Best Wheel Bearings for Motorcycle

How to choose a motorcycle wheel bearing kit

Buy by exact bike, year and wheel

Wheel bearing kits are vehicle-specific. A front kit for a Honda CRF450R is not a front kit for a Yamaha YZ250, and a front kit is not a rear kit. RevZilla lists every All Balls kit with its exact fitment, and its pages warn that the product is vehicle-specific. Use your bike’s year, make, model and wheel position, and confirm the part number on the retailer’s fitment checker before you order.

What a kit should contain

A proper kit contains all of the bearings and seals required to rebuild one wheel. All Balls kits include high-speed bearings manufactured to ABEC-3 precision levels and double-lip TC nitrile seals with stainless steel garter springs, which keep water and dirt out and grease in. If a listing sells a single bearing without seals, it is not a kit: buy the kit.

ABEC-3: what it means

ABEC-3 is a precision grade for the bearing’s manufacturing tolerances. All Balls states its wheel bearings are manufactured to ABEC-3 precision levels. That is the maker’s published grade, and it is the figure to compare when you cross-shop brands. Do not accept a kit that publishes no precision grade at all.

Why bearings fail

Wheel bearings typically fail from water and dirt contamination. Pressure washers aimed at the hub, river crossings, and road salt all push contamination past the seals. Once dirt is inside, the bearing wears quickly and the wheel develops play. The seal is as important as the bearing: the TC double-lip seal is what keeps the contamination out in the first place.

Front vs rear

Front and rear wheels take different kits, and the rear kit usually has to cope with more load and with chain or belt forces. Buy the kit for the wheel you are rebuilding, and rebuild both wheels if the bike is high-mileage: a rear bearing that is worn will not be far behind a worn front bearing, and the labour overlaps.

OEM vs aftermarket

All Balls positions its kits as excellent OEM replacements at a fraction of the price. That is the maker’s claim, and it matches how the kits are sold: same dimensions, same seals, lower cost. If your bike is under warranty, check whether aftermarket bearings affect it before you buy.

Kits by bike type

Detailed reviews: the kits

Each kit below is a real All Balls Racing product with a published part number and fitment. Only the 25-1691 carries a verified Amazon listing from this research pass; the others carry no buy button.

All Balls Racing 25-1081 — Front, Honda / KTM 125–625 cc

Why the 25-1081 is our pick

The 25-1081 is the widest-fit front kit in this guide: Honda CR125R, CR250R, CR500R, CRF250R, CRF250RX, CRF450R and CRF450R-S, plus KTM 125 through 625 cc models, spanning 1995 to 2022. One part number covers two decades of motocross and enduro bikes. It includes all bearings and seals required for a complete front wheel rebuild, with high-speed ABEC-3 bearings and TC seals.

All Balls 25-1081 key specs

• Part number: 25-1081
• Position: Front
• Fitment: Honda CR125R 1995–2007, CR250R 1995–2007, CR500R 1995–2001, CRF250R 2004–2020, CRF250RX 2019–2020, CRF450R 2002–2020, CRF450R-S 2022; KTM 125–625 cc
• Bearings: High-speed, ABEC-3 precision
• Seals: Type TC nitrile elastomer, double lip
• Contents: All bearings and seals for a complete rebuild
• Source: RevZilla listing

All Balls 25-1081: fits and best for

Best for motocross and enduro riders who want one kit that covers a long list of Honda and KTM bikes. Check the exact model list on the retailer’s page: the range is wide, but it is not universal.

All Balls 25-1081 pros and watch-outs

All Balls 25-1081: who should not buy

Do not buy it for a Yamaha, Kawasaki or Suzuki. The 25-1081 is a Honda and KTM kit, and other brands take different part numbers.

Tip: check the fitment list twice. A CRF250R and a CRF250X are different bikes and take different kits.

All Balls Racing 25-1691 — Front, Harley-Davidson touring

Why the 25-1691 is our pick

The 25-1691 is the Harley-Davidson touring kit, covering Road King, Road Glide Ultra, Dyna Switchback and Police Road King models from 2008 to 2017, including CVO bikes. It is the only kit in this guide with a verified Amazon listing, and it is the kit for the heaviest bikes here: a touring Harley loads its front bearing far harder than a dirt bike does.

All Balls 25-1691 key specs

• Part number: 25-1691
• Position: Front
• Fitment: Harley FLHTK CVO 2008–2017, FLHR Road King 2008–2017, FLHRC Road King Classic 2008–2017, FLD Dyna Switchback 2012–2016, FLHP Police Road King 2011–2014, and related models
• Bearings: High-speed, ABEC-3 precision
• Seals: Type TC nitrile elastomer, double lip
• Contents: All bearings and seals for a complete rebuild
• Amazon ASIN: B01BGU7WOY

All Balls 25-1691: fits and best for

Best for Harley touring owners doing a front wheel service. Confirm your exact model and year against the fitment list: CVO and Police variants are listed separately for a reason.

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Tip: replace the seals with the bearings, even if the old seals look fine. A tired seal is how the next bearing dies.

All Balls Racing 25-1285 — Rear wheel bearing kit

Why the 25-1285 is our pick

The 25-1285 is the rear-wheel kit in this guide, built on the same formula as the front kits: high-speed ABEC-3 bearings developed in partnership with KML Bearing, with TC nitrile seals designed to keep out water and dirt. Rear bearings work harder than front bearings, so the seal quality matters more here, not less.

