How long do rubber brake lines last in a VFR?

I just realized the abs brakes have like 13 rubber lines-that a hell of a lot of rubber. SS lines have to be really expensive. I wonder how good the stock ones are, to me they actually feel pretty good. I have put in new dot 4 fluid seem to help a lot. Any idea's as I am not that up to data on these fancy braking systems!:madgrin:

 

Some of the SS lines look like art work to me, abs vfr has so much fancy stuff on it all ready, I think it would look super sharp with fancy silver lines or perhaps mult color lines.

 

Its expensive as fak, there are pictures of fellows on here that did it, its a myriad of lines and chit. I would just ride it the way it is if it were me, and I love swapping chit oot too, but I can see a mine field when I see one. Cheers

 

Mine are 8 years and 110,000 miles old. When/if ì replace mine, it will be with braided lines. I am told by a few people whom I have lots of confidence in, that the braided lines are considerably better because they don't "balloon" when brakes activated, therefore brakes should be more responsive.

 

I also noticed that the clutch line too is rubber, so maybe 14 rubber lines in all that's a lot of places too leak. Its amazing that the rubber seems too work, so well. there is a huge amount of places to have a spongy effect- it looks like the abs really has its a lot of braking to figure out. It would be impossible to not lock up the wheels with rubber lines without abs. Getting a great shift would be much harder with a rubber line.:juggle::unsure:

 

You said it yourself, it works surprisingly well, because it's supposed to. Yes ss lines are better but Is the hassle and cost worth it to a sub standard rider? I say nay. Leave well enough alone and go take a race course. Btw the rubber will last a long time.

 

I believe that the Manufacturers say six years! Very conservative. I have a 1985 Interceptor with original lines on it. In fact, I have a 1977 Suzuki GT750 with stock rubber lines on it. Works just fine. That is pushing it though. I would say that by 20 years old, you could replace them. Also remember that "Braided steel" lines have a rubber line inside of the braid, so they probably won't last as long as the stock ones. If you do one or two lines a year, you won't incur a huge expense, all at once. Find someone in your area that "makes up" lines. It's usually the least expensive way. May be the only way to get such a complicated set up as well. Good luck!

 

They do make complete brake and clutch sets-around $300. A full set of ebc hh pads is around a $100-I would try that first, but I had another idea that would cost zero. Take the old pads off grease the pins to make sure they are working correctly. I was able to check the thickness by looking and all the pads have thousands of miles left. But simply greasing the pins would make the pads work better and also clean the calipers up some.:clock::boobies5:

 

I agree but I use 20-50 oil instead of grease.

 

My VFR is not ABS and came to me pre-fitted with braided lines, courtesy of the previous owner. But I have another bike with ABS and the eleventy billion fittings that come with it.. and rubber lines. I've followed the whole "are braided worth it" discussion 'round the web with interest. I also have a retired race bike that has braided lines and have had the pleasure of a 4 day, 1400 mile test ride of a bike that came factory fitted with stainless lines. My verdict is that braided lines are 110% worth their weight in unobtanium.

My guess is what makes line kits for ABS bikes so expensive is the myriad of fittings. I also have a cheasy dual-sport in the stable that has a single front caliper. I can get a line for that thing for $50. Meanwhile the double-caliper'ed ABS monstrosity next to it will cost me $300. Has to be the fittings and labor required to crimp them all.

That said, I'm saving my pennies for the $300 kit. I believe they are worth it.

 

I agree ss lines are worth the dough, but for now everything, so I might just grease the pins with disk grease-I have that and clean them then replace the pads when I get around to it-I have changed the fluid, so that's good for the season. I have my pipercross air filter being shipped from London. My bike is perfectly now maintained, so I am just going to ride it. The Shoria battery mod worked perfect-I don't need to use a tender till winter-I took close to 7 pounds off it-feels like a new bike.:kiwi-fruit:

 

On my other (ABS equipped) bike, I have been fighting a very soft brake lever. It is actually almost dangerously soft. I am going to try once more to bleed the whole system and then I am going to blame the lines and replace them. Everyone on the interwebz swears braided lines are "not needed". But now that I've experienced motorcycles with solid brakes, this thing feels lousy.

I have no idea if any of this experience transfers to the VFR in question. Just thought I'd offer it to the discussion.

 

Don't get me wrong, every bike I have owned, I installed steel (have one bike with a kevlar line) brake hoses on. You feel the difference, night and day. Just saying, I have seen what it entails and it looks to be a "bitch." That being said, if your gona do the work yourself, it looks to me, as it would be at least over double the amount of work to install the front lines, (may have one line running to the back as they are linked.) Could be tripple the work, I got two front lines for a bike and was done in 35 minutes or so. Go for it! Take pictures they last a life time :thumbsup: Cheers.

 

I would suggest using 2 parts dot 4, 1 part dot 3, and then add a single glistening drop of retsyn. The results are sweet.

 

sub 1 part Slick 50 for 1 part of dot 4 for even better braking!! :topsy_turvy:

 

What aboot the recipe for a dry gin martini? You wana just give it a whisper of dry vermouth and stir not shake. ound: My 91 still has the rear rubber line with no ill affects, don't matter that it barely gets used. Stay Cool