The 5 Motorcycle Parts We Can All Do Without!

Motorcycles are my thing. I love just about everything to do with motorcycles, the look, the sound, the smell…

But…

There are some Philistines out there who will insist on bolting grotesque monstrosities onto their trusty steed. The end result? Quite often, a motorcycle that looks like some alien half breed! I have got some pet hates when it comes to motorcycle parts and accessories, and the time has come to get it off my chest. Here is the list of my top five worst motorcycle parts add ons.

  • In at number five, its the motorcycle top box bolted onto a sport bike. This is one motorcycle part (is it a part or is it an accessory? I don’t care I still hate it!) that just does not belong on a GXR, or a Hayabusa or a Blackbird, or an F1. What are you thinking? Leaving aside the fact that it totally destroys the beautiful lines of these pedigree machines, what do you think YOU look like, riding your superbike with a top box on? Lose it mate before the motorcycle style police come calling…
  • At number four, its got to be the disco lights on any bike. You know what I mean, the blue ( why are they always blue) led lights that some misguided souls fix along the motorcycle to make them light up like a Christmas tree! Listen, Chrtistmas comes once a year, and the only thing I wanna see lights on like that is the tree in the corner of the room. Now the LED brake lights, I can live with, but the disco lights? Forget it!
  • A new entry at number three, is the motorcycle trailer that has been hooked up to anything but a Honda Goldwing. Now, I am not the worlds biggest fan of Goldwings but this is the only bike that should be seen with a trailer hitched to it. If you are riding a motorcycle right now, and it has a trailer hitched to it, turn round, go home, get your car out and hitch the trailer to that. Riding a motorcycle is about freedom, the open road, not carrying around as much crap as you can.
  • A non mover at number two is the ear splitting super loud motorcycle exhaust. Now I know what you are going to say. Loud pipes save lives, right? well heres a new concept for you: CAREFUL RIDING SAVES LIVES. Now get rid of those lousy pipes and give the neighbourhood some peace and quiet…
  • And finally, at number one for as long as I can remember, in 1999, I actually saw a bike with a small TV fitted in the instrument console. I know t was a TV, because I asked the guy what this new motorcycle part was, thinking it was some kind of onboard computer, and he switched it on and showed me. I stood there with my mouth open as he rode away. I’m not sure if he switched it off before he rode off or not…

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Motorcycle Parts Touch Time

TOUCH TIME! Yeah! Its touch time once again. It’s the time to polish maintain and accessorize our bikes. This is the moment when we can have quality maintenance and repair time with our bikes. We’ve got to feel the mean and affable machine up close..

To lay our very hands to our loyal companion make us certain that the motorcycle parts are great and in good shape. It makes us secure and confident of our every ride.

Motorcycle parts play a critical role in the motorcycle’s performance and safety. It does not make sense if you try to save a few bucks on cheap motorcycle parts in lieu of an accident. The savings is not that valuable compared to your life. Thus, you must purchase the best quality motorcycle parts at your most trusted motorcycle parts store.

There are several reasons why you have to select the best quality motorcycle parts. So do not be tightfisted in buying motorcycle parts. They can save you from an otherwise complicated and terrible ride.

The best choice of motorcycle parts are those of OEM parts. They are same as those originally attached to your bike. However, if you want to deviate from the ordinary, aftermarket motorcycle parts can be resorted to. Aftermarket parts are those that you can utilize when you customize your bike to achieve a more stylish and unique look. Some of these parts have same quality as OEM parts. However, there are also some that are of lesser quality. Be careful with your choices. They can harm you and your bike if you mishandled them.

OEM motorcycle parts feel and look different than aftermarket parts. Taken in that perspective we can form query like – do they perform differently? Well, the answer goes back to their level of quality. Quality motorcycle parts perform excellently. On the other hand, in so-so parts expect a lesser quality performance. Thus, if you want to have a unique and stylish motorcycle look, be meticulous about the quality. Next to quality, you can now consider the price.

In ordering motorcycle parts and accessories, make sure that you order the right ones. Better yet, just visit your motorcycle parts store to personally throw queries and examine the parts. That way you can be sure of its quality plus the chance of being enlightened.

As a passionate rider, you must spend necessary touch time to make sure everything is exactly what it is expected to be! Then you can expect a fine performance.

Get your hands to work…

Clothing and Accessories for Bike and Motorcycle

While Robert Pirsig’s widely popular philosophical tome, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”, was more about discovering the quality of life while taking a road trip on a motorcycle, Pirsig failed to note that there was zen in the actual building of the motorcycle itself. Whether you create a full chopper from the ground up with a custom kit, or simply add and replace parts on a stock bike, the satisfaction derived from the process of completing your road raring beauty may just reestablish what the quality of life is all about.

Custom bike kits offer full design personalization, even if all its parts come included in the kit. You can also use other parts and accessories acquired through other means; it’s pretty much anything goes when building a custom bike from scratch. It’s not as easy as the bike kit company will assure you, though; it’s not a tub of Lego, after all.

Adding or replacing custom parts to a stock bike will be much easier than building one from scratch, although not as impressive to other bikers, and the resale value will obviously be much less. Still, either way, putting your own bike together is bound to be both pleasurable and challenging, and ultimately, zen.

You can’t change the frame of your bike, which is why it is important to choose the best frame for you when buying your custom kit. What you can personalize instead is the appearance of your street fenders, gas tank, undertails and tire huggers. Some frames will only allow compatible street fenders and bodywork sets, but within each brand, different models are being developed and you can switch them around at will.

Another way to customize these basic parts is to have them painted in a design that fits your personality, and let the rest of your motorcycle accessories follow this style guide. There is also a wide range of decals and stickers to decorate your bike, with more innovative designs to choose from. While choosing, you should also look into protective stickers, such as tank and gas cap protectors, and traction pads which will not only enhance the look of your bike but keep its parts pretty.

Change the look of your bike by simpling replacing your handlebars or handlebar grips, mirrors, tires, wheels, exhaust, pedals, seats and luggage storage space. There are additional accessories for some of these parts; for instance, you can get caps for your mirrors or hard seat covers, to protect them while parking. Also choose a durable all-weather motorcycle cover to use to keep the elements at bay, even before you finish putting your bike together.

Once you complete your motorcycle, taking it out on the road is the next level of zen that you will experience. And then, perhaps a year or a few months later, you can start re-customizing your motorcycle all over again. You may find that working on your bike in the garage heightens the quality of life just as much as racing it on the highway.