Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Jun 2008
kentfallen's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bexhill, East Sussex, England, UK
Posts: 673
H.E.L Performance Brake Hoses?

I have just ordered a twin set of Brake hoses from a company called HEL. My mate told me that this company produce good quality hoses for two thirds the price of Goodridge hoses. I have opted for plain stainless steel with a clear plastic coating. They should do the job nicely...

HEL Brake Lines - Stainless Steel Motorcycle Performance Brake Line And Brake Hose Kits

I have noticed the brake performance of my XT6 going downhill gradually. I changed the brake fluid twice without any noticeable improvement. I am told these new hoses should sort the problem out or at least improve the situation. I appreciate that the single front disk brake on the XT6 isn't exactly powerful.

The set of 2 hoses cost me only £54 including all required parts (banjo's etc...). I understand that Goodridge would have wanted £65 for their product.

Has anyone else had any dealings with this company or their products? If so, were they any good?

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Jun 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
I've used HEL, motrax and goodridge hoses. Goodridge are definitely better but whether its enough to justify the price I am not sure. The cheaper ones tend to have slightly narrower hoses and 'build your own' end sets. The goodridge ones I have used have been 'properly' built, so less seals to leak (might be the difference). Whatever you use as long as they are put on right will be a lot better than rubber hoses as they won't start to expand as the pressure goes up. On exactly the same model bike one with braided generic b-y-o lines and one with single piece goodridge the latter broke better, less spongy under heavy braking and better feel, but only just. Both were a MASSIVE improvement on the then stock Ducati rubbish

I am saving up for the kit to thread, press etc my own hoses so should be able to build hoses for a fraction of the cost of either, watch this space and buy me drinks for cheap hoses!

On a brake line side-note can anyone confirm whether or not you need seperate lines to each front caliper for race scrutinering? I was told this and have built my FZR lines accordingly, but all the current superbikes seem to have a different arrangement?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
HEL lines

Race bikes use one line to each calliper, as I always did when I was racing 1999-2003. Less metal joins/weight, less complexity, easier to bleed them? The rumour about damage to one line with redundancy in the 2nd doesn't make sense (racing wives tale - one master cylinder!) except that 1into2 lines are often fixed to the mudguard and when that get's knocked-off you really will have no brakes. I could hazard that two individual lines gives you more fluid in the system which could be an advantage (higher fluid velocity in the upper line before the split into 2 rather than pushing all the fluid through two individual bores?).
As an ex-aeronautical engineer I should really be able to work out the answer

I raced with HEL for 2 years and found them more than adequate and a friends races the TT supported by HEL.

The lines certainly aren't as cheap as Buster's "specials" but you guys are talking about brake systems (trailies etc.) that, whilst benefiting enormously, are not as sensitive or mission critical as a race bike.

Scrutes will be more than happy with 1 line per calliper.
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

Last edited by edteamslr; 19 Jun 2008 at 23:15.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
I bought HEL lines for my Dommie. They were fine. Nicely finished inblack, inoccuous, plastic. Good kit...IMHO
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Jun 2008
Ten660's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitchurch
Posts: 79
If you're making hoses yourself then make sure you allow for the Full extension of the front forks when measuring the length

A friend of mine made some up for his KLX650 Supermotard,and promptly ripped it off on his first wheelie!

Oh,how we all laughed!

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Simonstone, Lancashire, England
Posts: 63
I put Hel hoses on the front of my XTZ660 and they made a improvement, taking most of the spongy feel and long lever travel out
The product looks well made and fit perfectly, and was about a third of other prices.

But I find the front brake on the xtz vertually non-existant compaired to my K1200S roadbike, (to be expected really) so I ordered some sintered pads from M&P over 3 weeks ago, to hopefully improve them more but I am still waiting for them, ' will advise if that helps when I know
__________________
Take care out there
Brian

Britch's Holidays Dreaming of the BIG one :-)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Jun 2008
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
sintered pads

i put sintered pads in my AT the other day and personally i found a difference for the better with them. i dont have braided hoses so could'nt coment. ps britch, M&P have gone crap nowadays.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
the stock front brake setup on the AT is pretty good from what I remember, complete the solution on my Elefant 750 is a bit pricey (400 quid!!) and am saving at the mo'. The essential problem is a single disc rather than double, which is the same as the xt/xtz I think (?). If so it might be that a larger disc with a floating caliper and new caliper mount and better fork brace could be the solution.

Do a lot of people have a problem with the front brake on the xt? If so there may be an upgrade kit out there, if not I am sure one of us could knock up a kit (existing rotor off another bike, rotor mount, caliper mount and hose)...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Gecko's Avatar
Slippery when wet
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Spain
Posts: 311
I've used HEL for a number of years on my GS. After 2 years I had a problem with one of the hoses - a phone call to HEL resulted is a no questions asked free replacement hose . they didn't even want to see the damaged one back. Excellent product - excellent service
__________________
...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
braided hoses bigbrummer Yamaha Tech 2 2 Aug 2006 23:41
TTR 600 Performance bolla Yamaha Tech 3 3 Jun 2005 03:52
Brake hoses John Roberts BMW Tech 5 23 Mar 2004 13:51
Braided steel hoses? Barry Johnson Yamaha Tech 4 13 Jan 2004 17:29
Adventure fuel hoses Dug KTM Tech 1 20 Jun 2002 15:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:13.