Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

Choosing the right motorcycle parts and accessories for your motorcycle, whether it's a Harley Davidson, Kawasaki or a Gold Wing.  There are a few things to consider.

1. Is this a piece for beauty or function?    If this is for beauty, make sure that the piece is going to go with the bike.  There is nothing worse than adding a piece of chrome on a bike where it doesn't fit.  Some may say that chrome goes everywhere.  But if you put a single piece of chrome on a blacked out bike with red trim, that one piece of chrome might as well be a custom sissy bar and kind and queen seat on a bagger.. Just doesn't look right. Also, when deciding to buy a piece for your motorcycle to make it look better, plan out your design.  Make certain you know what you want the bike to look like in the end. Nothing worse than buying something on impulse and getting it only to realize that it won't look good with the rest of the theme you are heading for.
2. Functionality, These parts are pretty easy to purchase, however, take a look at fitment on the website before purchasing.  Many bikes in the same 3 year separation will have totally different models of parts to fit the bike.  When I say that, I mean that when selecting new tires, spark plugs etc. Be sure you are getting the right part.  Motorcycle manufacturers change things up sometimes year to year, either because they found a better way of something to work, or the supplier changed for that part and they cannot get the exact same thing anymore.
3. Take care to check out the source in which you are purchasing also, does the company have a good return policy?  Can it be returned if opened? Do they offer any tech support and if so, does that support cost anything?  Every retailer will have different or special offerings.  Another thing to keep an eye or for is a savings program.  Retailers offer ways for you to save money over time and keep you as a customer, these can be used to your benefit.  If you are planning on doing a lot of work to the motorcycle over the next year, see if they have a preferred customers program.  This might cost you $50 up front, but sometimes you can get a cool item in return, but then you get 10% off most of your purchase, an extra discount on sale days or even a bonus savings on your birthday.  If you just need that one part, check the manufacturers sight for any rebate offers or coupons also.  Get on the mailing list for several online retailers, they sometimes send out emails with specials, discounts or others based on the type of bike that you have registered with too, this can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in the long run.

I have worked in the retail end of the motorcycle parts and accessories world and have discovered many of these things to ring very true.  I have even experienced the pain of puchasing the wrong part because I didn't check my manual or the fitment properly, waiting a week for the part, only to find it not the right one, sending it back, hassling with the company and end up ordering it from another place that saved me $2.00 and not getting the part until 3 weeks after the initial purchase.

Your motorcycle is an extension of your personality, take the time to really research what you are buying before you are buying and it will make the privilege of owning a motorcycle and putting parts and accessories on it much more fun and enjoyable.  

Until next time, this is Shannon Appleby saying, We'll see you on the road.