I just got my 16 Road King back from the stealer and they say the tech heard a noise up front and says my wheel bearings are going out. The bike only has a little less than 27k on it. What's the average life expectancy of those? The bike does have ABS.

 

It can be a crapshoot on wheel bearings nowadays, especially if high pressure water washing is introduced into the picture. I’d certainly check them and change if they sound/feel like they are going south.

 

I've had 60,000 and I've had less than 10,000. Can't run with bad bearings, and they are cheap. It is what it is.

 

With enough good grease from the start - long life.
Not enough grease at the start - short life.
Pays to check bearings prior to install. Pop the seals and react accordingly.
And don't use a pressure washer on your bike.

 

I read some guy on here changed out the original wheel bearings for better units at his first tyre change.

Then every 10,000 miles after

Wiz 🍻

 

With the extended warranty it's only going to cost $50 might as well get it done. Thanks

 

I have new wheel bearings installed every other tire change which, for me, is about 12000 miles on the rear and 20000 miles on the front.

 

My original rear wheel bearings began to saw the outer race in half. And, 100 miles later, they did. Destroyed the rear wheel/brake caliper/rotor/caliper mount/pads. Did all this in 6200 miles. No rain, no pressure washer, no wetness of any kind. No "two-up" riding. Just me (I go 230#.) Replaced all under warranty. Replaced with an "upgraded" bearing from HD. Front has been fine since new. 18,7XX miles now.

 

Thanks for the replies, I had no idea they wore that quickly. Will be definitely be getting it done with a quickness I have suffered long enough without being able to ride.

 

From what I have experienced on my own bikes and witnessed with friends bikes the fronts are between 15-25K. Fronts I change with tires. Rears every other tire change.