I have an '05 Vee-Strom with 12,000 mile on the odometer. By June when we leave for our Alaska trip, I expect to have about 15,000 on the bike. Are the original wheel bearings good for an additional 10,000 miles (25,000 total) on this trip or should they be repalced prior to the trip?

Thanks in advance.

Ron,

It all depends on how the bike has been ridden the previous 12,000 miles...eg, wet, dirt, etc...

The bearings on these bikes are only sealed on one side...the other side is just grease and a metal plate...not an actual rubber seal.

I would replace them before heading to Alaska, yes, if nothing else...for piece of mind.

The AllBalls Bearing kit the AdventureMotoStuff sells come complete with all seals and bearing(5) and will most likely never need replaced again due to the fact that they are a completely sealed design.

Not hard to replace...and not expensive.

Just my thoughts.

BTD.

http://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/...00_maintenance

http://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/...00_maintenance

BTD.

i got 62k+ on my strom before replacing rear inter wheel bearings. they were shot. i'm still runing original frt. w/bearings.

Wheel bearings should be extremely unlikely to fail at those milages. I'd be more concerned with chain, sprockets, brakes, tires, air filter, plugs, really a host of things before I got to wheel bearings.

__________________


2012 CBR250R Tricolor

I take about 10 extra minutes to force new grease into the bearings with every tire change. The old grease coming out is always black. Don't know if this is gonna extend the life or not, but it shouldn't hurt. We'll see.

BTD...thanks for posting those links.

I'll be picking up the F&R's to install during my upcoming tire replacement.

How are their tapered stem bearings?? Are those the ones people are using or do they source them from somewhere else?

At 30,000 miles I'm looking at routine r/r...

__________________
DonStrom6 - PHL
comfortably numb

DL1000K5 - Black and a Blast!
DL650K8 - Yellow Sold

If you haven't used a pressure washer to clean the bikes lower regions, the bearings should be fine. If you've been using a pressure washer in the wheel bearing area, expect the bearings to have suffered, and they likely will fail early. Best not to use a pressure washer.

__________________
V-Strom 1000 k8 GT - Now Gone! But 2012 Burgman 400z ABS now in service...

If "I" were heading to Alaska.........they would be changed. Upgrade them once and be done with it probably for good.

__________________
BRIAN

2008 WR250R 2008 CONCOURS 1400 "Dearly departed 2005 DL1000"

I just had the front wheel bearings on my 04 Wee replaced at 23,818 miles. There was some grinding noises and a rough feeling that didn't make me too happy.

The mechanic showed me how bad the old bearings were and mentioned that Suzuki was the only manufacturer that didn't seal them on both sides. I didn't note the brand of bearings he used to replace them but they were indeed sealed on both sides.

__________________
Black 04 Wee with H&B engine guards, SV Racing Frame and Swing Arm sliders, Superbrace, Givi top case, gel grips