Motor Sport

Thursday, 8 October 2009

Aftermarket Motorcycle Parts

Whenever a motorcycle part needs to be replaced, there are two options the bike owner has. He can avail himself of original equipment manufacturers (OEM), or of aftermarket parts.

OEM

OEM parts are the components of the motorcycle that come with the vehicle when purchased directly from the vendor; they are brand new and unchanged. This means that replacing a component of your motorcycle with an OEM part is like replacing it with an original part used to setup your motorcycle. OEM parts are outsourced to a third party company that supplies the component needed for the motorcycle. These parts are workable, but tend to be more expensive, since they are considered to be original parts.

Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket parts are basically non-OEM parts that are manufactured to work in place of original parts. They could be lower, equal, or higher in terms of performance and the same in terms of pricing, although generally if they are meant to match the original part, they are cheaper.

Aside from pricing, an aftermarket motorcycle part may have a substantial advantage over an OEM part because of the high demand for customization of parts. It could simply be a change in the colors of the chassis and the appearance of the rims of the tires or the cables and sheaves inside the motors. The use of aftermarket parts can be for aesthetic values, performance reasons, and safety enhancements.

Warning

A word of warning when it comes to acquiring aftermarket parts: not all the manufacturers of aftermarket parts are accredited by the manufacturer of the motorcycle, which could mean that although the components may seem to fit the vehicle visually, there may be incompatibilities that are not evident and detectable at first. When using aftermarket parts, it is advisable to check these components before and after every ride.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Aftermarket-Motorcycle-Parts&id=278680

Used Motorcycle Parts

Whether it is an engine, transmission, carburetor, gas tank, tire, fender, windshield, crankshaft, cylinder, seat, chassis, bearing, battery, battery charger, or any other motorcycle part, you can purchase used parts and enjoy up to 50 percent off of the regular price of any brand or model.

The part may have originated from a defective motorcycle, but particular components of the vehicle that were not damaged can be salvaged in good condition and sold at a price lower than the market price. It is imperative that, before selecting a part, you determine the specific component you need. Motorcycle parts vary in brands and models. Two models even coming from the same manufacturers may use different parts.

Even custom motorcycle parts can be acquired at lower rates just because they are used. It does not necessarily mean that these used parts are defective or that they will underperform. It could mean that the previous owner has acquired a new custom component and replaced the part and that this used part is still fully functional.

Some used items may even have warranties if you acquired them from a used motorcycle parts vendor.

Alternatives

If you are looking to save by purchasing motorcycle parts but do not want to get used items, you may opt to purchase OEM parts instead. OEM means original equipment manufacturers; these parts were not actually made by the manufacturer of the motorcycle but are manufactured by another independent company. They are only packaged and labeled by the manufacturers as their own. These can be cheaper compared to proprietary parts manufactured by the motorcycle makers.

Auctions can also be a source of cheap parts. Whether brand new or used, these parts can be significantly lower as compared to purchasing directly from a dealer. A word of warning though, there have been several occasions where auctions were used to hoax bidders to acquire items at price higher than its actual value.