So I was up at the dealer as the back wheel bearing on my bike collapsed. He said he can change it out with a new 'stronger' bearing that Buell have got now.... How long are these expected to last? An end to the 'they all do that sir?'

Reckon they're talking bullshit ie. there's no such 'new' bearing available.
I'm waiting on the results of a bulletin search for anything that may have been announced in the last 7 days but there's certainly nothing prior to that.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Right then, I can confirm that there are no 'new, stronger' wheel bearings available from Buell.
Maybe EHDB would like to provide a copy of the bulletin/revised part number ?

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

As Maz suggested, I strongly suspect the dealer is talking shite. He's probably confused with the old 'black seal' bearing upgrade .......... but that was fekin years ago Does your dealer actually know anything about the product he was extremely happy to take your money for?

Ask your dealer for evidence, I'd be interested in the reply Who is your dealer btw?

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

It's Edinburgh HD
I'll ask when I go to pick it up. They're doing the fronts too, as a precaution.

Original failed after 2,300 miles.

I had to replace them on my 1125 at similar mileage. Only noticed it when the wheels were off the bike.

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

I noticed it when there was a big bang, and when stopping noticed the belt was coming off the pulley teeth and you could move the wheel side to side by hand. Luckily it happened about 3/4 mile from the dealer.

2300 mile is pretty ridiculous too. I use my bike but I don't abuse - no racing, wheelies, burnouts etc - I just ride around town and the countryside.

has anyone removed and refitted the wheel in the past

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

Probably... but not while I've had it.

It was one of the Buell Experience bikes. There are quite a few chips on the wheel rim where someone has been hamfisted changing the tyre...

Hmmmm................sounds like some 'factory trained' spannering. Perhaps a long bar was used instead of a torque wrench

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

Has it got a Free Spirits tensioner fitted?
If not fit one and you should get more mileage out of your bearing and it should make the gearbox one last a bit longer as well.
Not sure if I have asked you before but where do you stay in Edinburgh?
I'm just up from Portobello.

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Norrie.

And if so, when they refit these stronger bearings, get them to replace the spacer tube too...

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08 Specialized Langster

No, I've not got one of them on it yet. I do plan to, but I'm at the poorer end of the spectrum (i.e. on the dole) so haven't got the cash together for one yet. It is near the top of the list though.

I live on Nicolson Street, near the bridges. We should see about going out for a ride sometime? The road down from Seton Sands to Gullane and North Berwick si good for a wee blast. Very twisty.

Yeah that would be cool.
I go out most Sundays unless I'm away for the weekend.
Ali (Bali) on the forum has been out a few times with us.
If you are intrested PM me your phone number and we can arrange something.
There's also a Scottish meet in about 5 weeks time at the Green Welly stop in Tyndrum you should come along.
In fact get yourself down to Lincolnshire in 4 weeks time for the Main Buell meet.
It's a great weekend and you'll never see so many Buells in the one place.
There was over 100 there last year.

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Norrie.

That is the most serious bearing failure I have ever heard about

Slightly disappointing that the bearings wear quickly on the 1125 as well, I always suspected the "hammering" of the Sportster engine would eat into the bearings, like my thumping Suzuki DR and XT600 used to do. And my M2, although not that badly.

I guess the only stronger bearings would be bigger ones, which would mean different rims? Or is that rim-brake putting more stress on the (front) bearings?
It's really odd, a friend on mine has an early Aprilia RSV with 22k, still on all original wheel-bearings except for the sprocket carrier one.