Brake hose upgrade

[Jonesnc]

Hi all, I'm Neil, new to the forum. Had my GSX14 for 3yrs, absolutely love it. Doing some brake maintenance and was considering replacing the standard OEM rubber hoses for braided steel lines, is the any performance benefit is going for a 2 hose race setup on the front versus the standard 3 hose setup?, also the HEL hoses seem to be keenly priced, used HEL lines years ago on a GSXR600 and thought they really improved braking, but heard a few complaints about them more recently (albeit on cars), where there have been manufacturing defects. Appreciate any thoughts guys, many thanks in advance.

[mlivkovich]

Any of 3 brake hose setups will work just fine. I tried all 3 and didn't notice any difference in braking force or feeling

[Barbastro K6]

The solution of two pipes in front starting from the pump seems to be the most effective

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Welcome mate, definitely worth doing. I rum HEL lines gront and back, std set up works just fine.  Looked at the 'race' setvup, looks really busy up at the perch with two linrs coming out, plus youve got to route both lines down.  In thr std setup, the split is under the headlight, much tidier.  Makes no difference im braking at all imho.

[lurch]

You won't notice the difference between the different line configurations. It's mainly aesthetic or for ease of installation.

I've used HEL lines many times, most recently 12 months ago on my own 1400. Front and rear with individual lines from the master on the front. Never had an issue with quality.

[grog]

HEL braided f&r, std set up front. Quality & fit perfect.Rock solid feel front.A tip from org member was after bleeding etc, fairly solid feel front lever, tap unions to release any tiny bubbles. I did this for about 2 months, everytime i remembered gave them a tap with spanner.Eventually, one day jumped on, lever absolutely rock hard.Laugh if you want but result perfect. ThankYou Steve Porter. 👍

[Pommeroy]

Welcome to the forum Neil 
The hive mind on here can usually help.

[Tony Nitrous]

Any of 3 brake hose setups will work just fine. I tried all 3 and didn't notice any difference in braking force or feeling

100% this.

I have a bike with 2 hoses from the master.
I have a bike with a single hose down one side and a loop over the guard to the other.
I have a bike with a short hose to a splitter on the bottom yoke and a hose down each side.
I've previously run all 3 on other bikes.

The calipers, master cylinder, pads, hoses, fluid etc make a lot more difference that which of the 3 you use.

[GSXKING]

Welcome to the nuthouse Neil.
The members love pictures so if you have any post away.

The advantage of braided lines is there is no flex. I have used Hel race set up with sintered pads and it's definitely better than rubber hoses with standard pads.

[lurch]

HEL braided f&r, std set up front. Quality & fit perfect.Rock solid feel front.A tip from org member was after bleeding etc, fairly solid feel front lever, tap unions to release any tiny bubbles. I did this for about 2 months, everytime i remembered gave them a tap with spanner.Eventually, one day jumped on, lever absolutely rock hard.Laugh if you want but result perfect. ThankYou Steve Porter. 👍

I've seen people use those massage guns on the line to help, seems like overkill to me. I use a vac bleeder these days and never have an issue but zip tying the lever to the bars overnight generally does the trick if I do

[grog]

Agree totally Lurch. Ive tried every trick, old and new. Didnt know the massage one. Mine were bled, vac bled, syringe bled opposite way. I thought pretty damn good. Then the tapping experiment for a try, it worked.I was actually quite amazed when it went so hard. Porno movie, nah just motorcycles😂

[Hooli]

I'll agree with the others, the single or twin hoses from the master cylinder is solely a choice on looks. It makes no difference to how effective the brakes are.
The biggest difference you'll feel from changing the hoses is the new fluid. I was still running the original hoses on mine & the brakes were as solid as other 14s I look after with braided lines. Rebuild the calipers too, they're famous for sticky pistons where corrosion pushes the dust seals out & they jam the piston in the bore.

[Barbastro K6]

This topic has already been written here before.

[Mr Gee]

I've always, put Goodridge Aeroquip on mine. More expensive than Hel but top notch quality. Never had any problems.  

As for set up, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. It's really, just the look.

[Phill P]

Venhill on the gsx, goodridge on my old xjr1300, both excellent but as said new fluid/pads ftw. Standard front setup.