Ask Dave: Motorcycle Brake Fluid

www.DaveMossTuning.com
You'd think by the year 2018 motorcycle brake fluid would be more better than it is. Oh well. Of course, like most things, the faster you go the more critical it becomes. Wax is not as crucial to the 4 days per year snowboarder as it is to Shaun White or Chloe Kim.
www.DaveMossTuning.com

[@anxiousappliance]

The passion, the emotion - I will never let my fluid get dark again - never!!

[@stuhall2591]

I like you. You're like the Gordon Ramsay of motorcycles.

[@diyanchristian5379]

maybe add more swearing?

[@jerryx2000]

nah he more loving

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

For many years I have owned and operated several vehicles with my construction businesses. Brake fluid change once a year was what I have always professed but most people thought I was more than fanatical. It's good to know I'm not crazy after all.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Far from it and in the real world, is there anything wrong with making sure your brakes are 100% given the small cost of brake fluid? Thanks for your diligence!

[@marcusbarnes5929]

I just changed out my brake fluid on the gsxr which was the motul RBF 600. It was 1 year old slightly darker than new so I knew it was time to change also the level had also increased due to water getting in.. On opening the front resivor I noticed it had a clear type skin/sludge sitting at the bottom blocking the small hole which was causing the brakes to drag. I had never seen anything like this before using the motul rbf 600. Dave have you ever came across this before using the motul rbf 600. I gave the callipers/pistons a good clean up too and all is working perfectly alot less brake drag.

[@fleetmanager3988]

There are brake fluid testers that test for moisture, I use them on our ambulances.

[@kymtaylor5433]

Change it frequently. Being hygroscopic, water in the oil corrodes the bores of the cylinders, screws up the seals. So $10 to change the oil is infinitely cheaper than new master or slave cylinders. Works better to. Great video enjoying all the the suspension setup videos as well.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Remember to use what the cap specifies as your go to brake fluid!

[@MidnightMagic]

mine says dot 4. is there a reason why i can not/ should not use dot 5.1?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

DOT 4 is the preferred fluid and you can change to DOT 5.1 Realize that DOT5 is a silicone fluid so I would need to strip clean the entire braking system before using it.

[@MidnightMagic]

So for everyday riding there is no need to change what the manufacturer recommends. And changing from 4 to 5 is something only the racing guys would benefit from?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

In my personal experience that has held true for the road. If you go to track days or race, you maintain very high brake fluid temps so the change makes sense then.

[@MidnightMagic]

Dave Moss Tuning awesome Dave. Thanks for all your wisdom mate. Love the videos. Keep up the good work.

[@dustinvangorkum3948]

Dave your the man! All your insight is amazing. Thanks again with the help on my bike . Money well spent!

[@kawilifezx10r23]

Just bled the front and rear on my 2014 zx10r used dot 4. The fluid in there was the original stuff color was alot darjer than the new stuff. Flushed my coolant and the same thing color was alot darker. I recommend changing these fluids maybe every season or every other season its not expensive and very easy to do.

[@Mazza666]

Ive watched moss for a while now. I can tell the dude knows his stuff. 👍Even tho he talks about motorbikes, i will take this information and apply it to my car 😎. His explanation is very simple to that someone not as bright as myself gets. Which is most important 😅

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks for your support of my work. I appreciate you taking the time to post.

[@GeorgiaGrowGuy]

i was online researching dot4 when this vid popped up on my yt feed notice, i have no doubt that was a confirmation that it is time to change the fluid on my daily rider.

[@pawelallable]

I love Dave's videos but the 90 day statement really surprises me. I just changed the brake fluid on my 2006 R1, with 15k miles. For the first time in the bikes life. Did the lever feel better after bleeding it? Yes. Did this 13 year old fluid (50x older than Dave recommends) really cause me any trouble on the street? Not to my knowledge. Would I have changed it before any trackday? Of course.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks for the comment. Each to their own as they say :)

[@Bok2022st]

I've been riding my Hyosung 650 for 2009 and I have never change the brake fluid it's size use. DOT 4 only can you put all. Brake fluids as long as they all. DOT 4 ? Maybe maybe my bike might start stopping in the right County from now I guess I am just a super cool Ryder or that or I have a guardian angel this will be remedied first thing in the morning thank you may be my guardian angel

[@RhinoDan]

Another maintenance added to my bike for sure! .

