You be the Judge: OEM Vs Aftermarket Dirt Bike Parts

Off-roading or dirt-biking is driving bikes on roads that are not conventionally paved. The surfaces used for off-roading are often created naturally, such as sand, gravel, mud, river or snow. There is special kind of motorcycles known as dirt bikes designed for such surfaces.

The intense competition in dirt biking led to many technical improvements in the motorcycles. Thereafter, different kind of bike accessories also came into existence.

Dirt biking often causes damage to various parts of the bike and when it comes to replacing these parts a tough question arises whether to go for OEM or aftermarket parts.

With markets flooded with so many motorcycle adventure products, it sure is a tough decision to make.

First, let’s understand what is the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts.

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. The OEM parts are the original parts that come directly from the company that built your bike. In other words, the parts that are assembled and installed during the manufacture of your vehicle are the OEMs. However, not all the parts of the vehicles are made under one roof. There may be parts that the bike manufacturing factories procure from other manufacturers while building a bike. These parts are also considered as OEMs as they come assembled on the bike straight from the company.

On the contrary, Aftermarket parts are the parts made by the companies other than the OEM. These parts do not come installed on your bike from the factory but are instead installed as replacements after the vehicle comes out of the factory.

This isn’t the only difference between the two. The OEM parts are usually flawless in fit and finish, and they are reliable too but they tend to be expansive that the aftermarket parts.

On the other hand, Aftermarket parts are usually cheaper than the OEM parts, they come in different styles and are high in performance, but at the same time, they tend to be inconsistent and need some fitting and finishing before being installed on your vehicle.

Here is a handy guide to some commonly replaced parts that can help you decide whether to go for OEM or aftermarket parts

Exhaust:

An aftermarket exhaust is better than OEM as it offers more horsepower and is much lighter in weight. Various heat shields are available as aftermarket parts at reasonable prices.

So in this segment aftermarket is a clear winner.

Engine components:

 When it comes to engine components OEM part is an absolute winner. Your dirt bike manufacturer knows the best, they built your motorbike in the first place so it’s best to opt for OEM when it comes to replacing individual engine components.

Protection covers:

Protection covers such as bash plates, radiator guards, chain guards, frame guards etc do get worn out after regular dirt biking. Once these parts get damaged it becomes critical to change them before you head out again.

Aftermarket parts are hands-down better than OEM. The prices of these products are comparatively low than the OEMs and there’s no compromise in quality if bought from a good company. B&B bash plates and B&B radiator guards are amongst some good quality products available on the market.

Furthermore, Aftermarket parts are preferred when parts such as oil cooler guards, master cylinder guards and pipe guards need a replacement.

Overall aftermarket parts seem to be the clear winner.

Hence, summarizing it, when you want a replacement part that you want to fit flawlessly and work reliably -opt for OEM parts. Whereas, when an upgrade in performance or style is required on a lower budget and you don’t mind some little adjustments here and there- go for aftermarket parts.

Author Bio

Jessica is a traveler by heart. She loves to pen down her thoughts related to her travel experiences and her knowledge about the recent technologies. She loves to meet new people during her trips and is a regular contributor to https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com