Good Roller Bearings pretty much have a limited reasons for failure...
1. Lack of lubrication caused by heat, or seal failure

2. Axial shock ( pot holes rough roads) which creates flat spots

 

i agree totally. these sealed (roller) bearing will last a very long time. with that being said i hope nobody is using a pressure washer to clean there bike as it is possible to break the seal on these bearings and cause failure down the road. i have seen people do this before not understanding that you can get water into fobidden areas. wheel bearing,wire connectors ect.

 

'00 to '07 double row bearings (21 mm wide,) lasted 100,000 miles and more. I changed mine out at that mileage and they didn't really need it.

'08 and later are single row (15 mm) on 25mm axles and were poorly lubricated and still are weak spots IMO ( Harley just got cheap.) On a '10 I'd at least inspect them and not just assume they're still good to go.

 

I Agree , my 2010 fronts failed at 4500. The rears at 10000. And I never put a hose directly on them. Have some friends that didn't get to much more out of theirs. 2008 and up bearings do have issues. No way are they going 100,000 miles.


QUOTE=Stiggy;12214216]AND

[quote hardheaded
are the bearings you guys talking about the 25mm bearings or earlier bearings. i've seen the 25mm bearings go very early with very little mileage on them. my went at 2542 on the front and have seen alot of them go bad before 10,000 miles.

'00 to '07 double row bearings (21 mm wide,) lasted 100,000 miles and more. I changed mine out at that mileage and they didn't really need it.

'08 and later are single row (15 mm) on 25mm axles and were poorly lubricated and still are weak spots IMO ( Harley just got cheap.) On a '10 I'd at least inspect them and not just assume they're still good to go.[/QUOTE]

 

My Indy changed my wheel bearing when my tire was changed. He showed me the old bearing and you could see where it was bad. It was only $20 or so, so it wasn't a big deal. Had about 15000 miles on at the time. My Indy said it's pretty common to have to replace the bearing when you change the tire. He's pretty trustworthy.

 

my bad.sorry i had a 02 roadking and a 07 streetglide. i did not realize the wheel bearings changed again and i have no experience with the 08 and later. i have since sold the other two bikes and now own a 2014 flhxs so i guess i better find out what i have now.

 

Thanks to all of you for your help.

 

I have a 2010 FLTRX and had to change my front at 16,000 mi and my rear bearing at just over 25,000 mi. I check mine every tire change.

 

In all the bikes that I have own (and owned) I have never had to replace a wheel bearing, front or rear. but I've always had them serviced when the wheels were off of the bike getting new tires.

However, from what I have read on this site, specifically concerning the '09's and later models, I'll be sure to be to have my bearings replaced at every tire replacement.
A few bucks in PM can save a lot of bucks and headaches down the highway.

 

My 06 road glide still has original bearings with 75,000 miles. I check them every tire change and never pressure wash.