Stainless steel brake lines upgrade: Difference between revisions

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*New brake pads (while you're there...)

Here's why SS is better: The rubber lines expand with pressure. The SS lines don't (at least nowhere near as much). When you squeeze the brake lever on a stock line, some of that energy goes into expanding the rubber instead of squeezing the brake pads together. With the SS line, that energy is no longer wasted. The end result is a brake that feels crisper and more definite. It makes the system feel much more precise and high-quality, with a greater sense of control.

Here's why SS is better: The rubber lines expand with pressure. The SS lines don't (at least nowhere near as much). When you squeeze the brake lever on a stock line, some of that energy goes into expanding the rubber, instead of squeezing the brake pads together. With the SS line, that energy is no longer wasted. The end result is a brake that feels crisper and more definite. It makes the system feel much more precise and high-quality, with a greater sense of control.

"Just the front?" you ask? Well, here are some opinions:

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*[https://www.ninja250.org/agradzki agradzki]: I have HH sintered pads on the rear and I haven't even locked up the rear yet (despite epic braking power) because you can feel the wheel speed in your hand and foot so easily! With the rubber lines there would be NO FEEDBACK until you started fishtailing!

*[https://www.ninja250.org/IanJ IanJ]: I installed SS lines both front and rear on my first bike, and liked it, but didn't really notice much difference in rear feel. It was better, but not a lot better. On my second bike, I opted to skip the SS rear line, and haven't regretted it.

*[https://www.ninja250.org/IanJ IanJ]: I installed SS lines both front and rear on my first bike, and liked it, but didn't really notice much difference in rear feel. It was better, but not a lot better. On my second bike, I opted to skip the SS rear line and haven't regretted it.

==Brake lines need to be replaced anyway...==

A generally ignored part of the service schedule is that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years. So, if your bike is more than three years old, this should be part of your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless lines is five years.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 *New brake pads (while you're there...)
-Here's why SS is better: The rubber lines expand with pressure. The SS lines don't (at least nowhere near as much). When you squeeze the brake lever on a stock line, some of that energy goes into expanding the rubber instead of squeezing the brake pads together. With the SS line, that energy is no longer wasted. The end result is a brake that feels crisper and more definite. It makes the system feel much more precise and high-quality, with a greater sense of control.
+Here's why SS is better: The rubber lines expand with pressure. The SS lines don't (at least nowhere near as much). When you squeeze the brake lever on a stock line, some of that energy goes into expanding the rubber, instead of squeezing the brake pads together. With the SS line, that energy is no longer wasted. The end result is a brake that feels crisper and more definite. It makes the system feel much more precise and high-quality, with a greater sense of control.
 "Just the front?" you ask? Well, here are some opinions:
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 *[https://www.ninja250.org/agradzki agradzki]: I have HH sintered pads on the rear and I haven't even locked up the rear yet (despite epic braking power) because you can feel the wheel speed in your hand and foot so easily! With the rubber lines there would be NO FEEDBACK until you started fishtailing!
-*[https://www.ninja250.org/IanJ IanJ]: I installed SS lines both front and rear on my first bike, and liked it, but didn't really notice much difference in rear feel.  It was better, but not a lot better.  On my second bike, I opted to skip the SS rear line, and haven't regretted it.
+*[https://www.ninja250.org/IanJ IanJ]: I installed SS lines both front and rear on my first bike, and liked it, but didn't really notice much difference in rear feel.  It was better, but not a lot better.  On my second bike, I opted to skip the SS rear line and haven't regretted it.
+==Brake lines need to be replaced anyway...==
 A generally ignored part of the service schedule is that OEM brake lines should be replaced every four years. So, if your bike is more than three years old, this should be part of your scheduled maintenance. The price is nearly the same, and with stainless you get a much better product. Board recommendation for life expectancy on stainless lines is five years.