Why Use Original Parts on a Motorcycle?

This article’s topic will be the importance of using original parts on a motorcycle. Why should we prefer original parts for maintenance, repairs, and part replacements? We’ll give examples of what not using original parts can lead to in some cases.

A motorcycle is a vehicle that balances on two wheels. Using original parts in its maintenance and repairs is vital. A tiny bolt you don’t take seriously could leave you stranded in the middle of the road, or worse, cause you to lose control and get into an accident. It’s always worth being cautious to avoid this kind of situation.

Sometimes, because we don’t have time, or don’t have the right part on hand, we resort to temporary fixes. Temporary fixes, like wire wrapped around in place of a small bolt, can only get you so far, but it should be remembered that this is a temporary solution. It should be replaced with the original at the first opportunity. In these kinds of improper uses, non-original parts can also damage other components.

For example, it’s a mistake to rivet on a car brake pad instead of the original. The original brake pad uses a special friction compound. For this reason, a car brake pad won’t give you the performance you want on a motorcycle, resulting in weakened braking.

The importance of using original parts on a motorcycle also applies to piston rings. Using an improvised piston ring isn’t correct. The piston ring material needs to match the cylinder material. Otherwise, one can wear down the other.

Spark plugs, meanwhile, are specifically calibrated for heat range, the engine’s compression chamber, and gap distance. For this reason, it’s best to use the spark plugs specified in the catalog as appropriate for your motorcycle.

One of the mistakes regarding original part usage is related to tires. Some people, thinking it looks better, oversize the motorcycle’s rear tire. You may not immediately notice the problem this can cause. However, when the rim is narrow and the tire is oversized, it bulges, reducing the contact surface with the ground.

If original fluid isn’t used in the brake hydraulics, it can cause the master cylinder seals to swell, and they can burst under pressure. It’s also worthwhile to use original gaskets when replacing gaskets, because gasket thickness matters.

When it comes to fuses, a blown fuse should be replaced with the same rating, not a close one. For example, don’t install a 15-amp fuse in place of a 10-amp one.

In this article, we discussed the importance of using original parts on a motorcycle. Hope to see you in new articles. Stay healthy, and enjoy your rides.

Compatibility Risk

Non-original replacement parts may not fully match the motorcycle’s design tolerances, leading to premature wear.

Loss of Warranty

Using non-original parts can void the motorcycle’s remaining warranty coverage with many manufacturers.

Safety Certification

Original parts are certified after passing the safety and performance tests specified by the manufacturer.

Related Questions

Original brake pads are made with a special friction material designed to work with that motorcycle’s brake disc. A pad designed for a different vehicle, like a car, can’t achieve this match, so it can’t deliver the expected braking power.

Since a motorcycle balances on two wheels, even a single small part (like a bolt) failing can throw off the vehicle’s balance or control. This means even a much smaller failure than on a four-wheeled vehicle can have serious consequences.