OEM Yammi bearings or aftermarket?

[racerrob]

Okay, for all who have done updates, replacements etc., what is the general feeling regarding bearing replacement such as driveline suspension componenents, non engine related etc.

A) Use ONLY OEM Yammie........???

B) Cross referance & use good brand name SKF or, alternative if less $$$??

C) Any good experience or thoughts out there??

Am going through entire driveline & while dismantled, will replace any suspect bearings & am curious what others have done. Not saying Yammi OEM is not worth the money, but sometimes ya can get an equal quality bearing for a few less $$ if not "stamped" as an OEM. Not impressed with local Yammi dealer so will either go to local bearing house or order bearings on line from
other Yammi dealer I get stuff from.

Rob

[Ike]

I went plan B last summer. Just replaced all the driveline and rear suspension bearings with quality non OEM stuff (SKF etc..)

Ike

[AL P]

Me too, aftermarket, if thats what ya wanna call um? I could be wrong, but I kinda doubt, yamaha has thier own line of bearings, when it comes to the suspension anyway? they probley just buy them in bulk from some of the large bearing suppliers?

P.S, I dont like my local yammie dealer at all!!

EDIT: on second thought, I would`nt doubt if they did have their own bearings, but would`nt think they`d be any better then some of the alternatives for less money..

[vmax4rules]

I take mine down to the local bearing supplier (Detroit Ball, Applied Industrial) and match them up, you will save some nice $$

[3ft]

I know the guy at the local yami shop and while ordering some other parts told him to toss in the speedo side drive axle bearing....went to pay for the stuff when it all came in...$40 for just that bearing....last time I do that. I would certainly go aftermarket. My.02

[Master of Faster]

I go with aftermarket stuff, there are a few select bearings on the newer sleds that are only available through Yamaha, but very few. Yamaha just buys bearings from a supplier,like NSK, if you look at the seals it will say right on them and it will also have the number you need to buy the bearing, the manufacturers use the same #'s to identify bearings, for example a 6205 is the bearing used in the idler wheels on the newer Yamahas, and you can just purchase a 6205 from any supplier and it will be correct.

[AL P]

I take mine down to the local bearing supplier (Detroit Ball, Applied Industrial) and match them up, you will save some nice $$
thats the same place I use down here rules! cool..
I`ve got found good deals on ebay and seen some good prices on places I`ve found on the net, but in the end, I usually would end up paying about the same, by the time I sent out a M/O, and payed for shipping..

[Master of Faster]

I've been buying from eBay. I usually buy them 10 at a time and they average less than $2 a bearing even after shipping, seem to be nice bearings too, only problem is you gotta order ahead of time.

[JERSEYJOE]

I agree with alot of this and have been buying 6205 bearings in bulk for years. Talking to my bearing manufacturer, there are different grades of steel used in different manufacturer's bearings. I have replace all the idler bearings in several sleds in the beginning of the season. It's funny how at the end of the season some bearings are like the day they were but in others are shot. Sure different locations have different loads to a degree, but I have always thought that there could be differences in the material. I also have found that when I replace a NEW idler wheel and bearing from Yamaha, the bearing seems to last longer. Who know!

Sometimes there are unique bearings that can't be crossed over. Honda is fanous for this and you have to go to them. The Yamaha left drive axle bearing is unique like this, and yes it's expensive.

[AL P]

Sometimes there are unique bearings that can't be crossed over. Honda is fanous for this and you have to go to them. The Yamaha left drive axle bearing is unique like this, and yes it's expensive.
joe, as in the speedo side? if so, they make after market ones..
http://vmax4.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2625&highlight=speedo+side+bearing
or are you talking about a differant bearing?

AL

[Master of Faster]

Yeah I've never paid too much attention to what matierials were used in the bearings but my personal experience with the Yamaha bearings is not so hot, I've had better luck with the aftermarket ones actually.

[JERSEYJOE]

Yes Al I was talking about the one behind the speedo. If I am not mistaken the aftermarket one is a little different in that it uses an eccentric locking collar while the factory one is one piece with 2 torx set screws. I could be wrong or confused with the SRX setuo since I just did one and used the factory bearing

[vmax4rules]

Jersey, the one you are thinking of is for the SRX/SX (even though I picked that bearing up A/M as well)

[JERSEYJOE]

REALLY WHERE!!!!!!!!!! Let me know because I always keep one or two at the garage and I am tires of paying YAMAHA price for them. Funny how my SRX needs one every year while the Viper has the OEM bearing in it for 7000 miles now.

[vmax4rules]

Applied Industrial (which use to be Detroit Ball) I took mine down to them and they matched it up, even had it in stock.