than OEM parts. Sometimes up to 70% cheaper!

>> Aftermarket parts can have lower,the same or higher quality than the original.

>> When buying aftermarket parts make sure you are getting AT LEAST the same quality as the OEM part. If possible try to get some reviews about brands and performance. You can do it in the Internet, with your favorite mechanic or with fellow riders.

>> If you are looking for high performance parts and devices, you know the kind: carbon fiber, titanium, aerospace aluminum parts and gizmos, well you will probably find them as aftermarket motorcycle parts.

OEM or aftermarket motorcycle parts, sooner or later you will be shopping for them...

Enjoy the ride!

Daniel Levy

Daniel Levy is the owner and contributing writer of http://www.Japanese-Motorcycles-Only.com . He loves motorcycles and Web development. For more great info visit http://www.japanese-motorcycles-only.com/

If you need motorcycle parts, check out BikeBandit: my favorite online store for motorcycle parts. You will find a full review of their business in this page:http://www.japanese-motorcycles-only.com/bike-bandit.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Motorcycles booming, but rider error takes deadly toll
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 7 hours ago
By HECTOR CASTRO Motorcycle riding has never been more popular, and climbing gas prices have only prompted more new riders to join the ranks. ...
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Raid on Arlington house finds motorcycle chop shop
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 4 hours ago
Shelves and hanging racks in two of the three bedrooms were stocked with motorcycle fairings, they said. Motorcycle batteries, tires, mufflers and gas tanks ...
Authorities bust motorcycle chop shop in Arlington 11:37 AM CT Dallas Morning News
Police: Motorcycle Chop Shop Found In Arlington House NBC5i.com
Dallas-Fort Worth News Briefs Dallas Morning News
Fort Worth Star Telegram
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WESTWOOD, Mass., Aug 27, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- A LoJack For Motorcycles signal led the Columbus Police Auto Theft Unit and Ohio State ...


Two dead after motorcycles crash
BBC News, UK - Aug 27, 2008
Appealing for witnesses, a spokeswoman said the crash involving an Aprilla motorcycle and a Honda motorbike happened at 2005 BST. ...


Motion Pro Recalls 10000 Aftermarket Brake Levers For Suzuki ...
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14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999-2008 SUZUKI MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP ...


Gas prices put more motorcycles on the road
Paradise Post, CA - 7 hours ago
Though the department doesn't have any officers patrolling on bikes, Hegenbart, being a former rider, said the average motorcycle gets between 40 and 50 ...


Council considers parking for motorcycles and scooters
590 KLBJ News Radio, TX - 10 hours ago
Scooters and motorcycles will have their own parking spaces in downtown Austin if two City Council members get their way. On Thursday, the Austin City ...


Four-Tee-Five not a typical motorcycle
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI - 3 hours ago
The lanky vehicle isn't a run-of-the-mill motorcycle: Five seats and bars atop a quartet of vintage 1950s Harley-Davidson 45-cubic-inch motorcycle engines. ...


YAMAHA TO OFFER MORE LUXURY MOTORCYCLES IN INDIA
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 13 hours ago
(TSE:7272) plans to introduce more high-end motorcycles in India to capitalize on the country's rapidly growing market. Before the end of the year, ...


Springs residents ride motorcycles cross country
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 9 hours ago
"That was in 1960, on a motorcycle with a side car," Goodhue said. "We covered 3500 miles in eight days. It is one of the best memories of my life. ...

Motorcycles - Google News

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