An excellent example of the ripoff that is OEM parts...

[Howley]

I was looking to replace the distributor cap, rotor and points on my ford van. I called up the ford parts place, and got the following information:

Cap:   $140
Rotor: $90
"We don't have them in stock, we'll need to order it in. We won't have the points"

I was decidedly shocked that two pieces of plastic should cost a total of $230, and the salesman agreed and suggested I go to a local auto parts supplier and check there. "It will be far cheaper there" he said, "Maybe half, less than $60".

I thanked him and called said auto parts store, where I got the following information:

Cap:    $14
Rotor:  $7
Points: $11

Everything was in stock, and I left there happy knowing I just saved $198.

[tommys67]

Yep, I learned the same thing with the Lambda sensor on my 695.  The Ducati parts price was $275.  I found a place in England that shipped it to me for $145.

It was the exact same OEM part, as well.

[Hedgehog]

Yep, I learned the same thing with the Lambda sensor on my 695.  The Ducati parts price was $275.  I found a place in England that shipped it to me for $145.

It was the exact same OEM part, as well.

The bad news is that you could have gotten a generic lambda sensor for about $50 and just soldered in the OEM connector.

[mstevens]

I was decidedly shocked that two pieces of plastic should cost a total of $230, and the salesman agreed and suggested I go to a local auto parts supplier and check there. "It will be far cheaper there" he said, "Maybe half, less than $60".

That's sales math for you.

[NAKID]

Yep, I learned the same thing with the Lambda sensor on my 695.  The Ducati parts price was $275.  I found a place in England that shipped it to me for $145.

It was the exact same OEM part, as well.

Was your bike out of warranty?

[tommys67]

Was your bike out of warranty?

I think I'm still in warranty, but I broke off the sensor myself somehow - not a warranty issue

[NAKID]

Ouch, that sux...

[johnster]

Been there done that...    <-- not at you, at the situation!! 

I dropped my bike when I first got it + luckily escaped with just a bent shift lever, snapped clutch lever, small dent in tank (barely noticable) + bruised ego. Bought a replacement OEM clutch lever from my Duc dealer for $100.

Found the SAME PART on line a week later for $35!!!   

-Shopping around definitely pays off!!