Wheel bearings (orange)

[FJR1300David]

Question about the wheel bearings on my recent '07 XB12Ss purchase. Bike has 7000 miles on it. I had to replace front tire so I could feel the bearings while wheel was off the bike. They felt smooth
and had no slop and there was a little bit of drag from the seals.

Rear wheel is unknown as I've not pulled wheel off but just spinning the wheel and listening and holding fingers near bearings all feels OK. No slop in wheel.

I almost sure they are the original OEM bearings. The seals are orange and the edges of the bearing outer race show just a bit corrosion between the wheel and bearing. Keep riding on them and keep an eye on things or replace? I'm assuming I'll be able to catch any failure before its catastrophic?

Thanks!

 

[Cooter]

At 7000 miles you should be fine as long as they weren't pressure washed a bunch. The bummer is the stock ones usually won't give you any warning before failure.

In my experience, 20K miles is a good replacement interval. YMMV.

 

[FJR1300David]

I know for sure the bike never saw a pressure washer...it was filthy when I bought it. Good to know I have a few more miles in them. What is a typical failure mode/warning on these?

 

[Cooter]

Crack, crack, pop, and your on the side of the road. Like I said, I always replace them near 20K and have never had an issue (crossed fingers).

 

[mrlogix]

they are cheap enough (lunatic sells the AllBalls brand) that I have set to changing them once every two years. Since I ride like a heathern idiot Buelligan, it's worth the piece of mind to me.

 

[FJR1300David]

Thanks guys...in a year or so I'll pop a new set in.