As a motorcycle owner, chances are good that you have already purchased parts for your motorcycle at some point or another. If you haven't, then you might want to learn a little more about the process of buying motorcycle parts so that you will know what to do when you do inevitably need to purchase parts. For example, it is important to know about the difference between aftermarket and OEM parts and about the pros and cons of each type.
OEM Parts
OEM parts, which are original equipment manufacturer parts, are the same parts that were used when your motorcycle was made. Basically, you will be swapping out your faulty parts with parts that are exactly the same.
Typically, you can only purchase OEM parts from specific suppliers. For example, you might have to head to your motorcycle dealership to purchase OEM parts. In many cases, OEM parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts, although the difference isn't always very significant.
If you have a newer motorcycle, you may want to stick with OEM parts, since they can sometimes help you maintain your motorcycle's value better. If you take your motorcycle to the dealership or to a certified repair shop to have repairs done, then they might only be willing to work with OEM parts. If your motorcycle is still under warranty, you might also be required to use OEM parts in order to maintain that warranty.
Aftermarket Parts
You can purchase OEM parts for your motorcycle, but you do have the option to purchase aftermarket parts as well. The main reason why many people choose to do this is because it's often significantly cheaper. Since owning a motorcycle can be costly and since some parts and repairs can be quite expensive, it's understandable that you might want to look for ways to save money on parts when you can. Additionally, in some cases, it can be easier to find aftermarket parts for your motorcycle than to find OEM parts, especially if you have an older or not-so-common motorcycle.
In many cases, aftermarket parts work just as well as OEM parts, so you don't necessarily have to worry about quality issues, especially if you buy from a reputable supplier. Some aftermarket parts do have warranties or guarantees, too, just as many OEM parts do. Your motorcycle's value could be slightly impacted by buying aftermarket parts instead, though, so you should think about this if you have a valuable motorcycle.
Contact a company that sells products like Harley Davidson parts to learn more.
