Sealed wheel bearings

[barny7655]

ive service cars made in korea, and 4wds, as well find that the bearings were great , they had the name  korea on them , found them one of the best as to wear,  and appearance ,colour, as i repack them alot on service , front  wheels , im not sure who made the bearings , but had  korea on them ,  not saying they are the same maker as some HD,but if they were id bye them , not a problem ,cheers barny

[mattVA]

Thanks guys. I found this describing the RD type bearings as I've never heard of them:

http://www.koyousa.com/brochures/pdfs/cat251ex.pdf

It seems the low torque means they roll easier. Seems to be the case just rolling it with my finger. Timken's site mentions low torque are better for gas mileage:

http://www.timken.com/en-US/products/bearings/productlist/highperformance/pages/lowtorque.aspx

I love learning about this kind of stuff.

[Sonny S.]

KML = Chinese.
yes ?

[mattVA]

KML = Chinese.
yes ?

Yes. All Balls designs and distributes them, KML manufactures. I don't care where they come from if they're made properly. Still researching a little before that judgement passes though. People either love or hate these and hard to separate out if problems with any bearing are from improper installation, spacer length, etc.

[stro1965]

I pulled front and rear wheels today and the stock bearings still look good.  What I thought was grease from the front bearings looked to actually be excess anti-seize from the axle.  Didn't replace them after all!

[mattVA]

I pulled front and rear wheels today and the stock bearings still look good.  What I thought was grease from the front bearings looked to actually be excess anti-seize from the axle.  Didn't replace them after all!

Year bike and how many miles? Mine seem okay after my 700mi trip. Lots of 80mph hours on the highway. At 18k now keeping an eye on them.

[stro1965]

I pulled front and rear wheels today and the stock bearings still look good.  What I thought was grease from the front bearings looked to actually be excess anti-seize from the axle.  Didn't replace them after all!

Year bike and how many miles? Mine seem okay after my 700mi trip. Lots of 80mph hours on the highway. At 18k now keeping an eye on them.

2011 Ultra with 16K on it.

[Sonny S.]

KML = Chinese.
yes ?

Yes. All Balls designs and distributes them, KML manufactures. I don't care where they come from if they're made properly. Still researching a little before that judgement passes though. People either love or hate these and hard to separate out if problems with any bearing are from improper installation, spacer length, etc.

I work in Industrial Maintenance. I have reason to pass judgement on Chinese bearings.
They suck ! 
We only have 2 wheels.... I prefer mine to spin even if it cost a few $$$.

[mattVA]

KML = Chinese.
yes ?

Yes. All Balls designs and distributes them, KML manufactures. I don't care where they come from if they're made properly. Still researching a little before that judgement passes though. People either love or hate these and hard to separate out if problems with any bearing are from improper installation, spacer length, etc.

I work in Industrial Maintenance. I have reason to pass judgement on Chinese bearings.
They suck ! 
We only have 2 wheels.... I prefer mine to spin even if it cost a few $$$.

I agree on the $$$. On paper these All Balls KML bearings look good, in hand they look good. But I'm no metallurgist and I don't know the quality of materials. I do know that these suppliers have to pass testing. I guess my point was how do I know these aren't the best bearings out there and because they're Chinese I'd find something else? I want the best product, regardless of where it came from, because it's for my wheels. For all I know they will all perform the same given proper installation and that they're designed to handle higher loads than seen on a motorcycle. 

The real problem is no one truly knows who makes the best. .even the big suppliers manufacture all over the globe. In hand to someone inexperienced like me they all look and feel the same. Maybe if we had some sent out for testing?

I only have $25 in these and probably won't need to install them soon. If I see something better with some sort of proof I'll go get those instead.

[Admiral Akbar]

I think the problem with Sonnies Chinese bearing is that he needs to stop buying them in bulk from Alibaba..    Max

[Sonny S.]

Alibaba has everything !!! Lol