[@brentfrank7012]

Ahhhh so that’s why I still had squishy front brake feel after the shop changed my brake fluid. It was new but had water in it too. 🤔

[@bobbybackmarker9665]

Great tip Dave. Thanks for posting.

[@ireksawicki2623]

Some great info that i have not put mutch thought in to but it kind of all make sense. Another great vide thanks Dave

[@duannecb]

As always great info...do you recommend changing out pads before they get to the wear limit too, or is that just a personal preference on feel at the lever?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

I will change pads at 70% use on my road bikes, 50% on my track and race bikes. In the end it is personal preference based on feel and knowledge.

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

I don't believe all the storys 'about break fluid', unless somebody proofs that to me by providing me with data, for instance accurate measurements of the water content and the real boiling temperatur of the old fluid. Although Break Fluid will be contaminated with a certain amount of moisture in a sealed system, the chemical reaction capability tends almost to zero after relative short period of time. So the mistake potential by the changework itself will be much higher if amateurs do it too often. So I would mention this with my advice! Numbers of the racers of the past missed the first corner already, because they had not done their brake fluid change properly. And will continue to do so. And when cruising on country roads in spring or autumn, break Fluid temperature isnt an issue at all, very likely we should be fair enough to mention. 'Never touch a running system', can be good suggestions as well. And the wisdom to know the difference.

[@hughiemg2]

Thanks for the video. If you ever come out Chicago way i would definitely get you to take a look at my bike!

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

I wonder what Dave drive when on a privat trip? Japanese or German bike? Africa Twin or GS? Or maybe a maxi scooter as daily commuter? Most of the proffesional mechanic I've met are more on the scooter than on some superbike 😁

[@catalystreactionsbw]

I have an F4i in Australia, an MT10 in New Zealand, a 1250 Bandit in the US. If I was to be get a bike for a trip I would consider on and off road components of the trip by percentages. Predominantly off road? A KTM or Yamaha. For road it would be a standard and I really don't care what brand as long as it fits me correctly.

[@coreykimbler5188]

Dave you are the freaking man

[@scottcampbell2430]

Also putting a fluid other than approved it may swell the rubber parts in your brakes.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Great point!

[@rh1300s]

Golden advice

[@bryanharrison3889]

I fucking LOVE you dave... You're a genius.

[@radingamion7997]

Will you please send me a video regarding how to clean the TPS or throtle position sensor of yamaha r6

[@mhiscott4925]

I trust what I read in a motorcycle manual or bottle because companies pay engineers and companies a LOT of money to find that number and it would surprise me that a company actually says something is good for a matter of years instead of days because that loses money for them. Not saying I believe them over you, but its their career to do this stuff so I take their word and advice over yours in that specific dept. Same as I would take your advice over someone else's on suspension.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Understood and thanks for your comment.. All I can go off is my own experiences and knowledge gained through them and compound that with knowledge over the years acquired via race engineers that I have had the privilege to listen to. Again, our perspectives are based on our foundation and understanding.

[@mhiscott4925]

Dave Moss Tuning I think its advice well given for racing. As for regular road use. Rake fluid can last years

[@nontonlalajo]

well said, but i think it cost nothing to change brake fluid everytime you change your engine oil. as Dave said, brake fluid cost nothing, cost alot cheaper than your engine oil and most of the time we will depend on the brake more than the power of the engine. just my 2c

[@HienPham-hk9yj]

You're gonna wish your brakes work 100% of the time instead of praying and regretting and reminiscing of that one time it did not work. P/S : $10/L and 30 minutes every 3 months. Which is worth more? Your life or $10

[@DmanGuitar327]

Motul 600 or motul 660? Whats better overall for track days

[@catalystreactionsbw]

600 is all I use for track and race bikes

[@duartepc]

The i see is not about people not reading labels. Is people the even reading, can't understand a thing, and instead of searching more.....they end up rellying on a mate that stunts....a lot....wheelies....a lot..... Regards David, and thank you for sharing só much kwnoledge.

[@David.Horne72]

Fantastic information

[@newpuppy21]

Legend 👍

[@matthewmosca3984]

Preach it!!

[@radingamion7997]

Tnx for info

[@PanamaSticks]

I don't care what your research says. I have better stuff to to with my life than change brake fluid every 90 days.