Front wheel skids?

I recently put braided hoses on my 96 cat and I've never had them on a bike before.
I took her out for a spin to make sure they were safe etc and found that if I attempt an emergency style stop (similer to mod1 exercise) the front end now locks up and the front wheel skids.
I've never had this before so came as a bit of a shock at first but I'm getting used to it now. I'm just wondering if this is normal with upgraded brake lines? Or is it a problem with suspension or tyres maybe?

I've had braided hoses on my 'Cat for a couple of months, like you the first time.

The calipers were serviced at the same time, so the difference I now feel I put down to that and not the new hoses - I haven't tried an emergency stop recently. Seems pretty normal to me.

The forks could well need a service, the oil turns to the consistency of water. You can test to see if your forks are bottoming out by putting something like a cable tie ( not too tight though) on one of the fork stanchions - half way will do.

Ride the bike normally and check to see how high the marker has been moved to - right to the top will indicate an adjustment or more likely a service.

It may be that you are snatching the brakes. Even in an emergency stop you should apply the front progressively (but quickly) so you load the front tyre and increase the grip. If you just grab a handful you can lock the wheel before it can load up. With braided lines you now have a more firm connection between hand and wheel, so you will have to learn how to feel the brakes.

Yeah thanks for the I pit guys. I was just worried as before it was all but impossible to lock up the front. As silly as it sounds I'm actually less confident in them now. I suppose it will just take time to adjust to them

The roads are likely to be pretty greasy with the salt (and added molasses in some areas) they'll have been spreading.
The colder weather means it also takes longer for the ever present diesel trails to evaporate, so it could just be a combination of better brakes and poor traction. :/

p.s. I generally notice the rear wheel 'floating' if I'm too heavy on the front brake (I always use both, so the rear tends to lock unless I ease off it).

Try braking with only two fingers - index finger and the one next to it - rather than a handful. That is all I generally need for most braking.

It will take t you a while to get used to the new hoses, the main reason there now locking up easier is due to all the pressure your applying is nie going directly into the calipers where as before alot of the pressure was dispersed into stretching the old rubber hose, once your used to them you'll love it,

Couple of good tips there.

I did an "advanced braking course" a couple of years ago. One of the things they get you to do is snatch the front brake (momentarily) to show how easy it is to lock the front if you apply full pressure before the tyre is loaded up.

Progressive application is the key. Once the tyre is loaded it's amazing how much stopping power you can achieve. Watch the slo-mo's of the racers, and you can see the way the forks are compressed, the tyre is squashed down into the tarmac with a big contact patch, and the back wheel is up in the air, so all the deceleration is coming from the front.

You CAN practice it on the road, if you have a nice empty, well-surfaced stretch, but it's best on a track or, as with this course, an airfield.

Yeah thanks for the tips guys, I am getting used to it now. wouldn't wanna have to test them properly yet but building confidence slowly :-) I plan on doing some advanced riding courses this year so will hopefully learn to utilise their full capability. This is what I get for only having ever ridden older bikes I suppose. Imagine the mess I'd get into with a more lightweight sports bike with Abs and traction control haha