Are ceramic bearings better?

[Professor]

Do you think ceramic bearings have less rolling resistance? Do you think you can see the difference?

 

[Gixx1300R]

Yes and Yes

 

[Professor]

I was pretty surprised about the difference

Here is a video I took. Click to save/view

First wheel is oem
Second is a Marvic with ceramic bearings and wave rotors. Almost 4 lbs lighter.
Identical tires.
OEM has an advatage of a heavier wheel weight adding to the "flywheel effect"

check out the results.

 

[fsusux]

Wow!

 

[BusaCruise]

if you have the $$$ for it then by all means!

 

[Wheelie]

do they make your drag strip times faster? no



wee

 

[NINJA KILLER]

 

[Gixx1300R]

do they make your drag strip times faster?  no



wee

Yes by 2 through 3 tenths

 

[Wheelie]

do they make your drag strip times faster? no



wee

Yes by 2 through 3 tenths

I know some one that did a test on these with no gains in times. 3 tenths would be around a 20 hp gain.

wee

 

[djorgensen3]

What is the life expectancy of the ceramic wheel bearings?

 

[06BUSA]

I wouldn't expect 3 tenths. But 1 or 2 is still faster.

 

[Professor]

What is the life expectancy of the ceramic wheel bearings?

I've used them in race cars before and they lasted at least as good as standard bearings. I actually never had to change a set but changed very few in the same locations they were used.

 

[BA BUSA]

A bit pricey...but they are much better than the standard bearings

 

[Professor]

May sound crazy but, you can tell the difference rolling the bike by hand in the garage. I really don't think it is because my wallet is lighter but I could be wrong.

 

[el stumpo]

I'd like to see the same video, but with ceramic bearings and stock wheel rotors.

I'm sure there better, but the question is "Is it worth the additional cost for the additional benefit you get?".

The busa is tough to move around the garage, but for the price difference, I like the exercise :-)

 

[mikev7]

Why would stock rotors matter with no calipers?

 

[Professor]

Why would stock rotors matter with no calipers?

1/2 lb heavier. Like flywheel weight, harder to start spinning but harder to stop as well.

 

[Professor]

I'd like to see the same video, but with ceramic bearings and stock wheel rotors.

I'm sure there better, but the question is "Is it worth the additional cost for the additional benefit you get?".

It would spin longer than my light wieght wheels. I can fix you up. Call Dave @ world wide bearing and have him send me 2 ceramics for oem wheels and I'll do the rest.

Worth the price? I doubt it. I "might" try to go to the Texas mile in the fall. No doubt there is something to be gained there.

 

[markhurd101]

i would think that anything that would make the movement of rotational mass easier to move is a benefit!

 

[Professor]

Back to back on the dyno there was a 2hp gain swapping to the Marvic wheel with ceramic bearings. Tire weight the same but the wheel is lighter. How much was wheel and how much was bearing, I'm not sure.