HEL VS OEM Brake hoses XTX
 

Hi forum, as the title suggests am wondering how much of an improvement the HEL braided hoses are from the stock ones on the XTX. I am quite happy with my brakes at the moment but am always open to improvements so am considering fitting these front and rear but wouldn't want to splash out if the improvement isn't that great. As far as I know the bike still has the original brake lines it had from new in 2007, 19,000 miles ago.
Any input appreciated Thanks!

They should have been replaced in 2011! ;)

Rubber brake lines should be replaced every four years as a matter of course as they degrade from the inside. They might look nice on the outside, but the could be a right old mess inside with fragments of rubber contaminating your fluid. They also become porous to gases (and water vapour) over time.

Replace them and if nothing else you'll experience greater peace of mind. New lines will improve the feel of the brakes slightly and your fluid will stay clean and free of moisture for longer. Braided lines last longer too.

Thanks for the reply Pleiades. What about the front brake line which is braided?

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If the front is braided, then it isn't the original. Someone will have replaced it at some point and it won't therefore be as ancient as the rubber rear hose. You could leave it, but why not replace both front and rear with a matching snazzy colour. At least you'll know where you are then and how old your brake lines are.

What always worries me is, if an older bike is still wearing original hoses, it doesn't instill confidence that the fluid has ever been flushed out and changed. Something more important than changing the hoses themselves and should be done every two years. Do you know when your brake fluid was last changed?

I actually changed the brake fluid myself shortly after buying it. The original fluid was a nasty dark orange colour and the reservoir had black stuff in it.
As far as I am aware the xtx comes with braided front hose as standard?
The snazzy colour is definitely an appeal though I must say!

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Maybe they do have braid fronts? However, the fact the fluid "had black stuff in it" tells a story - it can only have come from one place - the inside lining of the hose (and maybe the seals). So probably worth replacing anyway if you're not sure of its vintage.

Yea true well I guess I will be ordering some then. Thanks for your help!

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How would I know if the black stuff in the reservoir was from the seals and what would I need to do if it is?

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It is very unlikely to be the seals disintegrating. I just pointed this out as the only other source of black (rubber) deposits in the brake fluid. 99.9% of the time black fluid contamination is due to breakdown of the hose inner wall.

Awesome thanks again Pleiades for your help I will be replacing both hoses with HEL ones, they have a lifetime guarantee and excellent reviews from everyone on this forum who uses them so it seems like a no brainer.

Cheers!

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