Brake fluid - cheap or branded?

[DrDonnyBrago]

Hi, is it worth paying the extra for branded brake fluid?


Looking at cheap stuff and pricey branded stuff, both Dot 4, they have the same boiling point (unless you buy an OTT 'race' spec fluid) and they meet the same standards.

Are there any noticeable differences between the two to warrant the extra money? (corrosion inhibitors, water absorption etc).

Cheers.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure there is any great difference between a basic branded fluid and a cheapo unbranded one. That is if the branded stuff is only just reaching the specifications.

But how much will you actually save? Not sure the difference would make it worthwhile (unless you are buying 5L cans to use as paint stripper).

You might be able to find a local trade supplier who will sell you a box of branded bottles for a reasonable price. Only trouble then is if you lose the box in the garage........

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Fairly certain viscosity is specified and colour certainly is (so the ATE stuff that is blue but otherwise the same as their normal stuff but which makes it easy to see whether you have flushed the new fluid through is probably not actually DOT compliant), but not sure what else beyond these basics

Personally, but a stock of small bottles so it is to hand when required (but then I am a hoarder).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Gazdaman]

I've always used Halfords own brand stuff and never had any issues at all.

Although their fork oil comes in a remarkably similar bottle. Which led to me and a mate on night bleeding his new braided hoses on his R6 with fork oil.

Gaz

[alun111]

I use the dot4 that wilkinsons sell. I think it's made buy comma. It's around £2.50 for a 500ml bottle.

Never had any problems.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[blurredman]

I wouldn't say walking 100 miles is very convenient
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[Bloggsy]

in cars and bikes i've always used carlube dot 4 £2 for 500ml in the range.

[Dazbo666]

branded or cheapo, doesn't make much difference to me tbh...
any "dot 4", as long as it's a fresh unopened bottle
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Oldie]

[jimspeed]

Any DOT 4 should comply with the same requirements really. With the rally cars I just use the cheap stuff we have at work and change it every rally due to the heat it is absorbing and never had a problem with it, I cant see a bike working that amount of heat into the fluid due to lots of factors so the cheap stuff should be good, as said just get a large bottle and renew it every 12 months etc due to moisture absorbtion
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
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