Broken my bike... (wheel bearing mebbe)

[Fiddlesticks]

A ten thousand mile R1300gs, out on a ride around Wales. Two up.
There's a bit of wobble from the front bars.
Now a squeak and a bit of grinding noise from the front end.
Pull over. Bike on centre stand. Can't see anything much wrong.
Hmm. The tank bag isn't properly clipped in. Cubby hole flap not shut. Maybe that's it.
Wife jumps on the back of mate's bike, just to be on the safe side.
We set off again, gingerly.
Noise subsides.
Wobble not so bad at lower speeds.
Feeling every knock through the bars now... Or is that my paranoia? It's a boxer engine, they do that.
On the way home there's still definitely a wobble. Wheel doesn't feel loose, but I'm wondering if it's a bearing gone.
Going to get it down to Williams when they can fit me in.

 

[DJ123]

Put the bike on the centre stand & retract the calliper pistons back slightly so pads/discs are not touching. Give the wheel a spin to see how much resistance there is, and if there are any noises.

If it feels/looks ok i'd be looking at your discs, and if the pad/discs are catching.

 

[cookie]

Stone in the caliper?

 

[tomtom1200]

If you can take the front wheel off and check the bearings. Mine were toasted at about 1k. Looked like factory installation error or part being bad. I went to a local garage and I wasn't the only one with the problem. If they are it's a cheap job to change them.

 

[squibb34]

We had a few similar reports on the early 1300s - what year is yours?

Thread 'R1300GS front wheel bearings'

Jun 2, 2025

Hi guys

over the last 1000 kms i have been feeling more and more "road feedback" in the steering

It feels as though i am riding over very big gravel and each piece sends its little pulse up the column into the steering

this afternoon i removed the calipers and spun the wheel - it made a bit of a grumbling noise ............. not good

removed the wheel and spun it with my fingers in the axle hole - yuk - felt like there was sand or something in there

the bike is just 11 months old so i put it back together and will contact the local dealer in the morning............

wheel bearings...

• digby
• Replies: 17
• Forum: 1300 GS

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Cheers all - it's a 73 reg. Will report back when I find out more, but this all sounds fairly familiar.

 

[Oldrat]

Bike on centre stand
Get someone to sit on rear, raising f/wheel off ground.

Hold bars at full lock
Grab wheel at 3 &9 o’clock positions
Trying to wobble the wheel.
Do same for 12/6 o'clock positions
If you find the wobble, apply front brake.
If it stops wobbling it’s wheel bearings, otherwise it’s steering linkage.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

As suspected. Small knock, just in one direction. Seems like a bearing issue from the above - and also not convinced it's that smooth turning.

 

[digby]

Same here - front bearings died after around 12000 kms

Just noisy in my case

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Quality not
Never replaced front wheel bearings on oilhead GS in 250,000 miles

 

[Fiddlesticks]

What's the trick to getting hold of someone from the dealership?

One live chat with an AI bot, four emails, three phone calls and almost a week later...

Do I gather a group of friends to hold hands around the table and start a seance?

 

[Santa-2512]

What's the trick to getting hold of someone from the dealership?

One live chat with an AI bot, four emails, three phone calls and almost a week later...

Do I gather a group of friends to hold hands around the table and start a seance?

Actually go in there in Person? it just might work

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Actually go in there in Person? it just might work

An hour away. Knackered wheel bearing.

 

[Gee-]

If convinced it is the wheel bearing, remove wheel or get assistance from a friend, take wheel via a friend, bus or taxi, to any close bike garage... 1 hour max to replace...or collect when jobs done.
Other option, get a mobile bike mechanic to change it. Good luck.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

If convinced it is the wheel bearing, remove wheel or get assistance from a friend, take wheel via a friend, bus or taxi, to any close bike garage... 1 hour max to replace...or collect when jobs done.
Other option, get a mobile bike mechanic to change it. Good luck.

Yep, it'll probably come to that.
Annoying when the bike's under warranty though.

 

[Gee-]

Yep, it'll probably come to that.
Annoying when the bike's under warranty though.

Oh warranty is a different point, a personal walk in visit is required with a stern look on your face to get it resolved for FOC., any messing go straight to the head honcho at dealership that sold it.

 

[Tyzer]

Call breakdown

 

[theoneandonly]

bike on c/stand , wheel off the ground , spin wheel , put hand on mudguard .
if they are gone ..../ you WILL feel it .

 

[Santa-2512]

An hour away. Knackered wheel bearing.

You've got to get it there to get it fixed

And you don't know if it's a knackered wheel bearing, you said so in your first post !!

 

[Martin GSA UK]

Press 1 for sales, that gets answered pretty quickly.