Poll: Who Do You Like For Parts?

[GregM.]

Who Do You Like For Parts?

I imagine this changes every couple years, as some go out of business and new ones open up.
Other times you hear stories about the same old company... but a change of management can mess up a good supplier... or improve one that used to be lousy. Is there one that you like for OEM items, and another for after-market stuff.

Judge things like: delivery accuracy, ease of ordering, timely shipping, selection, and oh yeah, PRICE

Any stories of some outfit that really surprised you with service above and beyond... or someplace that left you high and dry... or just a good value company that you'll go back to every time.

Include web address if you know it --- This should be interesting

[renobruce]

For OEM parts, I like my local Suzuki dealership in Carson City. The one in Reno is way high. Best prices I've found anywhere. For aftermarket, I have had excellent luck with www.denniskirk.com Fast delivery, great on returns, and great prices.

[WB550]

www.z1enterprises.com has both the best service and price for most typical maint type stuff.

www.mikesxs.com for generic accessories (Check out their prices on things like clipons)

From there, it's eBay, bikebandit, and oldbikebarn in that order.

[bwringer]

Many here have had good experiences with ordering OEM parts here, and the prices are fantastic.

http://flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_select.asp

Flat Out is a good size Suzuki dealer about 20 minutes from my office in Indy, so I can go yell at them for you if they screw up. So far, I think everyone's been pretty happy.

Z1 Enterprises has great prices on aftermarket bits and pieces like gasket sets, Dyna ignitions, etc. along with outstanding service.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/

My favorite of all time has to be Cycle Recycle II, located right here in Indianapolis. Lots of hard to find stuff on their web site, and lots of used/salvage stuff if you call. If you can't find something or need a bit of tech support, they are the folks to call.

http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/

They don't tend to keep up with their email, so you'll need to call if you can't find what you need on their web site. The web site is just a small fraction of the new aftermarket parts they have.

[Keithuk]

So where's the Poll?

[mixongw]

Of course, it depends on what you're ordering but, I placed an order to Bike Bandit and JP Cycles the same day. The JP Cycles arrived the next day. The Bike Bandit order took two weeks.

[Hap Call]

Ron Ayers www.ronayers.com

[chiphead]

I've had good luck with flatout. Don't use them to order a gasket or small parts. Shipping will kill ya! Better to order many small parts all at once.

[max]

If you're anywhere in the DelMarVa region, Baltimore Cycle Salvage is definately the best place to go. They're in Baltimore but guys come from hundred of miles every day to take advantage of the superior service (owner Dean is a real champ), the great staff and the gigantic warehouse of 70s-new Japanese bike parts. Dean knows everything and anything about bikes and is more than happy to help you install the new part if he has time.

Just don't ask him for dirtbike parts or you might get thrown out of the shop.

[bwringer]

In addition to the above, I often use http://BikeBandit.com when I need a few small items, or I need some grips or other accessories along with my Suzuki parts. They're also very handy when you need to mix in a few Kawasaki and Honda parts for a friend.

BB is a bit more expensive than others as far as parts prices, but shipping is a reasonable $4 to $6 for most smallish boxes and they consistently ship the fastest of anyone.

From what I can tell, Flat Out's shipping charges are within reason, but they don't tell you what the charges are until after you order. And if you're just ordering some tiny little carb parts and a few bolts, you'll understandably feel a bit violated by an $8 or $10 shipping charge on a $40 order that could fit in an envelope. I'd use them only for large orders of $100 or more, and/or larger parts.

[GregM.]

Some good voting here...just an informal poll. It had been quite a while since I ordered many parts, but it looks like I'll be spending some $ soon I searched around for info, but didn't find much... that's why I started the thread.

I remember reading some real horror (Happy Halloween) stories here a couple years ago - and wanted to avoid sending money to a bad business.

It seems like there's always rookies like me joiming this group, so I thought this would be helpful info for many out there.

Any other votes? Or are the ones mentioned, the best to deal with?

[earlfor]

Absolutely. Those guys are the best of the best. My first choice too.

Earl

[QUOTE=bwringer;

My favorite of all time has to be Cycle Recycle II, located right here in Indianapolis. Lots of hard to find stuff on their web site, and lots of used/salvage stuff if you call. If you can't find something or need a bit of tech support, they are the folks to call.
[url]http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/[/url]

[bwringer]

I remember reading some real horror (Happy Halloween) stories here a couple years ago - and wanted to avoid sending money to a bad business.

It seems like there's always rookies like me joiming this group, so I thought this would be helpful info for many out there.

Any other votes? Or are the ones mentioned, the best to deal with?

That's pretty much my list. Here are a few more good ones:
http://mcmaster.com - an industrial supplier with great prices on stainless steel socket head bolts and other materials and goodies you might need. They ship fast from a couple of different warehouses, shipping is very inexpensive, and there's no minimum order. My stuff always shows up the next day from the Chicago warehouse.

http://motorcycleseatcovers.com - very nicely made seat covers for virtually any stock seat. Do NOT order the basket weave patterned vinyl, since it is perforated and therefore unsuitable for a bike that actually gets ridden. (found this out the hard way...) Their materials and craftmanship are otherwise flawless.

http://newenough.com - great deals and incredible service on all kinds of riding gear, luggage, etc. HIGHLY recommended by one and all.

http://alphasports.com - Alpha Sports has a unique and very useful system of looking up part numbers. Unfortunately, they also have eye-watering prices, so I haven't ever actually ordered from them.



On the flip side, there are a few to watch out for -- check the deadbeat threads for the mixed news on Old Bike Barn, if it's still around. OBB doesn't have anything that anyone else doesn't have cheaper anyway.

There's also an outfit called JT motorsports, ( crotchrocket.com ), a dealer somewhere in Arkansas, that has burned a lot of people on this site. They have really low parts prices but no communication, no service, and they only order your stuff from Suzuki and ship it out if and when they feel like it. Some people waited months for parts with no word and nothing but lies when they called. I don't know if they've changed or improved in the past year or so, but I'm staying away after waiting almost a month for an order, with no communication and no explanation. They sure charged my card right away, though.

[zuty13]

http://www.cycle-parts.com/

Has the best prices of OEM ..!!!!!

http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/

for aftermarket parts..!!!

[bwringer]

http://www.cycle-parts.com/
Has the best prices of OEM ..!!!!!

No, they don't. I just checked their prices for several different parts, and they're still about 10% higher than Flat Out.

http://flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_select.asp