Bikebandit

tobysdad · Post by **tobysdad** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:38 pm

Recently I bought some parts (bolts, bulbs etc.) from Bikebandit. I was super careful to order the exact parts I needed. I even made my wishlist with full descriptions so I would know exactly what the part was to be used for.

My order arrived Friday and about half of it was recognizable. The other half barely resembled the part I needed. For example, I ordered 3 petcock bolts and washers (CA77). The washers were perfect, the bolts were so big the washers wouldn't even fit over them and wouldn't come close to fitting the gas tank.

This isn't the first time. I ordered parts for my 1972 Yamaha CS5E and I still can't figure how or why they sent me some parts. I now have a collection of totally worthless nuts and bolts. It's just not worth it to send them back but it is totally frustrating.

Am I the only one having this problem? Is there another more reliable source? It's not like it's cost me a lot of money, it's just a pain in the ass after I've waited for the parts and now have to find another source.

bbap · Post by **bbap** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:51 pm

I've had similar results. I think it's really hit and miss with them. I've ordered stuff they say is in stock only to find out it delayed my order by 3 days and it's not in stock and never was...I think Bike Bandit is really good for accessories and for late model bikes. i tried getting stuff for my '79 Suzi Rm and I got exactly what I needed. Tires, boots, tubes and stuff like that I always head in that direction. Parts - not so much....

Snakeoil · Post by **Snakeoil** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:40 am

The only problem I've had with them is a chain I ordered that was "in stock" showed up as "on-order" after I placed my order. But I had it within 2 weeks so it was not a big deal.

I've never ordered OEM parts from them because I always like to talk to a dealer that knows the bike I am ordering parts for.

I suspect Bike Bandit is just that. They are a middle man that has a deal set up with dealers and parts and accessory distributors to sell their parts on the web at discount prices. I cannot see them being a dealer for every brand out there.

I may be wrong about this. It's just a hunch.

When somebody sends the wrong parts to you, you have the right to make them make it right. Very often, dealers have told me to keep the small parts and sent me the right one. The mistate was usually when there was an error on the micro fiche or in the parts list. I've run into a number of errors regarding bolt lengths on my CL77. Not everyone has money to burn on wrong part, no matter how small value. So if you get the wrong part, let them know, have them issue a pick-up ticket for the bad parts and send you the right parts. Unless you do this, they will keep making the wrong mistakes.

I find find mistakes in vendors' on line catalogs, parts list, fiche, etc. I normally send them a courtesy email letting them know. 99% of the time they are appreciative. You are not just helping them when you do this, you are also helping the next guy that orders that part.

regards,
Rob

Narly9999 · Post by **Narly9999** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:56 am

Snakeoil wrote:I find find mistakes in vendors' on line catalogs, parts list, fiche, etc. I normally send them a courtesy email letting them know. 99% of the time they are appreciative. You are not just helping them when you do this, you are also helping the next guy that orders that part.

regards,
Rob

I second that Rob,. I've delt with Bikebandit and cycle-parts.com both seem to not be perfect but work fast at getting you the right parts.

teazer · Post by **teazer** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:37 am

Bike bandit are usually quite fast after they order the parts form Honda, Yamaha etc but they use their own numbering system and it is sometimes wrong where it is cross referenced to the OEM part number.

Example. Ordered a throttle cable for a 72/3 GT750 and what arrived was a throttle cable for a Suzuki single cylinder trail bike with a very different OEM number on the label. It's their cross referencing that seems to be screwed up at times.

CL77NOW · Post by **CL77NOW** » Sat May 28, 2011 11:25 am

keep in mind.
that Honda changed parts but kept the same number. (case in point, 5mm JIS , non std parts)
or added a letter A on the end that the seller , left off.

The dream of life support ended, when the owner of Honda died.
He promised to support all bikes for ever, (paraphrasing here)
the young bucks now do as they please.
the heck with CL bike, change the parts.

http://world.honda.com/history/limitles ... reametype/