Whats the story..!!

[AndyT]

A couple of questions for you guys:

1. Will a remus or laser pipe and y-piece be interchangeable between an 850/1100 & 1150 ? I'm sure the barrels on an 850 are the same as the 1100 but not sure if they are the same as the 1150.

2. Why is the change from normal to braided brake hose so popular. Surely the standard kit is optimum or the manufacturers would fit it as standard (or am I being nieve!!).

Have Fun
AndyT

 

[BBB61]

The front header pipes on the 1100 are different from the 1150, so the Remus Y piece wouldn't fit. The main reason for fitting the Y piece on the 1150's is to get rid of the cat. 1100's were not fitted with the cat as standard, so it is not so crucial to get rid of the standard collector box. The biggest improvement I made to my 1100 was to fit a Superchip, which made a dramatic difference to its running. Better driveability, no surging, a bit more power and improved fuel consumption. No doubt the BB chip for the 1100 would have a similar effect.

I also fitted a Laser "silencer" to my 1100. It sounded great, but was a bit loud when winding it on. It saved about 14 pounds in weight compared to the weight of the standard collector box and silencer.

Bob

 

[Duncan]

The reason for fitting braided hose is the standard "rubber" hose has more give under hard braking, i.e. it is bulging the brake line as opposed to moving the piston. This becomes worse as the brake lines get older and weaker. I think the manufacturers don't fit them as standard for cost reasons.

 

[Simon Eassom]

Braided hoses are standard on the Adventure and the F650GS now has a braided front hose as standard. Playng the Devil's Advocate here, some prefer regular hoses on the GS because you lose a little bit of "feel" with braided hoses and for newcomers to GSing who find the lack of fork-dive disconcerting at first, having braided hoses would make the braking feel even more remote. Also, braided hoses can make the front brake too fierce for off-roading.
However, I have replaced my hoses with braided ones and the difference is huge! Firm, one finger braking. Well worth it.

 

[AndyT]

Thanks Guys

My 850 GS is on a 2001 plate so must be one of the last sold. I think it has a cat fitted and will check through the manual. I'm sure the tail pipe will fit but as yopu say it is the Y-peice that seems to stiffle the flow.

Regarding Braided hoses - I raised the question as the standard ones seem to swell more than my previous bikes but the brakes (IMHO) are superb. I know what Simon means regarding to sensitive brakes when offroad. This is one of the biggest gripes on the Transalp mailing list even after changing from single to double disc. Funny as it sounds, good brakes off road are lethal ....!!!!!!

Thanks again

Have fun

AndyT