A few weeks ago, I was having a discussion with a couple of mates, and it was a discussion that almost turned into an argument. The subject of our conversation was whether or not factory fitted ?optional extras? are worth the extra money, compared to aftermarket parts. It?s always been my view that factory fitted stuff is a massive rip off. I?ve never been able to see myself going down that route. But I found myself outnumbered. And thanks to some interesting and well-reasoned arguments from my drinking companions, I almost started to change my mind. Don?t worry, I?ll spare you the ramblings of three half pissed idiots. But I thought it would be only right to share with you our findings. So here?s what we learnt?

Let me start by laying my original argument out. First of all, almost anything that you could possibly find in a manufacturers ?genuine parts? catalogue will have an aftermarket alternative. In fact it?ll usually have a selection of aftermarket alternatives to choose from. Whether you?re trying to improve the bikes performance, comfort or styling. Or even just looking for something to replace a broken part. And because there are loads to choose from, you?ll almost certainly be able to find one that?s quite cheap. Well cheaper than the one with the factory?s logo on it, anyway.
And that was about it. That was, in essence, my entire argument.

Of course it didn?t take long for them to form a rebuttal. As they explained, there are a bunch of reasons to...