How can you tell?

[Alien]

I don't sense any symptoms, but After hearing all the talk of bearing failures, what are the symptoms of bearings that may be going bad?

I know what to look for if the wheel is removed, but is there anything I can keep an eye out for?

I just bought this bike and the tires are almost brand new, so it'll be a while til the wheels come off.

 

[TooFst]

Lift the tire/ wheel off the ground and shake for side-to-side movement.... Or you would hear a growling sound while riding.. Bottom line there would be signs of a bad bearing b4 you had to look for it...

 

[user_deleted]

Lift the tire/ wheel off the ground and shake for side-to-side movement

good advice and also look for any signs of rust or traces of bearing grease with metallic glow to it oozing out of any of the bearings. rear sets tend to expire before front sets and in some cases, in a very quiet shop on a very smooth floor with you OFF the bike...you can actually roll the bike around on the floor and hear and feel bad bearings. it's subtle but you can feel it more than anything else.

 

[SlyFox]

When mine failed, I was cruising 75 on Montana interstate. It suddenly felt like running over mild rumble strips. I checked tires and pavement during deceleration and as I pulled over to stop and do bike inspection, the rear got real wobbly. $500 tow charge from Custer Battefield exit to Beartooth H-D in Billings; where it sat from 4th of July, 2010 until mid Sept. waiting for a replacement wheel. Bearings, axle and wheel were ruined. H-D ultimately sent a new bike to me. I'm so glad that sucker didn't lock up at freeway speed!

 

[Alien]

These are the stories that make me afraid to tour on the Uly. But I've crossed this country a few times aboard bikes made in Japan, so I hope a bike made here in the USA will do right by me on my next tour which begins in Feb.

 

[user_deleted]

i hear ya alien but between my uly, my lightning and my firebolt i've accumulated 17,000 trouble-free miles in the past 2 years if it makes you feel any better.

 

[SlyFox]

I have over 20 k on this replacement bike with no problems...and I make it a point to ask the mechs to check the bearings with each tire replacement.

 

[baybueller]

All production bikes will have a fault average. 3 Buells, 60000 miles, no rodeside failure or much of any. 1 cooling fan at 33000 mi.