Abstract: A bearing assembly for a downhole mud motor has a transitional radial support in the form of a transitionally tapered bearing mandrel. The new radial support includes a generally cylindrical bearing housing having an upper end facing upstream in the direction of the drill string and a lower end, an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface, and wherein a portion of the inner cylindrical surface surrounds and contains a plurality of axial bearings. The bearing mandrel underlies the bearing housing and has an outer surface which defines a lower bearing region. The lower bearing region including a series of stepped outer diameter regions that also define a transitional reduction in cross-section area for the lower bearing region of the mandrel which, in turn, allows the bearing mandrel to have a progressive reduction in bending strength and to become a more active element in bending strength of the mud motor, instead of relying primarily upon the bearing housing.