Bearings wearing out: predictably when?

4250 Views 22 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Bfair, 3 mo ago

ArthurY

Discussion Starter · 9 mo ago

I just saw several reports over on the Africa Twin group in FB about their need to replace bearings every time they replace their tires as a preemptive prophylaxis step. The reports claimed that most of the shot bearings occur at around 20K miles.

Question:
Is this issue also occurring on the newer 2021/2022 AT?

Please chime in if you have a higher mileage AT or you have read something somewhere.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

rustynut2

· #2 · 9 mo ago

Bull butter. When the tire is removed stick your finger in the bearing and see how it feels. If it checks ok keep using it. I’ve never changed one yet and have lots of hard riding Poor wheel installation might be responsible for bad bearings. Keep some on hand if you can’t wait a week to get them.

Reactions: 5

Lupolee

· #3 · 9 mo ago

30k miles and still on original bearings, lots of “spirited” riding on bumpy roads etc….not much if any off road though.

Reactions: 3

SoonerRider

· #4 · 9 mo ago

Just my 2 cents and YMMV. I was recently stranded 2500 miles from home due to a bad wheel bearing - bike had about 27K miles at the time and I just finished taking it to from Houston, Texas to Deadhorse, Alaska. As cheap as they are I plan on changing them about every 15K so I wont get stranded like I did this time. Towing / motel / etc. was over $500. I ended up getting the bearing from Motion Industries because the Honda dealer didn't have them in stock - got a dust seal from O'Rielys (not exact - but close enough) . Just a mess I think I would rather not repeat for a $8 dollar bearing...

I always use proper torque / alignment procedures when I remove the rear wheel or tighten my chain btw...

rider_marc

· #5 · 9 mo ago

I first detected a loose right side rear wheel bearing and replaced front and rear bearings and seals at 24,242 miles. The bearing was worn, not blown-out. The front bearings still seemed tight at the time of replacement.

Shadowjack

· #6 · 9 mo ago

How many of you who've had to replace bearings have ridden much through deep water? Correlation?

Sled

· #7 · 9 mo ago

+ All bearings aren’t created equal.

Reactions: 1

rider_marc

· #8 · 9 mo ago

Every time I remove a wheel, the seals get whipped clean and a new layer of Bel-Ray waterproof grease is applied. There's never been dirt or water behind the seals.

WvAtx2

· #9 · 9 mo ago

Did a four day ride last month with a friend that owns a 2017 AT, and 200 miles into the first day, he complained of some noise and wobble. Checked his rear wheel bearings, and they were bad. Also checked his chain tension, and it was way too tight. He had tightened his chain the night before we headed out. It’s been many years since he’s owned anything with as much suspension travel as an AT has, and simply forgot more slack is needed in the chain.

Reactions: 2

Sled

· #10 · 9 mo ago

WvAtx2 said:
Did a four day ride last month with a friend that owns a 2017 AT, and 200 miles into the first day, he complained of some noise and wobble. Checked his rear wheel bearings, and they were bad. Also checked his chain tension, and it was way too tight. He had tightened his chain the night before we headed out. It’s been many years since he’s owned anything with as much suspension travel as an AT has, and simply forgot more slack is needed in the chain.
[/QUOTE

100%. Another indicator of a tight chain is a notchy sounding or feeling gear shift. The owners manual is a guide not a bible.

Reactions: 2

Misterk

· #11 · 9 mo ago

On my twins, I always change wheel bearings at 30k miles as part of regular maintenance. They are cheap to replace. BTW, I also use the OEM bearings.

Reactions: 1

rustynut2

· #12 · 9 mo ago

^ Nothing wrong with preventive maintenance. I just wouldn’t have a set in my to go kit to run to the store.

LukeWhere

· #13 · 9 mo ago

50,000km on original bearings. Lots of dirt riding. Lots of rain where we are so lots of mud too. I check them every so often. No need yet.

bdalameda

· #14 · 9 mo ago

21 inch front wheels are a bit harder on bearings than smaller wheels as the larger wheel has more leverage against the bearings as the wheel flexes etc.. It depends on the type of riding but shorter life spans on bearings can result.

On the AT the rear wheel bearing failures, in my option, are very related to chain tension. I believe the method that Honda publishes for adjusting the chain is not accurate and too tight chains are the result. Putting the bike on the side stand and adjusting is just not a repeatable way to adjust the chain. Sag and spring adjustment as well as the spring aging will result in improper adjustment. It is my opinion that the chan should always be adjusted on the center stand or at least have all the weight taken off the rear wheel and the rear suspension fully extended when an adjustment is made. This is the only way that you can have a repeatable reference point to make adjustments. You have to first get the chain properly adjusted and take measurements of the chain slack at a known point to use when adjusting the chain in the future.

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Reactions: 2

DoubleThumper

· #15 · 9 mo ago

If Honda would only ship the AT with an included center stand.

Reactions: 3

Cuchulainn

· #16 · 9 mo ago

DoubleThumper said:
If Honda would only ship the AT with an included center stand.

It has become the standard not to these days. I am not sure if it is a cost cutting measure, weight saving measure to help meet minimum fuel efficiency requirements, if they have determined that many folks don't want them, or what?

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DoubleThumper

· #17 · 9 mo ago

I reckon cost cutting for Honda, but charge the same for the bike.

Honda can easily argue lightens bike, improved ground clearance, and extra profit when owner buys OEM stand because it is such a maintenance convenience.

bdalameda

· #18 · 9 mo ago

It is not too difficult to prop the bike up on the side stand using an appropriate size piece of wood to take the load off the rear suspension to make chain adjustments.

Another reason I believe that people are not adjusting the chains on AT's correctly are the many worn out countershaft sprockets I have seen. With a properly adjusted chain the countershaft sprockets and splines should last a very very long time and yet I have seen quite a few worn down fairly rapidly. I run a loose chain and have fitted a proper chain guide that totally captures the chain to prevent it from jumping off the back sprocket. I have only adjusted my chain one time in the last two years.

Reactions: 1

bdalameda

· #19 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

Here is the chain guide I installed, I believe the guide block was made by Acerbis for a CRF450 Honda and Rugged Roads made an adaptor bracket for the Africa Twin.

Hood Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Automotive design Bumper

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3 Twins

· #20 · 3 mo ago

A lot of failed wheel bearings are due to inappropriate use of power washers......

Reactions: 1

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