Affirmative, thank you duibhceK, i will look into a coolant change too asap.

My rear pads are being changed over tomorrow, so i guess this is the reason the fluid level is low, and they are very worn so hopefully after the pad change it should be bumped back upto where it needs to be!

It is a pain my manual is in French, i don't know why it is! So yeah a haynes muchly needed for sure, i have a friend going to spot one for me in halfords as you said uberthumper, this afternoon, hopefully they have some in stock there too!

Thank you for your replys, a massive help to me so far!

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, according to the service schedule (cars & bikes).

Good time to do it, while doing the pads.

I make sure mines changed, but to be honest it never makes the brakes feel any different - maybe it's just being cautious ?

I did speak to the chap about this at kawasaki, he said generally unless the fluid is discoloured or as he put it "urine that would make you want to go to the doctors colour" it's generally ok, but stated he would check it and change it if he deems it need be done... should i press him to change it out anyways, or?

I'm not sure I'd trust the effectiveness of my brake fluid to a visual check....

I know when my wife's car went in for it's service the did some kind of 'boiling point' check on the fluid. I have no idea what that is, or how they do it, but it sounds very much like there is a more scientific method of checking the water content than visual.

Gotcha, thanks for the heads up on that! i reckon the best plan will be to grab that haynes manual for myself from halfords (if they have one!), find out the deal with changing coolant and brake fluid and do them both myself this weekend, then i know where i am at with it all i guess...

You could always try one of these:

http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/produ...fluid-test-kit

I bought one last time I serviced the bike just out of interest to see what was going on with the fluids. For �4.99 it added a bit of interest to the usual mundane servicing experience.

As brake fluid gradually absorbs moisture over a period of time which reduces the boiling point, you may not notice the difference during normal use. In a heavy use situation - long down hill, high speed emergency braking etc. the fluid can boil due to the heat build up and once that happens you have vapour in the system rather than fluid. This means no brakes and a brown trouser moment.!!

Brake fluid isn't that expensive and on most bikes it's an easy job to bleed the new fluid through the system. I personally change mine every two years as I've witnessed the effects of vapour lock (as its known...). Better to be safe than sorry.

That's my tuppence worth ;-)

i wouldnt worry too much at 3200 miles
if theres any suspicion over the brake fluid though and your not sure get a expert opinion ..

change the oil checkall brake pads fluids ,chain and front sprocket check the air filter check nuts and bolts around the chassis ...get on and ride

ive just stuck halfords oil in it ..clean foam filter when needed ///and some rear pads and a chain in ///18k miles they are tough bikes you should be fine