best aftermarket parts source

[greenbarn]

...  Many of them look like they are just renamed clone portals for some larger company.

That's kind of what I thought...

[DC]

You get a gazillion hits, if you do searches for parts suppliers.  Many of them look like they are just renamed clone portals for some larger company.

[Petemoss]

However, I have very little patience with "sorry about your luck but it's your problem."

In that situation, you have more patience than me!  Cause I have none.

[greenbarn]

There is a lot to be said for quality customer service when things go wrong.

Oh, I agree with that.  I can forgive a mistake quite easily if it's taken care of as best that is possible, or even if they make an attempt to help out.  However, I have very little patience with "sorry about your luck but it's your problem."

[Petemoss]

I've used bike bandit twice now and the first order was upgraded shipping at no cost to me. So, I got my part pretty quick. Second time part should've arrived last Thursday. UPS lost the part in Maumee, Ohio. Here's the good part, both bike bandit and UPS have been, so far, on top of it. One day late and bike bandit reordered the part and should be on its way soon. There is a lot to be said for quality customer service when things go wrong.

[greenbarn]

NO parts retailer keeps all the parts on hand. ALL of them have to order from their distributors. Most are only going to keep the most requested, most requested parts. Its too expensive to do otherwise.

I believe this to be true.I've researched quite a few distributors and all of them indeed have basically the same parts setup with scrolling on the part needed,zoom in,find part # etc.I myself found Chaparrel to be the cheapest overall but like the rest of the companies out there you'll be waiting about a week on parts.

Yea, I agree all these places will operate that way.  I was just hoping to find out who has the best/fastest/cheapest/most/quickest.  So far sounds like Ron ayers is in the running and another vote for Chaparrel.  Any others? 

[chief]

NO parts retailer keeps all the parts on hand. ALL of them have to order from their distributors. Most are only going to keep the most requested, most requested parts. Its too expensive to do otherwise.

[Drift1]

I'd think it'd be real hard to stock every part for every bike.  I'm sure most of them drop ship from a few warehouses that specialize in 1 brand or the other.

I believe this to be true.I've researched quite a few distributors and all of them indeed have basically the same parts setup with scrolling on the part needed,zoom in,find part # etc.I myself found Chaparrel to be the cheapest overall but like the rest of the companies out there you'll be waiting about a week on parts.

[pcarrell]

In the past I have used Babbits and Bike Bandit, but I had thought the delivery times were rather long.  This week, I needed a part and ordered from Ron Ayers.  They are in North Carolina, which is somewhat closer to me, so I thought their delivery time would be possibly quicker.  However, after ordering I read the "fine print" and found their disclaimer that they don't stock most of the parts (to keep the cost down) which results in several days delay.  I think many of the parts sellers do this. 

I'd think it'd be real hard to stock every part for every bike.  I'm sure most of them drop ship from a few warehouses that specialize in 1 brand or the other.

[pcarrell]

I don't know if they ship to the frozen tundra though........

[chief]

I tend to use Ron Ayers a lot.

Yeah I did an evaluation a few years ago and ronayers.com came out #2... but it was easier to use and #1 is no longer around.

[CDNRatMan]

  I tried a few places and have not had luck with any one place....

I did find Bike Bandit really expensive for shipping, have used them for some part, again to expensive for shipping

I'll check the others out later.....

[pcarrell]

I tend to use Ron Ayers a lot.

[greenbarn]

So who's your favorite OEM parts seller?

Who do you think has the best combination of price, availability, shipping costs, delivery time, etc.?

I have found at least a half -dozen places that have OEM parts.

http://www.babbittsonline.com/home
http://www.bikebandit.com/
www.kawasakipartshouse.com/
www.cheapcycleparts.com/Kawasaki
www.kawasakioemparts.com/
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/oem-parts/Kawasaki
www.kawasakipartsnation.com/
www.partzilla.com/Kawasaki.html
www.metricpartsoutlet.com/

Many of these use what appears to be the same look-up tool and have the same prices - makes me wonder if many of them are actually the same company.

In the past I have used Babbits and Bike Bandit, but I had thought the delivery times were rather long.  This week, I needed a part and ordered from Ron Ayers.  They are in North Carolina, which is somewhat closer to me, so I thought their delivery time would be possibly quicker.  However, after ordering I read the "fine print" and found their disclaimer that they don't stock most of the parts (to keep the cost down) which results in several days delay.  I think many of the parts sellers do this.