Ceramic wheel bearings

[Nismo400rgtr]

Just wondering if anyone on here has them(stock or aftermarket wheels)? Where'd you get em from? What are your opinions?

[081000RR]

Originally Posted by Nismo400rgtr

Just wondering if anyone on here has them(stock or aftermarket wheels)? Where'd you get em from? What are your opinions?

I just got mine today. Ordered for worldwidebearings. Putting them in my stock wheels. Not sure what a difference they might make on the road but since I have the rims off and waiting for a tire delivery I said what the hell and ordered them.
5 bearings $410 shipped.

[V8M3]

Improved acceleration, corrosion resistance and possibly longer life. I have them in my BSTs and honestly I would not know the difference since the bike is already scary fast. But, I would imagine, as an every day user... if you are in wet weather or use a pressure washer, you could avoid some corrosion of the steel bearings?

[081000RR]

We put the bearings in today. I'm very impressed. Hold the front rim up with one finger on each side using a small fan set on low, the rims would start to spin, I was like WTF!! And putting them on a stand with the axle was very amazing, they just kept on spinning.
And World Wide Bearings customer service is no joke. They sent me one wrong rear rim bearing. I called them and they mail the right one out next-day mail.

[Nismo400rgtr]

Originally Posted by 081000RR

We put the bearings in today. I'm very impressed. Hold the front rim up with one finger on each side using a small fan set on low, the rims would start to spin, I was like WTF!! And putting them on a stand with the axle was very amazing, they just kept on spinning.
And World Wide Bearings customer service is no joke. They sent me one wrong rear rim bearing. I called them and they mail the right one out next-day mail.

Nice!! These are definitely my future. Maybe even for my next tire swap

[yzfr1mike]

I recently put the BST wheels on my bike with the ceramic bearings. I can't really say if they helped because I installed the wheels with them already installed. I can convey some information on these bearings, though. They are made with ceramic bearing balls running on bearing grade (Hard) steels. I did not want anyone to have the impression that these bearings are impervious to high pressure water sprays. They are not, and will be damaged by the spray by forcing the grease out of the bearings, and the races will be subject to rust and corrosion when the grease is washed out..

The advantages of these bearings are the following:

1. lighter ceramic balls are more easily accelerated, causing more effective power transmission to the ground.
2. The ceramic is not subject to rust and corrosion.
3. The coefficient of friction between the ceramic balls and the steel races is slightly lower than with a fully steel bearing.
4. The internal tolerances of the bearings are held to a higher level than a normal steel bearing, further reducing drag and friction in the bearing itself.
5. The cage material separating the balls from each other is constructed of lighter materials, like glass reinforced plastic.
6. Longer expected life than a normal bearing is due to the different materials of the balls and races, the strength of the ceramic material, and the higher standards of manufacture and quality control.

These bearings are manufactured to the highest quality control standards,, which, with the above considerations is why they cost so much.

How much difference do they make? I don't know exactly because I have not tested the before and after difference on a dyno. I expect the difference in the power at the rear wheel will be hard to quantify because I think the change will likely be inside the range of variation on the dyno itself.

I do think they help, but it is doubtful if the addition of these to your wheels by them selves will make you conquer your greatest rival in a side by side race. (Of course we wouldn't do this on the street, would we?) The use of these bearings is considered to be one more step in the journey to perfection and ultimate power for competition.

I ordered them on my wheels because I was already spending $4000, and the difference in cost was not an issue, at least compared to the cost of the other mods.

Mike

[scott]

On the S 1000 RR there was only a 1 hp increase shown on the dyno with the World Wide ceramics, due to the high quality bearings used by BMW. However, the acceleration time of a fourth gear dyno pull was 0.1 seconds faster, that equates to about a bike length in the quarter mile.
The ceramics bearings are a must for obtaining the ultimate performance from your bike.
You should notice the difference pushing your bike out of the garage after installing them, there is that much reduction in friction. Plus they are 40 to 60% lighter than steel bearings.

[Samsons Revenge]

I bought my ceramics from World Wide also, and installed them in my BST wheels. I was blown away with how easy it was to push the bike around in my garage and how easy the rear wheel spins.

They are basically the same as stock bearings in that they have steel inner and outer races. Its the balls that are ceramic, and since they are, they use lighter aerospace grease and thus the reduced friction.

I have had mine in now for 4000+ miles with 0 issues.

I paid about 400+ for mine and if had to do it over again, YES I would.

Kind of an exotic mod that not everyone else has done.

[Nismo400rgtr]

Good info gentleman!!!

Brock's sells them too. I wonder where they get them from?

[demon]

dont need them !!
If you feel you aint going fast enough, twist the throttle more !
Id rather spend my money on fuel or taking track training, much more beneficial than ceramic bearings.