How often do you change brake fluid motorcycle?

About brake fluid:
"DOT 4 fluids are also glycol ether based, but have a measure of borate esters added for improved properties including increased dry and wet boiling points. A seldom talked about characteristic is that because of this chemistry, the DOT 4 fluid will have a more stable and higher boiling point during the early portion of its life, but ironically once the fluid does actually begin to absorb water its boiling point will typically fall off more rapidly than a typical DOT 3....The real differentiating factor is that DOT 4 fluid should be changed more often than a DOT 3 fluid, because of the effects and rates of water absorption."
Brake Fluid

If brake fluid has moisture in it, under the heat of emergency braking the fluid can flash to vapor. The pedal/lever goes all the way down, and you have no brakes. Note that the wet braking test point for the federal regulations is 3.7% water in the fluid. Technically, there are ways to determine the moisture content of the brake fluid. Practically, change it periodically. I have a friend who was towing his horse trailer down Mt. Adams with his F-150. Steep downhill, his brakes failed. His pedal went to the floor. He got it stopped by downshifting, using the parking brake, and the downgrade also flattened out. He wiped his brow, changed his shorts, and looked his truck over. No signs of fluid leaks. Fluid level OK in the reservoir. Hmmm. He got in, and his pedal felt good. Got home, took the truck to his mechanic, and got the explanation about boiling brake fluid. He got the fluid changed and also, in the future, downshifted on long downgrades. Yes, brakes are cheaper than a transmission overhaul, unless you crash.

Scott E. Bonds said:

Not a good corallary IMO. A truck running downhill with a trailor is on the brakes hard and for an extended period of time. Thus enough time for the pressure and heat to boil fluid near the caliper.

A bike is different. Have you ever needed to ride the brakes for long on a hill? Ever heated up a disk? Ever pulled a trailor? Bike brakes need to be there but will not require continuous application.

Thus the second reason for a fluid change, the absorbed moisture will corrode internal brake parts in the caliper. The water goes to the lowest point and collects.

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Why is it important that brake fluid is in good condition? Even though fluid dwells in a sealed system, it still can absorb moisture over time, and that absorption can lead to corrosion in the brake system and brake lines. Moisture also lowers the boiling point of the fluid, and that can reduce a vehicle’s brake pedal effectiveness in repeated hard stops, or it could even lead to brake failure.

If the manufacturer lists a 10-year interval or none at all for replacing brake fluid, why do you need to have your brake fluid flushed, and how often should a fluid flush be done?

Unless the manufacturer calls for it sooner, monitor your braking performance to see when you are due for a flush – and while you’re at it – have old fluid replaced at the same time as other brake component work, such as replacing brake pads, callipers or discs. Replacing brake fluid is cheaper than replacing brake lines or a master cylinder that has corroded, so don’t automatically dismiss the brake recommendation of a mechanic as just salesmanship.

And no matter who suggests fresh fluid, make sure the brake fluid replacement is done with the type that is called for by the vehicle manufacturer. Some vehicles require DOT 3 fluid, others a different variety, such as DOT 5 fluid, so consult your owner’s manual before you give the go ahead.

How Often is Brake Fluid Changed on a Car?

As a general rule, it is recommended to change the brake fluid once a year or every two years. Of course, this also depends strongly on the way of driving and the mileage.

The reason for this measure is that brake fluid is very hydrophilic, that means it tends to absorb water. When applying the brake, the braking system, and with it the brake fluid, is heated up in such a way that the water starts to boil and form vapour bubbles. These bubbles are compressed during braking. Therefore, the increasing proportion of water in the system reduces the brake pressure. The specialist garage is able to determine the boiling point of the brake fluid and thus state when it became necessary to change it.

If you are in doubt, better change the brake fluid once too often which is good for safety.

Source credit: http://www.stahlbus.com/info/en/service/faq-s/bleeder-valves/68-how-often-and-why-should-i-change-the-brake-fluid

How Often is Brake Fluid Changed on a Motorcycle?

For road use, it is recommended that your brake fluid be change every 1-2 years. This would more than likely be completed as part of your service schedule.

On the track however you do not want to have any chance of experiencing any kind of performance drops given the level at which you rely on the brakes, so changing it earlier wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Around once a year if not more if you do quite a lot of track days.

People will comment it should be changed a lot more often because it experiences a lot more heat, but when buying the best fluids from the best brands you shouldn’t experience any performance drops due to overheating.

What Types of Brake Fluid Are Out There?

The three main types of brake fluid now available are DOT3, DOT4 and DOT5. DOT3 and DOT4 are glycol-based fluids, and DOT5 is silicon-based. The main difference is that DOT3 and DOT4 absorb water, while DOT5 doesn’t.

One of the important characteristics of brake fluid is its boiling point. Hydraulic systems rely on an incompressible fluid to transmit force. Liquids are generally incompressible while gases are compressible. If the brake fluid boils (becomes a gas), it will lose most of its ability to transmit force. This may partially or completely disable the brakes. To make matters worse, the only time you are likely to boil your brake fluid is during a period of prolonged braking, such a drive down a mountain — certainly not the best time for brake failure!

Source credit: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-parts/types-of-brake-fluid.htm

Time for a brake fluid change – or a general check-up on the state of your braking system? Click here to get in touch with us today for quotations and advice!

How often should brake fluid be changed on motorcycle?

How Often is Brake Fluid Changed on a Motorcycle? For road use, it is recommended that your brake fluid be change every 1-2 years. This would more than likely be completed as part of your service schedule.

What happens if you dont change motorcycle brake fluid?

What happens if I don't replace my brake fluid? If you don't have your Brake Fluid changed as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer this will lead to moisture contamination in your brake reservoir where the Brake Fluid is stored. As your brake fluid ages, it's also bound to be contaminated with 'debris buildup'.

How often do you really need to change brake fluid?

On average, you will need a brake fluid flush every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Routine maintenance also heavily depends on your driving patterns. For example, if you tend to drive shorter routes with frequent braking, you may need more frequent brake fluid flushes.