Why is it..

[roadventure]

Why is it that motorcyclists are advised to change their brake fluid every two years and brake hoses every four years, yet you read virtually nothing about this for automobiles which use the same brake fluids and same type of rubber brake hoses?  In addition to this automobiles typically get driven far more miles per year than most motorcycles and so they would be more susceptible to erosion of brake hoses.

[rocker59]

An abundance of caution, I'm sure.

[Craig in Alabama]

It's part of the regular maintenance on most European cars, don't know about domestic though. Motorcycles are probably more prone to damage because the components are hanging out there in the weather more than on cars. I think it's a worthwhile maintenance item.

Cheers!

Craig

[guzziownr]

An abundance of caution, I'm sure.

Rocker is correct. All modern cars have redundancies built into the braking system. If you blow a line, the car will still stop, just not as well.

On my '72 Eldorado with drum brakes if I lost braking completely it would be hard to tell the difference so regular inspection and maintenance were key.

[PhilB]

1) You are supposed to change the brake fluid in your car periodically as well.
2) Much of brake fluid break down is intense temperatures, and/or water absorption, both of which are worse problems on motorcycles.
3) Safe motorcycling relies more on feel and precision than with cars, so brake fluid breakdown or sponginess will show up sooner.
4) Cars have redundant braking systems; typically if you lose a circuit on a car, you still have 3 wheels to brake with; motorcycles have less margin of error.

PhilB

[John A]

It’s one of those maintenance items that get ignored unless you keep an old vehicle and are familiar with such things .Maybe people don’t want to pay for preventative maintenance on something that won’t rear its ugly head while they own it,  if they are even aware.  It’s sobering to think of the vehicle’s out there with under maintained brakes , especially considering that we as motorcyclists generally maintain our brakes very well

[Daniel Kalal]

...yet you read virtually nothing about this for automobiles...

Actually, the factory recommended brake maintenance schedule for my Volkswagen is largely parallel with the recommended Moto Guzzi schedule.

[s1120]

Actually, the factory recommended brake maintenance schedule for my Volkswagen is largely parallel with the recommended Moto Guzzi schedule.

Yup, VW for sure, and lots of other car makers also recommend it as part of some of the services..  Maybe not as often as bikes...  but still.. I think VW was 20K if I remember right...   

[lti_57]

Chevy recommends I do it on my 2017 Silverado
around 35k i think he told me just the other day

[Chuck in Indiana]

Motorcycle master cylinder reservoirs are out in the open, and tiny by automotive standards. That makes the fluid easier to contaminate, and contamination more noticeable. Harley Bob said essentially the same thing when his hawgs rear brake quit working. "I never have to mess with this stuff on my car.." "It's *not* a car, Bob. 
He took it to the dealer and they said it couldn't be fixed.  Needed all new $tuff. 
Cleaned up the caliper assembly and $4 worth of fluid. 

[kingoffleece]

Spend any time in a busy shop and you'll find plenty of brake jobs being done due to lack of regular service.
Norge owners know this, or will at some point, if they don't stay on top of the rear as the bodywork traps heat and beats up the fluid.