How long do front wheel bearings last?
Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 6,286
From: SoCal
My front bearings last as long as the front tire does.
My rear bearings last as long as the rear tire does.
I change wheel bearings when I replace tires.
I never checked to see if they were 'still good'.
My rear bearings last as long as the rear tire does.
I change wheel bearings when I replace tires.
I never checked to see if they were 'still good'.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
Anywhere from a couple hundred miles to over 80,000.
Luck of the draw, how wet they get or don't get.
My 07 Rg had 75K on it and all factory bearings. Same results on several bikes. 2013 front failed at 25K
Maintenance item you need to inspected it at least every tire change.
Luck of the draw, how wet they get or don't get.
My 07 Rg had 75K on it and all factory bearings. Same results on several bikes. 2013 front failed at 25K
Maintenance item you need to inspected it at least every tire change.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 3,979
From: Near Yosemite
This....
Hardened steel outer race vs aluminum wheel hub......... not a fair fight at all. See NO reason for changing out bearings every tire change at all. Checking them thoroughly? You bet!! But it's you $$$, your bike, your feeling of security, right?
77,000 miles on OEM bearings on my '03 RK before I changed them, and even then they felt fine, I just wanted to change them out in my shop, not on the road.
99,000 miles on OEM bearings still on my '14 SGS and they still feel fine, but will get changed out this winter along with some other things.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
^^^^^What he said^^^^^
I install my own tires and bearings. Wheel bearings will last a long time IF they are properly installed. When I change tires I always check my bearings. If I don't think there's an issue I don't worry about it.
For those that have a tech install them, if you have the ability to jack your bike up and pull your front wheel, spend an hour and double check their work. Most likely all is well but that front wheel is pretty damn important to trust your life to someone else's wrench.
I install my own tires and bearings. Wheel bearings will last a long time IF they are properly installed. When I change tires I always check my bearings. If I don't think there's an issue I don't worry about it.
For those that have a tech install them, if you have the ability to jack your bike up and pull your front wheel, spend an hour and double check their work. Most likely all is well but that front wheel is pretty damn important to trust your life to someone else's wrench.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
So the conclusion to how long these 25mm bearings last is still a crap shoot or just the luck of the draw. I will replace at every tire change and if the wheel bore wears out i will just buy new wheels.
Man, i wish they would have stayed with the tapered Timken type bearings.
Man, i wish they would have stayed with the tapered Timken type bearings.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 8,423
From: Inland NW
I changed my fronts when the rear got noisy and changed around 11K
Went with SKF and got the ABS bearings from Brock's
I will check them at tire swaps, but I do not sweat wearing out the bore in the hub
Went with SKF and got the ABS bearings from Brock's
I will check them at tire swaps, but I do not sweat wearing out the bore in the hub
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
I won't say what he said about people who change them at every tire change.
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