Bikerswin.com

This is for members of Bikerswin.com you can join for free click here

 


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:

Joan Jett, A Motorcycle Sissy?
Wizbang Pop! (blog)
Tough girl rock pioneer, Joan Jett, revealed an interesting tidbit on Jay Leno's TONIGHT SHOW last night. She's actually "scared" of motorcycles. ...

and more »


Central Florida News 13

2010 Daytona Bike Week Day 4 Report
MotorcycleUSA.com
Begrudgingly I drug myself out of bed and made haste to the Daytona Beach Hilton for the annual breakfast held by the AMA and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame ...
Daytona Bike Week 2010 in pictures--The Custom BikesExaminer.com
2010 Daytona Bike Week Day 3 ReportMotorcycleUSA.com
Daytona Bike Week 2010 in picturesExaminer.com

all 32 news articles »


Wired News

MotoCzysz Puts the Sizzle in Electric Motorcycles
Wired News
We are in the midst of an electric motorcycle revolution, and nowhere is that more obvious than on the racetrack. ...



Tom Cruise Limps Away From Motorcycle Crash
ChicagoNow (blog)
The motorcycle spun out, throwing Cruise off. Witnesses said once he was back on his feet, he appeared to be limping. Witnesses also said that he waited for ...

and more »


WBZ News Radio 1030

State orders handrail review
Boston Globe
Four of the victims were on motorcycles, and three were passengers in cars, who were not wearing seat belts and became entangled in the railings during ...
Safety of Big Dig tunnels under reviewNECN

all 19 news articles »


BMW motorcycle sales increase 14.4%
Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews
Following a good performance in January, deliveries in the Motorcycle Segment again rose substantially in February by 24.6% to reach a total of 5485 ...

and more »


CMG Online News

Honda to Build Second Motorcycle Production Plant in India
MarketWatch (press release)
India represents the world's second largest motorcycle market behind only China, and industry-wide motorcycle sales in India for 2009 reached 8.78 million ...
Honda India bike unit plans $103 mil second plantReuters
Honda plans new plantCMG Online News
Honda to build second motorcycle plant in IndiaAFP

all 46 news articles »


Treble returns to DSR; will ride Valvoline Motorcycle Oils Suzuki in Gainesville
NHRA.com
Craig Treble returns to Don Schumacher Racing to ride the Valvoline Motorcycle Oils Suzuki in this weekend's NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series' Pro ...



Boys & Girls Club Motorcycle Fun Run Saturday
TriValley Central
The idea for the Fun Run is not intended only for the customary motorcycles and motorcycle enthusiasts, but for all people who want to participate. ...



Treble to ride Valvoline Motorcycle Oil Suzuki
Radioactive Drag Racing News
Craig Treble returns to Don Schumacher Racing to ride the Valvoline Motorcycle Oils Suzuki in this weekend's NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series' Pro ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006