I know this has been asked a million and one times before but where is the best place to order OEM parts, I know online parts houses usually are cheaper than the dealer but but but but they shipping is insane. Since when dose it cost $17 to ship 1/2lb of stuff in the states?

Where do you guys order from who has the best shipping prices?

I'm looking for a new emblem cover for the motor, 2 exhaust gaskets so i can repaint, and a new rubber for the bottom of the seat.

By checking around holiday weekends for free shipping offers,

And by trying to bundle your parts into single orders so you're buying at least $100 worth at a time,

You will find most of the major players will give you free shipping.

Most of the online houses vary from $49-$99 for free shipping. Getting to that amount ain't hard at all. If you really only need something cheap, try to take care of some future maintenance needs (buy the BIG tub o' lube).

Also note that all of the same online dealers tend to sell via amazon or eBay. Amazon has a lot of free shipping via its Prime program (which costs extra but is worth it if you shop with them a lot) and eBay is banging the free shipping drum hard at sellers to attract people away from amazon.

I just ordered a rear tire from Chaparral Racing via eBay shipped for $20 less than the tire by itself everywhere else. I've ordered from powersportssuperstore and gotten free shipping, as well as motorcycle-superstore. Bike Bandit does the same "buy a certain amount and get free shipping" deal.

You can also try searching for an item via Goggle Shopping. It will sort results via price including shipping. Shopzilla does the same, but doesn't seem to return as many results as Google when it comes to motorcycle parts.

For just a few parts, support your local dealer or soon you will not have a local dealer. Our dealer Aurora Suzuki gives 10-15% off for members of the West Seattle GS500 Group. They try to match on-line prices, too.

If ordering on-line, order extras. Instead of 2 exhaust gaskets, order 4 (you will need another pair some day). Order parts you will need in the next year - like crush washers, gaskets, filters, etc. Stock up so next time you need to work on your bike, you are not waiting again for parts in the mail.

On-line I have good experiences with partzilla.com

Quote from: cWj on April 04, 2014, 12:36:23 AM
...
buy the BIG tub o' lube ...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005MR3IVO?pc_redir=1396543771&robot_redir=1

Haha thanks for the input, the Suzuki dealership around here really sucks, I'm all for supporting local good business. They have let me down on several occasions, the last time telling me that they did not have an oil filter for a gs500 since it wasn't sold in the USA. I just walked away after that 


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So I had to order a new set of rubber, and valve stems so I figure why to not add in the other parts, I ordered from bike bandit and they shipped for free since it was over $99. They have a distro center near Pittsburgh so I had my tires the next day after ordering them. The other parts are on order from suzuki so god only knows when they will have them but I'm excited to have a front tire that will hold air for longer than a week and a rear one that will grip =) 

Quote from: robfriedenberger on April 04, 2014, 12:50:29 PM
telling me that they did not have an oil filter for a gs500 since it wasn't sold in the USA

New owner here; thought this might be a good thread to ask this question:

What would you (the members) recommend having stocked in your garage for DIY tasks?  Consumables (Loctite (what color?), grease (brand, type?), oil, cleaners), parts (gaskets?) or special tools?

Quote from: danofthejungle on April 09, 2014, 05:33:22 AM
New owner here; thought this might be a good thread to ask this question:

What would you (the members) recommend having stocked in your garage for DIY tasks?  Consumables (Loctite (what color?), grease (brand, type?), oil, cleaners), parts (gaskets?) or special tools?

This should be a separate thread.

Quote from: robfriedenberger on April 04, 2014, 12:03:47 AM
I know this has been asked a million and one times before but where is the best place to order OEM parts, I know online parts houses usually are cheaper than the dealer but but but but they shipping is insane. Since when dose it cost $17 to ship 1/2lb of stuff in the states?

Where do you guys order from who has the best shipping prices?

I'm looking for a new emblem cover for the motor, 2 exhaust gaskets so i can repaint, and a new rubber for the bottom of the seat.

For OEM parts...

partzilla.com
ronayers.com
rockymountainatvmc.com

I've had good experience with all 3.  Shipping time is always a wildcard, because sometimes they have to order the parts themselves instead of having them in stock.

Quote from: danofthejungle on April 09, 2014, 05:33:22 AM
New owner here; thought this might be a good thread to ask this question:

What would you (the members) recommend having stocked in your garage for DIY tasks?  Consumables (Loctite (what color?), grease (brand, type?), oil, cleaners), parts (gaskets?) or special tools?

Liquids and lubes:
Chain & cable lube (for control cables)
Moto-specific chain lube (only for bike chain)
PB Blast (for the rusty bolts)
Red and blue loctite (I only use when specifically required)
Moto engine oil, at least 1 qt
DOT 4 brake fluid, sealed can
DOT 5 brake fluid (as engine polish)
Valvoline axle grease
Brake caliper grease

Tools:
Metric socket set
Brake bleeder kit (cost only $8)
Spark plug socket
Feeler gauge set
Magnetic bolt bowl (keeps bolts from rolling away) http://espimages.biz/2386/I/317/63/beta_magnetic_tool_box_bolt_bowl_02.jpg
Multimeter
Battery charger
Tire pressure guage
Moto jack (or some way to raise it to remove wheels)
Funnel (for oil changes)
Oil catch can (save the environment yo)
Carb sync tool (homemade)


As for parts, that would depend on the condition of your bike. I don't have anything stocked except for an extra oil filter and a headlight bulb. It isn't my primary method of transportation, so I can afford to wait a week or two for parts to arrive.

You could keep these on hand though:

Fork oil
Fork seals
Wheel bearings
Carb kits
Valve shims
Spark plugs
Chain
Sprockets
Speedo cable
Choke cable
Throttle cable


If you plan your repair work strategically, you won't have to stock many parts.

Bike isn't my primary mode of transportation so I only have gaskets, oil and filters on hand. I usually give the bike a once over monthly or after I clean it. You don't really need to stock much if you ride a ton, you'll know before hand when to order some thing. Cables are really only the surprising thing 


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Thanks for this list!

The reason I ask and posted this here is because if I am ordering something online, I would like to bulk order to avoid excessive shipping.  Going to shops in Toronto is not exactly the easiest thing, especially when your only free time to do something is after the kiddos are sleeping (on weekdays), and if the weekend is not jam packed with activities.  Even on weekends, I would have to relieve the wife of parenting duties (she is a stay-at-home mom), and that means dragging two young girls into various motorcycle shops.  I actually like doing that, but kids get tired and hungry very quickly...