Braided Hoses - are they worth it? ? ? + poll

[kart racer]

Just a quick question along with poll for easy reading of opinions.

Are braided hoses really worth the extra cash? Or is it a tart thing (which i ave been known for before)

Asking because i have been looking at them for NSR but wondered if i would really notice any improvement

matt
____________________
Winners never quit, and quitters never win

[G]

They can give definite advantages.
The size (or weight) of the bike doesn't really come into it.

Some people don't like the way you get more initial bite.
In general, you probably won't get more braking force. But you may find it more controllable and that you need less lever movement for the same amount of braking.

[Walloper]

I bought the HELL ones for the front. £45
Not got round to fitting them yet.
But I think the principle is sound.
Whether I will notice any real benefit???

Maybe just a little 'Bling Factor' for most.
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Trixie]

I swapped my standard lines out for braided stainless. The difference that the new lines made was great, it was good squeezing the brake lever in the knowledge that I would actually stop! There's no bling factor in it; it's pure safety on a bike with crap brakes or aged standard brake lines.
____________________
Dead nobodies in company cars...

[Rookie]

It's probably the best 'tart factor' accessory, if you want any part of your bike to be working to it's full potential it's the brakes, and braided hoses are an easy way to get them working well. But if you're short of cash, spend the money overhauling the calipers and replacing worn out pads instead, as the braided hoses won't be much use on knackered brakes.

[Trixie]

[feef]

braided hoses can make an appreciable difference to braking feel and effect.

However, make sure you get stainless-steel ends, and not the anodised aluminium alloy ones, as these can corrode and fail with obviously catastrophic consequences.

a
____________________
Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle
Windchill calculator - London Bike parking
Blog and stuff - PlentyMoreFish dating

[G]

Why not look at R6 calipers if you're going the second hand route?

These are definitely better than the standard TRX items and fit straight on; it's a popular conversion on the TRX.

[Trixie]

[Dazbo666]

I've been looking at getting braided hose when I change the pads on the GPZ. I may change the front disk out too cos of an advisory on last weeks MOT.

I'm not one for spending too much on "bling" etc so it's good to know from bikers with 1st hand experience that it's a job worth doing
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Whosthedaddy]

Had Goodridge hoses on both my bikes when I bought them so not sure what impact it had over the standard system. As people have already said, the theory of a better response may be why people buy them, but they do add the tart factor.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Walloper]

[feef]

[hmmmnz]

i would defently get them especially on the single disc bikes, a world of improvement on the gs
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Dazbo666]

[stinkwheel]

I can assure you they make a massive difference to the effectiveness of the brakes on a GPZ500. The best modification you will ever do to that bike .

[veeeffarr]

I'm tempted to get some for the GS as well.

Don't see the point of putting rock hard hydraulic fluid in it if there's a bendy rubber casing on the outside.

[Dazbo666]

[.....]

I've recently got HEL lines on my bike but am yet to test them to their full potential as I try to avoid heavy braking on the road. However, they do seem very good on first impressions and found myself stopping in shorter distances than I'd anticipated meaning they were working better than the standard lines that were on there before.

The real test will come next year when track day season starts

[mchaggis]

One question though - how much difference do you think it makes in that they're being bled properly and completely, with a complete change of fluid? That improvement in braking performance must create some amount of a false illusion.

The only machine I've had with braided brake hose was my VT500, on which the brakes were dreadfully poor. I think that was a feature of the brake design rather than the brake hoses though.

The biggest improvement in braking performance for a lot of riders can be had by learning to brake properly and not being scared to pull the lever progressively harder and harder as the weight shifts forwards.

On my GPZ, if you want to brake hard, you use the rear in addition to the front. It's a bit like the CG125, the back brake seems to be just as strong as the single disc front brake.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[G]

It depends the state they were in before.

Having ridden a bike with well serviced brakes before and after braided lines are added I could definitely tell the difference.

[Blau Zedong]

I'm not a fan of braided hoses, for me they give the brake a wooden feel. However they never deteriortate like rubber ones do. If I had the cash I'd always choose new genuine lines, but I don't, so braided steel are the best value solution. A braking system with a perfect rubber hose and all the fluid / seals / pads in good nick will have just as much power and more feel than the same setup with braided steel, but 5 or 10 years down the line the situation might be very different.
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Wooly R6]

i got some hel lines off ebay - never really noticed any difference - but i like the fact that they aint rubber and they shouldnt perish, so are basically maintenance free apart from the odd fluid change
____________________
R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[irving]

[Walloper]

Has it not got something to do with the effective area of a tiny lever cylinder piston 'A' over the effective area of gigantic wheel caliper cylinder piston 'B'?

As you try to compress the fluid using A which pushes the fluid through the pipe against B the pipes receive the same pressure which they partially absorb by stretching/bulging.

Demonstrate a similar effect by turning on a garden hose with the end closed.
Turn off the tap.
Open the end.
You will get a skoot of water out the hose which was 'Stored' by expansion of the hose wall Just like a party balloon stores air under pressure.

By re-inforcing the pipes using a wrap of strong material (S/Steel Wire/Kevlar) you can limit the amount of bulge/give in the pipes between A and B.

This will present higher pressure at B for a smaller amount of 'work' from A.

More braking effect a little sooner with less lever travel.

****Mentoring hied aff****


What's the recommended lifespan of these 'Super Tubes'?

Anyone know?
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair