I agree, I am just stating why people use it on the street. I am more inclined to believe it's fashion.

This and isn't the boiling point something ridiculously high? :scratch:

Wrong again. Glycol based fluids are very light sensitive.

The difference between street and track use is simple,

Most people use silicone based fluid on the street which are not UV sensitive, hygroscopic, caustic, or needs to be changed...ever. No need to cover.

On the track most people use glycol based fluid because of it's better performance characteristics- better feel. Because glycol based fluids are very light sensitive they cover the reservoirs. Also because glycol fluids are hygroscopic, they have to be changed every year or two.

I use silicone based because I don't feel like fucking with it every year. I cover it because I like the way it looks.

What? :skep:

I was talking on the street. ;)

Looks like this guy got shut up when asked the same question

http://www.bikerforum.co.uk/forums/b...cover-why.html

Is there proof of this? A google search on "brake fluid UV" did not reveal any.

Yea but then you'd have to open the res to check it which would suck. The thing about UV damage is that it's much slower than hygroscopic damage... In other words, you should have changed the fluid long before sunlight may have damaged it. IMHO this is one of those holdover situations from the past that no longer apply.

It doesn't matter WHERE you ride, only what type of fluid you are using. Quite frankly, street bikes typically spend a lot more time sitting out in the sun. So if they are using a glycol based fluid you have more need of a cover on the street. Also, racers change fluids much more often than street riders so the chance of any UV damage is greatly reduced/eliminated.

You got that backwards. Silicon is for track use. Higher boiling point, but less stable and more expensive. DOT 3/4/5.1 brake fluids are glycol based. DOT 5 is silicon based, which is why they can't be mixed. You can bet mfgs will use the cheapest stuff they can find for production bikes. Glycol is the reason a lot of track orgs require you change coolant at higher levels.

I don't need no stinking sock. My reservoir is black with only a small window to check level.:wink: