Bearing Guru
Popular Reply
Jul 30, 2025, 06:02 PM
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,729
Likes: 22,817
From: North Carolina
SKF - Timken
The standard bearing for normal applications like electric motors and wheel bearings is an ABEC 3 classification.
I am partial to SKF which also markets under the MRC name. A German company that wrote the book on radial ball bearings and has long been the bench mark.
The common for a 25mm is their 6205-2RSC3 which is a double rubber sealed bearing lubed for life.
I cut my teeth on Fafnir, which is an old American made brand who also owned Torrington. Their number was 205-NPP. They were purchased around year 2000 by Timken which was Timkens first move from tapered roller bearings into the world of ball bearings. Timken adapted the SKF numbering system. A huge plus for Timken is their bearing steel. Many do not know that Timken is the worlds leading producer of bearing steel. The best there is period.
*** from Europe is also an excellent quality bearing.
Then comes the Japanese brands, specifically NTN and Nachi. They are both excellent quality and have a long history in the automotive industry. I interviewed with Nachi many years back but they were looking for an engineering degree and sales experience in the automotive world.
In todays time I think you see there are many great manufacturers out there. Over the years I was forced to sell thousands of bearings based on price point. Most of these were from the Asian rim and some were good and many were total junk. We had to learn which brokers focused on quality and stick with those that worked. A great bearing and value was KBC which stood for Korean Bearing Corp. I would never consider running them as wheel bearings in my motorcycle, but they were good bearings overall.
#1 SKF (6205-2RS C3 25mm ID x 52mm OD x 15mm Width)
#2 Timken
#3 ***
My opinion only. The biggest issue you will encounter is ABS bearings. They may be harder to find in these brand names. I need to do some research on those myself.
I hope this helps a little.
Regards,
Mark
https://cad.timken.com/item/deep-gro...64/6205-2rs-c3
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,057
Likes: 5,316
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,729
Likes: 22,817
From: North Carolina
I am happy to try and help with a question or problem if I can. I spent 30 years as a distributor of bearings representing SKF / MRC, Timken, Bower / BCA, NTN, Nachi, Fafnir, Torrington, INA, IKO and many others. I went through factory training with most and have seen and learned a lot.
What’s up?
What’s up?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,729
Likes: 22,817
From: North Carolina
SKF - Timken
The standard bearing for normal applications like electric motors and wheel bearings is an ABEC 3 classification.
I am partial to SKF which also markets under the MRC name. A German company that wrote the book on radial ball bearings and has long been the bench mark.
The common for a 25mm is their 6205-2RSC3 which is a double rubber sealed bearing lubed for life.
I cut my teeth on Fafnir, which is an old American made brand who also owned Torrington. Their number was 205-NPP. They were purchased around year 2000 by Timken which was Timkens first move from tapered roller bearings into the world of ball bearings. Timken adapted the SKF numbering system. A huge plus for Timken is their bearing steel. Many do not know that Timken is the worlds leading producer of bearing steel. The best there is period.
*** from Europe is also an excellent quality bearing.
Then comes the Japanese brands, specifically NTN and Nachi. They are both excellent quality and have a long history in the automotive industry. I interviewed with Nachi many years back but they were looking for an engineering degree and sales experience in the automotive world.
In todays time I think you see there are many great manufacturers out there. Over the years I was forced to sell thousands of bearings based on price point. Most of these were from the Asian rim and some were good and many were total junk. We had to learn which brokers focused on quality and stick with those that worked. A great bearing and value was KBC which stood for Korean Bearing Corp. I would never consider running them as wheel bearings in my motorcycle, but they were good bearings overall.
#1 SKF (6205-2RS C3 25mm ID x 52mm OD x 15mm Width)
#2 Timken
#3 ***
My opinion only. The biggest issue you will encounter is ABS bearings. They may be harder to find in these brand names. I need to do some research on those myself.
I hope this helps a little.
Regards,
Mark
https://cad.timken.com/item/deep-gro...64/6205-2rs-c3
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 894
From: Sacto
For the "Name" brands I would be careful who you buy from (e.g. ebay, amazon). Authorized dealers would be best, but more spendy.
This sounds weird, but counterfeit bearings is a real thing ...
https://www.timken.com/product/authentic-bearings/
https://www.stopfakebearings.com/
This sounds weird, but counterfeit bearings is a real thing ...
https://www.timken.com/product/authentic-bearings/
https://www.stopfakebearings.com/
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,902
From: East Coast, USA
The last set of wheel bearings I purchased at the local bearing supply house were labeled:
SKF Explorer
6205-2RSH/C3
What does the "H" mean? Is this bearing different/better than the 6205-2RS/C3?
SKF Explorer
6205-2RSH/C3
What does the "H" mean? Is this bearing different/better than the 6205-2RS/C3?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,857
Likes: 4,417
From: Texas
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,857
Likes: 4,417
From: Texas
For the "Name" brands I would be careful who you buy from (e.g. ebay, amazon). Authorized dealers would be best, but more spendy.
This sounds weird, but counterfeit bearings is a real thing ...
https://www.timken.com/product/authentic-bearings/
https://www.stopfakebearings.com/
This sounds weird, but counterfeit bearings is a real thing ...
https://www.timken.com/product/authentic-bearings/
https://www.stopfakebearings.com/
Sometimes they will say made in some country where SKF doesn't produce that bearing. SKF will NEVER say "Made in China" - they do not produce any SKF brand bearing in China (they do produce in China, but not for sale under the SKF brand to the general public). These 6205 bearings are also only produced in specific countries like Bulgaria, Argentina, Korea, and Brazil (just a few examples).
He also said something like 50% of the bearings on Amazon are counterfeit... They buy some occasionally to inspect them.
