What is the benefit of this kind of fuel hose vs just straight rubber hose?

not able to answer your question,
however on ouaboards, we are fed up of seeing fuel hose that perishes, and we get this super flexy stuff on ebay it hink that is quite expensive but it doesnt break down and is the best stuff...

its similar to the stuff yamaha use on ouabord engines,

if you can get hold of that its good stuff

sorry for the useless info

I've just had to replace two sections of braided fuel pipe, both were weeping petrol. Have replaced with normal rubber fuel pipe. The chap who works on the 2cv told me that braided is rubbish.

Assuming the rubber inside is the right stuff (and the braiding isn't hiding cheap shite), the difference is purely cosmetic.

also forgot to mention, had to replace mine to, it was starting to go, so i bent it to see how much life was left and it just snapped, it perishes so badly, the stuff i reccomend is very expensive but is on ebay, about 5 pounds per metre, but well worth it!

Braided hoses are evil, you can't see the decay until this happens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrvE3b77A8A