What Does It Mean to Buy Something Aftermarket?

You’re on Partzilla.com shopping for parts, and you notice a significant difference in cost between an aftermarket part vs an OEM part you need for your motorcycle. 

Specifically, you notice the aftermarket version is cheaper than the OEM version. So what does it really mean to buy aftermarket motorcycle parts? Here’s a quick overview on buying non-original equipment manufacturer parts for your powersports vehicle.

What are Aftermarket Parts?

Simple: aftermarket parts are manufactured and sold for a motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side by a company other than the OEM manufacturer of the vehicle. 

There’s a bit of a misconception that aftermarket parts are knockoffs or counterfeit. And while that is an existing problem in the parts industry, generally it’s not the case. Aftermarket parts are often made differently than genuine parts, sometimes to reduce cost or improve performance. They also carry their own label, and don’t claim to be manufactured by the same company that built your powersports vehicle.

How to Avoid Buying Fake Motorcycle Parts

If you’re buying aftermarket parts, you should know it. The same goes for OEM parts. That’s why it’s important to be able to spot fake or counterfeit parts.

If you’re not buying from us, make sure whomever you’re buying parts from is a reputable and reliable seller. Do your research and check out online reviews, especially if you’re buying parts from eBay or other non-parts specialty retailers.

Here are some tips for shopping for motorcycle, ATV or UTV parts:

• Check the price. If you’re looking at an OEM part and the price is astronomically cheaper than what you’ve seen everywhere else, that’s a red flag. Too often people get lured into buying a fake part because it looks like a bargain.
• Inspect the packaging. Fake parts often come in boxes that look questionable. Does the manufacturer logo look off? Did you spot a misspelling on the box? Is it missing hologram stickers you’ve seen on other OEM parts you’ve bought? It might be a fake.
• Check the hardware. Is all the hardware included? Aftermarket and OEM parts usually include screws, bolts and any other little bits you need for the installation. If something (or everything) from the hardware is missing, it could be a fake.
• Inspect the overall quality. Flimsy materials, shoddy paint, and other signs of a less-than-stellar part are a good indication that you’re dealing with a fake.

We did an entire 2018 Honda Grom 125 aftermarket parts upgrade. Watch the video above to see how the packaging of some brand new aftermarket (and OEM) parts are supposed to look like when they arrive.