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Author Topic: Bearing life?  (Read 1525 times)

JaimeC

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Bearing life?
« on: July 07, 2017, 07:57:24 PM »

Approaching 12,000 miles and there seems to be a developing vibration that comes and goes when I'm riding (depending on speed).  Wondering if my wheel bearings need replacement already?  Sure hope it isn't the MOTOR...
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Richard230

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2017, 08:04:42 PM »

I sometimes feel the same thing when leaned over, but it comes and goes, so I don't think it is bearings or the motor.  Perhaps some sort of vibration caused by a slightly worn or improperly tensioned belt or maybe from the tire tread.   ???
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DPsSRnSD

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2017, 09:36:14 PM »

I sometimes feel the same thing when leaned over, but it comes and goes, so I don't think it is bearings or the motor.  Perhaps some sort of vibration caused by a slightly worn or improperly tensioned belt or maybe from the tire tread.   ???

I also feel the vibration like this. I'm hoping it's just the sides of the tires grabbing for traction
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2017, 11:17:24 PM »

To be clear, JaimeC and DPsSRnSD have 2016 bikes with the more robust bearings (whose lifetime hasn't been established, but my 2016 DSR bearings are okay at 22k miles), and Richard230 has a 2014 SR with the older bearings that have a relatively short lifetime (often under 10k miles).

Bearing noises tend to be very noticeable on a Zero, so that'll help shed light on this when/if it happens for anyone here.
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JaimeC

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2017, 11:19:41 PM »

I will double-check the rear-wheel alignment.  May not be "perfect" after my last belt adjustment.  Thanks, Brian.
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2017, 11:32:30 PM »

I will double-check the rear-wheel alignment.  May not be "perfect" after my last belt adjustment.  Thanks, Brian.

Sure. Come to think of it, is the speed a definite amount, like a band where something resonates? That would seem to point more to the alignment, I'm guessing.
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Electric Terry

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2017, 12:31:54 AM »

I have close to 40,000 miles on my 2015 and original Zero bearings and no noise or vibration at all and I have a heavy very loaded down bike all the time.

My 2012 bearings first failed at 18,000 miles with mostly the stock weight, and then about 15,000 miles after that when the bike was much heavier. 

Because of the streamlining, my highway throttle usage was so little that the back tire would last about 20,000 miles.  But the bearings would fail sooner than the tire.  So I never had to get a new tire put on, I just got a new tire with a new wheel (and bearings) about 4 times over the next 2 years until the Vetter bike sort of retired in 2015.

So those with a 2014 or earlier bike, check the bearings frequently if you have 20,000 miles or more.  Those with a 2015 or newer bike, I have yet to see one fail.  Hoping for a 50,000 mile or more useful life out of the new generation wheels.

Not to say it isn't possible sooner than 50k, just it should be on par with the averages of other motorcycles. there is probably a bell curve where most average 50k miles, and some will go sooner and some will last longer.  If anyone with a 2015 and up has had a bearing failure let us know so we know where the early part of the bell curve begins.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 12:35:18 AM by Electric Terry »
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2017, 03:31:07 AM »

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SteveInNC

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2017, 04:29:52 PM »

I came on here looking to see if anyone else was having an issue like this. My bike has developed a vibration when I'm leaning over. Could this be bearings? I have a 2015 SR with only 3000 miles.


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Electric Terry

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2017, 07:21:35 PM »

I came on here looking to see if anyone else was having an issue like this. My bike has developed a vibration when I'm leaning over. Could this be bearings? I have a 2015 SR with only 3000 miles.

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It's possible, but I'd say tire cupping is more likely.  But to check the bearing just jack the bike up and try to wiggle the wheel on the axle.  It shouldn't move at all.  If it moves side to side at all take it to the dealer for closer inspection, but at 3000 miles it seems unlikely.
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SteveInNC

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2017, 07:49:15 PM »

Thanks Terry!


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JaimeC

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2017, 08:49:25 PM »

As Brian had mentioned, mine appears to be "Speed Related."  There is a harmonic vibration that comes and goes depending on the speed I'm traveling.  Doesn't matter if I'm strictly vertical or leaned over.
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togo

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2017, 11:18:43 PM »

Yeah, definitely check the alignment.

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DPsSRnSD

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2017, 12:00:55 AM »

I realized this weekend that something else to check for is gunk stuck in the rear sprocket. It makes getting a consistent reading for belt tension difficult.
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JaimeC

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Re: Bearing life?
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2017, 12:29:53 AM »

Yeah, definitely check the alignment.

I think I need a more accurate method than the markings on the swingarm because they sure SEEM to be the same on each side.
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