Front wheel bearings -local purchase

[jetmechmarty]

I need some front wheel bearings. I'd like to purchase them locally. I have a few auto parts stores in town. Can I procure them this way? Do I simply order part number 6303-2RS? Is that it? Is there a superior brand I need to ask for?

I'm sorry if this has been brought up 100 times, but I got sick of the search function.

[natemoen]

I need some front wheel bearings. I'd like to purchase them locally. I have a few auto parts stores in town. Can I procure them this way? Do I simply order part number 6303-2RS? Is that it? Is there a superior brand I need to ask for?

I'm sorry if this has been brought up 100 times, but I got sick of the search function.

Yeah, the bearings in the front wheel and the right rear are very common bearings. The number on the bearing is what they bearing place will match to make sure it is the same bearing. Just bring the bearing in and they can get it.

No particular brand but most places carry NSK bearings and it seems to be one of the better brands.

[crazy steve]

You may or may not have any luck at an auto-parts store; like Nate said, find the number on the bearing. That number will be the same no matter who makes the bearing. Brands? Timken and Kyoto are two of the major players besides NSK. You may have to go to a bearing supply house; I couldn't find any in Dahlonega, but there's 3-4 in nearby Gainsville... is that 'local' enough?

[natemoen]

I actually ordered those three wheel bearings off of amazon for I think $8 with free shipping last winter. But yeah I would agree with a bearing supply place over auto store.

[jetmechmarty]

Yes Steve, Gainesville is only 30 minutes away. Is the rear bearing the same as the front two? I have the unobtanium one, fresh from the UK. Thank you for the research.

[bikerphil]

The right rear wheel bearing is different than the front ones.

Right Rear Wheel Bearing - 6304 2RS 20X52X15 (Yam. # 93306-30404-06)

[jetmechmarty]

Right Phil. I forgot, 20 mm axle in back.

I quick search, and I find these bearings at less than $4 each, to over $30 each. I don't know much about bearing technology, so what's the difference? FWIW, I see Mike's XS has both the front and the rear at $11 each for made in Japan bearings.

[natemoen]

The expensive ones are not going to be any better than tge cheap ones. My bet is you found.that price at some motorcycle specific place that just price gouges

[jetmechmarty]

Nathan,

The expensive ones are at the local bearing supply house. Z1 Enterprises has them for $5.71 ea.

[crazy steve]

Weell, I wouldn't say there's no difference between a cheap bearing and an expensive one, unless it's simply mark-up on the same bearing. There definitely can be a quality difference, as I learned the hard way many years ago. But price isn't always a clear indicator either. I'll admit to being leery of no-name or unknown brands, preferring to stick with OEM brands or major manufacturers. Those I've never had problems with...

[bikerphil]

I've run into the same dilemma, my bearing supplier only carries the high quality bearings like Timkin which are big $. I ended up using the $10 mikesXS ones or even cheaper ones from eBay. No problems so far, time will tell.

[jetmechmarty]

The ones at Mike's XS are KOYO made in Japan. I just knocked a pair out of an old XS650 wheel, and they are also KOYO. I found OEM bearings on line for $13, but they're probably KOYO.

Z1 Enterprises does not list a brand. They're part number is AB6303-2RS if that tells anything.

[DGXSER]

I looked around and saw varying prices and brands. I liked the look of the All Balls brand and got those for the fronts on Banshee. Went in nicely and, so far, rides nice.

[bikerphil]

Z1 Enterprises does not list a brand. They're part number is AB6303-2RS if that tells anything.

The "AB" is probably for All Balls, they should be good quality.

[jetmechmarty]

OOPS! "Their" part number.