DOT 4 or DOT 5 Brake fluid

So any ill effects of using dot 5 brake fluid. I went to the Yamaha dealership where i bought my bike and ask for dot 4 they didn't have any but they had dot 5. i asked if its ok to use dot 5 inplace of dot 4. so I bought it. Now i'm debated wheater to change it back to dot 4. Didn't notice any difference but i'm worried it will screw up some of the seals on the calipers. Any ideas.

Don't do it! You must flush the entire system with alcohol and even then you could have seal problems. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5

From what I know, DOT 5 is NOT compatible with DOT 3/4. You must get every bit of the old DOT 4 out of the system or very bad things can happen. DO NOT ride the bike until you get this sorted out! If it were me, I'd be pulling all brake lines and replacing with stainless. That way, there is no chance of a reaction. If you already have stainless and don't want to replace your lines, you will need to flush the entire system. I'm not sure the safest way to do this but you must do it the proper way or you will have problems. I'd be getting some professional advice if I were you and I'd avoid the dealership at all cost based on the info they provided. Mark 99 R1

Is it dot 5 or dot 5.1? If it's dot 5 and you've put it in your bike, it's brakes are fooked. Dot 5.1 will work with dot 3 and dot 4, but dot 5 won't.

wow. What i did is drained the Dot4 then added the Dot5 and just bleed the brakes until all the dot 4 was out and all that was left coming out is dot 5. I may take everything apart and clean with brake cleaner and reassemble and add the dot 4 back and just chunk the dot 5 at the dealer ship. what a tool over there i asked if it is compatible with dot 4 and he said "oh yeah the mix fine" dayum I am never going back there again. thanks.

wow. What i did is drained the Dot4 then added the Dot5 and just bleed the brakes until all the dot 4 was out and all that was left coming out is dot 5. I may take everything apart and clean with brake cleaner and reassemble and add the dot 4 back and just chunk the dot 5 at the dealer ship. what a tool over there i asked if it is compatible with dot 4 and he said "oh yeah the mix fine" dayum I am never going back there again. thanks. Are you sure it's DOT 5 and not DOT 5.1? Like someone else said, DOT 5.1 IS compatible with DOT 3 or 4, but DOT 5 is NOT. If you've already put the DOT 5 in, remove it and flush your system with rubbing alcohol. Then you can use the DOT 5 if you want to, but it will probably have a spongier feel than DOT 4 (DOT 5 is silicone). IF you do use the DOT 5, be sure to get ALL the old stuff out of EVERY part of your brake system. DOT 5 does have its advantages, including the fact that it is non-hygroscopic, and will not damage paint or plastic finishes. Also, it is more stable in extreme temps (according to Wikipedia). Let us know how it turns out.

Its dot 5 and it does feel spongier on not really liking it to much. i guess I'll drain it and clean the entire system. and refill with dot 4. thanks for the help.

learned something new today. Thanks.

I put dot 5 in my bike back in january after i did the ss brake line install and have had NO problems at all. although in the bleeding it flushed out alot of brake fluid. It says dot 5 and not dot 5.1 again i have had NO seal problems, the brakes work mint and i plan on using the same fluid for the rear next season when i flush all my fluids.

it wont happen streight away R1slowflyer, it will happen over time

well in that case a full flush is in order... I do know that i flush the system out 3 times during the install. if in fact it is an issue than i guess i already did the damage. :dunno

lol, just keep an eye on it ;)

:thumbup

damn i used dot 5 also when the dealer said it was ok as long as flushed the entire system first. hmmmmm maybe should switch it but problem was couldnt find 4 at the time anywhere

oh i finally checked the other day and guess what dot 5.1 baby i was really starting to worry for a bit there...