All Balls 25-1285 key specs

• Part number: 25-1285
• Position: Rear
• Bearings: High-speed, ABEC-3 precision
• Seals: Type TC nitrile elastomer, double lip
• Contents: All bearings and seals for a complete rebuild
• Source: RevZilla listing

All Balls 25-1285: who should not buy

Do not buy a rear kit for a front wheel, or a front kit for a rear wheel. The kits are position-specific, and the part numbers are different for a reason.

All Balls Racing 25-1521 and 25-1600 — Trail and late-model kits

Why these kits are our pick

The 25-1521 is the front kit for Honda CRF250X and CRF450X trail bikes from 2004 to 2015, and the 25-1600 is a rear kit listed for late-model bikes up to 2026. Together they show the range’s spread: from twenty-year-old trail bikes to current models, the same kit formula applies.

All Balls 25-1521 / 25-1600 key specs

• 25-1521 fitment: Honda CRF250X 2004–2015, CRF450X 2005–2015
• 25-1600 fitment: Late models to 2026 (confirm on the retailer page)
• Bearings: High-speed, ABEC-3 precision
• Seals: Type TC nitrile elastomer, double lip
• Contents: All bearings and seals for a complete rebuild

All Balls 25-1521 / 25-1600: who should not buy

Do not buy either kit without confirming your exact model on the retailer’s fitment checker. The 25-1600 in particular spans many models, and the listing is the authority.

Other kits worth knowing

Four more part numbers round out the range. The 25-1069 is a front kit for Honda 230–600 cc bikes from 1981 to 2009. The 25-1054 is a front kit for Yamaha YZ125, YZ250 and WR250 models from 1992 to 1997. The 25-1444 is a front kit for Kawasaki and Yamaha 125–650 cc bikes from 1983 to 2027. The 25-1165 is a front kit for Kawasaki and Suzuki 60–110 cc bikes, including the KLX110. The 25-1523 is a front kit listed on RevZilla, and the 25-1661 is a front kit for Husqvarna 250–450 cc bikes from 2011 to 2013 that was listed as out of stock at the time of checking — check availability before planning around it.

How to tell a bearing is worn

Jack the wheel off the ground and spin it: it should spin freely and quietly, with no grinding and no rough spots. Grab the wheel top and bottom and push and pull: any play means the bearing is worn. On the road, a worn bearing shows up as a wobble, a grinding or humming noise that changes with speed, or a wheel that feels notchy when you turn it by hand. Any of these means stop riding and inspect. A seized bearing can lock the wheel, and that is a crash, not an inconvenience.

Installation basics

Remove the wheel, pull the old bearings with a proper puller, and clean the hub bore before fitting the new ones. Drive the new bearings in square, pressing on the outer race only: pressing on the inner race damages the bearing before it has turned a mile. Fit new seals with the lip facing the right way, pack the seals lightly with grease, and torque the axle to the manual figure. Spin the wheel by hand before you ride: it should turn freely with no play and no noise.

Safety essentials

Troubleshooting

Who should NOT buy these

Riders who will not check fitment: these kits are vehicle-specific. If you order by brand name alone, you will order the wrong kit.

Buyers who want a single bearing: a kit is the right buy. A single bearing without new seals leaves the contamination path open.

Riders who will keep riding on a bad bearing: no bearing, however good, is safe to ride on once it has play. Replace it first.

Final verdict

Buy by exact bike, year and wheel position. The All Balls Racing kits are the default buy for most riders: ABEC-3 bearings, TC seals, and everything needed for one wheel in the box. The 25-1081 covers the widest range of Honda and KTM dirt bikes, the 25-1691 covers Harley touring models and is the only kit here with a verified Amazon listing, and the 25-1285, 25-1521 and 25-1600 cover the rear and trail-bike jobs. Confirm the part number on the retailer’s fitment checker before you order.

FAQ

How do I know my wheel bearings are worn?

Jack the wheel up and spin it: it should turn freely and quietly. Grab the wheel top and bottom and push and pull: any play means the bearing is worn. A wobble or grinding noise on the road is the same diagnosis.

Do I need a kit or just a bearing?

Buy the kit. It contains all bearings and seals for one wheel, and the seals are as important as the bearings: they keep water and dirt out.

What does ABEC-3 mean?

It is a precision grade for the bearing’s manufacturing tolerances. All Balls states its wheel bearings are manufactured to ABEC-3 precision levels.

Can I ride with a worn wheel bearing?

No. A worn bearing can seize and lock the wheel. Replace it before you ride again.

Are All Balls kits the same as OEM?

All Balls positions them as excellent OEM replacements at a fraction of the price. They match the OEM dimensions and seal type, and the kits are sold by exact bike fitment.

Why do wheel bearings fail?

Usually water and dirt contamination: pressure washers, river crossings and road salt push dirt past the seals. Once dirt is inside, the bearing wears quickly.

Should I replace both wheels at once?

On a high-mileage bike, yes. If one wheel’s bearings are worn, the other wheel’s are usually not far behind, and the labour overlaps.

Why does only one kit have a buy button?

Only the All Balls 25-1691 had a verified Amazon listing confirmed in this research pass. The other kits are real products with real part numbers, but their Amazon listings were not verified here, so they carry no button rather than a guessed link.

Sources & changelog

Retailer sources: RevZilla All Balls 25-1081 front kit; RevZilla All Balls 25-1285 rear kit; RevZilla All Balls 25-1521 front kit; RevZilla All Balls 25-1600 rear kit; PriceHistory All Balls 25-1691 Amazon listing (ASIN B01BGU7WOY); Manuals.plus All Balls 25-1730 manual (ABEC-3, TC seals, 1-year warranty).

Changelog — November 5, 2026: guide first published.