Motorcycle Spares Buying Guide
Deciding on buying that bike that you have been coveting for so long tends to be, perhaps not surprisingly, a major decision. I remember when I set out to buy my first motorcycle. I could write a lot about the wars that I had to fight with the multitudes who were rightly concerned about my safety. Anyway, that is a story for another day. So, what tips do I have for those who wish to buy motorcycle parts online? First, a brief note about motorcycle safety;
A checkered Safety Record
The truth is that motorcycles have a bad rap, and that is understandable. On average, motorcycle fatalities occur 27 times more than is the case with other forms of transportation. There is a lot, of course, that you can do to avoid becoming part of this statistic.
We have previously provided you with tips on night riding, along with many other motorcycle safety tips. In any case, that is a story for another day. So, where exactly can you buy spare parts for your motorcycle? Here is a comprehensive motorcycle parts buying guide;
Types of Motorcycle Spare Parts
When buying spares for your motorcycle, one of the things that confront you pertains to whether or not you are going to go for original, aftermarket or used spares. The decisions that you make in this regard tend to be important. The three types of spares vary, not only in terms of price but also in terms of durability and reliability.
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Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts
OEM parts are the best type of spare parts that you can source for your motorcycle. The good thing about them is that they are made by the motorcycle’s manufacturer and are actually the same as the parts that came with the motorcycle.
Although OEM parts, under most circumstances, are your best option, this is not always the case. If an original motorcycle part has been giving you problems, there is a good chance that the same issue will arise should you acquire an OEM replacement. This would mean that you will be setting yourself for another failure in the not so distant future.
Another major disadvantage, with regards to OEM parts, is the fact that they tend to be much more expensive than all the other parts that you can source out there. This is one of the things that you need to take cognizant of when hunting around online for spares for your motorcycle.
OEM parts can also be difficult to find and can be doubly so if you own a vintage ride. Most of the iconic motorcycle manufacturers of yesteryear have since gone out of business and the only parts that are available to you are aftermarket replacements.
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Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are another popular option when it comes to motorcycle spares. Unlike OEM parts, aftermarket spares are not made by your original motorcycle’s manufacturer. Instead, they are produced by third parties using the specifications that are set out by the original equipment manufacturer.
Advantages of Aftermarket Parts
One of the major advantages of acquiring aftermarket parts is the fact that they tend to be cheaper than OEM parts. If you are looking for spare parts for your beloved motorcycle that do not leave you reeling financially, then aftermarket parts are what you should go for.
Another major advantage of looking for aftermarket spares for your motorcycle is the fact that they tend to be easier to find that OEM parts. That is because there are plenty of companies out there that continue to produce parts for motorcycles. This applies even for vintage rides.
Aftermarket spares can also be better than the OEM parts that they are replacing. If a flaw has been identified in the original part, it is likely that it will have been resolved in the replacements. Aftermarkets are a favorite for mods enthusiasts, who are looking to give their rides a major boost.
Disadvantages of Aftermarket Parts
The one major disadvantage of using aftermarket parts on your motorcycle is that you have to carry out much more research online before sourcing them. Extra care is needed to avoid buying parts that are either not up to standard, or ones that do not even fit into your ride. Remember that we have already noted that aftermarket spares tend to be cheaper that OEM replacements? Well, you can actually end up paying much more due to the issue that we have just raised above.
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Used Parts
Used parts are a third category of motorcycle spares that can be found out there. They can be either OEM or aftermarket parts that have been stripped from another vehicle. Of all the options that we have given here, used parts tend to be the cheapest.
The one major disadvantage of getting these parts for your cycle is that they can be less reliable. Remember, these parts have already been used on another cycle, which means that they may already been well into their life spans.
Where can you buy Motorcycle parts online?
Now that we have laid out the three options that exist to those who are looking to buy spares for their motorcycles, you should be able to make informed choices in this regard. So, where can you buy spares for your motorcycle online?
Let Google Guide You
Buying motorcycle parts online is, as it turns out, surprisingly simple. Your first port of call in this regard is Google. You only have to carry out a search for the term “motorcycle spares,” to get millions of results. Of course, you probably won’t need all of these sites, but you get the idea. In any case, our advice to you is that you should find one or two reliable sources for the parts that you are looking for, and you can use these suppliers for future purchases.
eBay Motors
eBay Motors is one of the most popular ports of call for motorcycle enthusiasts when it comes to the online purchase of motorcycle spares. The great thing about eBay Motors is that there are so many sellers that you will likely be able to find all the three categories of parts that we have just explained above. Prices tend to vary depending on whether or not you are going to get OEM, Aftermarket or Used Parts for your motorcycle. The site allows you to filter results according to brand, price and many other parameters.
Amazon
Online retail giant, Amazon is another place from where you can buy motorcycle parts online. The site works in much the same way as eBay motors. Amazon’s Motorcycle & Powersports section allows you to browse through various parts, including body and frame, braking, drive train, exhaust and other parts.
How long does it take for Motorcycle Parts to be shipped?
Shipping of motorcycle parts, as is the case with everything else that is purchased online, is largely dependent on the seller from whom you have made the purchase. In any case, an estimate shipping date will be provided. The good thing about buying motorcycle parts from these sites is that you can easily negotiate the shipping and other terms with the sellers.
A word of caution
There are, as we have already mentioned, thousands of other sites from which you can buy motorcycle parts over the internet. The thing that you need to remember is that you should be careful, particularly when buying used and aftermarket parts. Although you can always return any purchase that you are not satisfied with, this tends to consume unnecessary time. What this means is that you need to thoroughly discuss with the seller before making your purchase, in order to make sure that what you buy is exactly what you are looking for.
