Ceramic bearings for front end

[Robert]

I always wanted to try ceramic bearings and the front on these bikes are so easy to take the wheel off and replace bearings so I thought I would give it a try. Yea I know its a bit of extreme maintenance but I really wanted to see if they would make a difference. Since the old bearings were not bad I didn't expect much. The ceramics were definitely smoother and required less to make them move in comparison to the regular ones I took out just spinning them without being in the wheel. When I mounted the wheel on the bike with the new bearings it spun just like it was on a balancer so I thought I may notice a difference then.

So After a short ride I must say I'm pleasantly surprised, it was smoother and seemed more solid and connected to the road. I will try it more on Saturday and report back.

[Smithim]

An interesting upgrade. Can you elaborate more on the smoother feeling?

Also, where'd you get the bearings in case any of us want to do the same?

[Robert]

Sorry I haven't updated this to answer your question but its been raining here and I have not really gotten out to check my initial findings. Wanted to make sure that this as not a case of new tire syndrome. I did manage to take a short ride just to see if my initials were correct and I have to say they were. It was as if there was a bad bearing on the front. That is the only way I can really describe the difference. When I would make a sharp turn I got what I thought was tire noise, but I actually think it was bearing noise. With the new bearings I did not get that noise and yet when I pulled them out they checked out OK. The feeling is much smoother, a more positive feel on turns and no noise. You feel like the bike is more connected to your inputs.

MR6004C-VV/C3 #5 EP2 EMQ
20 x 42 x 12 Millimeters
https://www.bocabearings.com/products/mr6004c-vv-c3-5-ep2-emq-20970

BOCA BEARING COMPANY
Toll free phone: (800) 332-3256

[bscrive]

I have a buzzing sound coming from the front of my bike when I am at highway speeds.  I wonder if it is the bearings.

Robert, did you have any sounds coming from the front before you changed the bearings?

[Robert]

Yes but only on turns, but it was pretty noticeable that is what started to make me think. looking back even straight ahead it was still not as smooth as it was now. It was funny, I read a post here where someone had an issue that the dealer replaced the front bearing being bad. I thought to myself no, that couldn't be right, but after changing to this bearing I'm not so sure anymore that the culprit may have been a bad bearing.

When I removed the bearing it didn't show any signs of being bad and was going to save them but at this point they go in the garbage. I just drove the bike to work this morning since it stopped raining long enough to get there, and its no mistake the bike feels like a favorite shoe when you put it on. Smoother and just comfortable. Now I am not sure with what you have asked if the change is due from the ceramic being that much better or that the bearing was bad at this point. I can say this though there is a definite change.

I question if the bearing only exhibits a problem under load and not while checking. The bearings in the front of this bike are not that big but I don't think that any motorcycle has much bigger bearings. Of course while I had it apart I looked at the space they fit in and thought you could do a double row bearing and cut the spacer a bit, a project for another day possibly. But before I took the wheel off the bike I did spin the wheel, it spun freely but not anywhere near how the ceramic spun though. So until someone else tries it I wont know for sure all I can say I'm glad I did it.  

[Kidd]

I have a awful noise from the front tire when I lean   always figured it was  noise from side of tire and I still do believe so

[bscrive]

I have a awful noise from the front tire when I lean   always figured it was  noise from side of tire and I still do believe so

It could be from my front tire.  I did just put on a new one before the riding season.

[Robert]

I have a awful noise from the front tire when I lean   always figured it was  noise from side of tire and I still do believe so

Yup that's what I thought also but now no noise.

[Kidd]

I have a awful noise from the front tire when I lean   always figured it was  noise from side of tire and I still do believe so

It could be from my front tire.  I did just put on a new one before the riding season.

Well , I wil consider changing out  bearings

[Robert]

Wait till I have more road time on the bike and can respond back after a good test since its been raining here and have not gotten to ride to far. I also have the same tire noise on my 1500 so like I said I dont know for sure the noise is gone or if the bearings being ceramic did the trick or not yet. To really hear the tire noise need to be doing some speed leaning in a wide turn.

[bscrive]

We will be waiting for your report Robert.   

[Kidd]

The noise I hear is from front tire , hard to believe it's from a bearing

[Robert]

Well I got some riding time in last night and no noise out of the front end that I thought was tire noise. Now I don't know if that is because the bearings were bad or the ceramic are that good. I can tell you its a definite difference and would do this again. My previous comments hold as to the difference though.