Motorcycle parts and accessories: what is legal and what to check

First of all, check that the part is made for your bike: make, model and year. Many parts change from one year to the next, and the manufacturer's part number is the safest way to compare.

On Motoland, each accessory says which bikes it is compatible with, and you can filter for the ones that fit yours.

Parts that matter on the road, such as exhausts, lights and tyres, carry a type-approval mark: an E in a circle or an e in a rectangle, with the number of the country that approved it, and the approval number.

A replacement exhaust has to be approved for your bike. It cannot be louder than the original, nor change the power or the top speed by more than 5%.

An exhaust without road approval, like those sold for racing, cannot go on a registered bike. And removing the dB killer makes the exhaust different from what was approved.

Replacement lights and indicators also carry an E mark. LED bulbs in place of halogen bulbs are only approved for some types, with the LEDr marking and for the models the manufacturer lists. For H4 and H7 there is still no LED approved under the UN rules.

• They must be approved and have the size listed in the bike's papers, with load and speed indexes equal to or higher.
• The manufacturing date is on the sidewall: four digits, the week and the year. 2423 is week 24 of 2023.
• In Portugal, the tread must be at least 1 mm deep in the main tread grooves.
• On a used tyre, check the date, the wear and whether there are cuts or patches.

• Safety parts, like brakes, tyres and suspension, only with a history you know.
• On protectors and fairings, look for cracks and broken mounts.
• Panniers and top cases: check they come with the mounts and the keys.
• Replacement brake pads also have their own approval (R90): look for the mark.
• Ask for photos of the type-approval mark and the part number.