Need a Harley Davidson part for your ride?
Where do you get a good quality Harley Davidson part? Can I use an aftermarket part?
These questions are not easy to answer. It depends a lot on your situation, the part you are looking for and the money you want to spend.
The end result………. you have to decide.
I have a bit of information here that may be helpful to you, so read on!
An OEM part vs. an aftermarket part.
Year OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are, of course, the genuine Harley Davidson parts that you would find at an authorized Harley dealer.
These parts are genuine because they have the exact same specs that came with the original part.
However, many of these parts have not been manufactured by Harley Davidson (at your physical location). Harley can get another company to make these parts to Harley’s specifications, and then sell them on the Harley box as an OEM.
OEM parts are generally more expensive and are almost always recommended by the dealer. (They make their money selling parts, not bikes)
The dealer will most likely tell you that the OEM parts are of higher quality. This may or may not be true.
Year aftermarket part it should work just as well as an OEM, but take note. These parts were manufactured by a company other than the original manufacturer.
Sometimes, after a certain period of time, the original manufacturer of a part will allow the company that physically manufactured the part to sell it at a reduced price and in its own packaging. The part now becomes an OEM aftermarket part.
Typically, after a certain period of time, the manufacturer will allow the company that originally designed/produced the part to sell it in its own box at a considerably lower cost, making it: an aftermarket OEM part
So what does this tell you about that Harley Davidson part you need?
If you can’t find quality in an aftermarket part, look to the OEM as long as it’s within your price range.
There is a lot of competition between providers who want your dollar. A part of the Harley aftermarket, for your Harley Davidson they are generally of good to excellent quality.
If you have a Harley, sooner or later you will have to buy parts for it. Shopping online has its conveniences and you don’t have to go downtown and fight traffic.