Did a trip last week and near home my 2011 deluxe got a terrible shudder up. Of course I didn't go home and get the trailer I just rode it home.Pulled the back wheel out and there was nothing left of the drive side bearing. Long story but had a local guy put new bearings in but neither of us realised the fight side bearing is different cos of abs. Had to get genuine. Back tyre was getting near the end so I took it to Peter Stevens for an abs bearing and new tyre. They came to me while I was waiting and said the bearing I fitted on the drive side was poor quality,which I doubt but gave them the ok to fit a new hd one.They then came out and said the drive side bearing wasn't going in tight and they could put it in with bearing retainer but couldn't guarantee it. So I have sought advice on this stuff and have been told it's fine and I won't have any worries. When my guy put the first lot of bearings in he did a wheel alignment and now the bike is perfect. Rides like new. What's the general opinion on bearing retainers. They used Wurth,which I'm told is very good. The only other way out is a new wheel. Can't buy a hub.New smooth rim is $900. I understand Peter Stevens are covering their arse but I don't want to go any further if I don't have to. I understand that I was dumb riding it home so I'm not blaming anyone. Anyhow. Will the bearing retainer hold?  Cheers. PS. Nobody can explain why the bearing failed other than a bad batch of bearings at that time. So if you have a 2011 Softail. Replace your bearings with your next rear tyre. They're pretty cheap 

Pretty common I'm afraid, a mate had to replace his whole back wheel on his wideglide last year at the dealers cost $2200nz he noticed a slight wooble and rode it until it totally collapsed, on my wideglide front failed at 14000k's and rear's were replaced at 25000k's, personally I think every second tyre change may be a good idea, I suppose the M8's are the same?

Rode for 100 is with the non abs bearing but had a spacer in so no issue. The issue I have is PS took out the new bearing that my mate had installed on the drive side cos they said it was poor quality. That's bullshit. He had it in there nice and tight and they took it out and they then tell me it's no good. My info from people I have asked is that the bearing retainer will hold no worries,so I am just gonna keep riding. Will check it in about 5000 kms. I will replace the front bearings when I do a front tyre next.Funny that PS insisted on fitting Harley bearings when they are what failed. Interesting to hear it's a common problem. They certainly didn't tell me that.