KTM Front Brake Problems - Brake Won’t Work Issue

So a lot of KTM owners like me have an issue after the bike is 5 plus years old. If you let it sit for a couple months without touching the front brake, it fades to nothing. We have tried bleeding it down with a MityVac, bleeding it up, hanging it upside down, replacing all the fluid, different kinds of fluid, new pads, etc. Nothing seems to eliminate whatever air pocket develops from the bikes sitting for a while.
The only thing I have found to work is putting a zip tie around the brake lever and leaving it for a day. I come back and the brake is back to 100%. However after a couple weeks, it will fade away again. So my solution is to leave a zip tie on it while it's parked.
Let me know in the comments if anyone else has had this issue and any solutions!

[@yoaveiny]

It works!. have 2 year old KTM and it did exactly as described in video. Bled it many times. no luck. decided to search the net and ran into this video. had my doubts but it actually works. its really weird. I never ran into this problem. I have brembo on on ducati, BMW and also exactly same brembo on my 8 year old husky 350 which is running strong with original master cylinder and all and other than bleeding and swapping fluids every once in a while, has never any issue. I would have never thought of doing this. thanks bud for this video.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

It does work! Crazy right?! I tried everything, couldn't get whatever air bubble is in there to bleed out. You're welcome!

[@tonyz3760]

This worked for me as well! 3 days tied down and it was fine! May 8, 2024 Saskatoon, SK. I used a bungee cord.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Yep! So weird but it works!

[@Tarzone12345]

I had this issue. I took the brake off and looked at it then bled it and it started working agin. But then the lever started pulling to the bar when i pulled the lever in really slowly. I tried the zip tie trick. That seemed to help. Made the brake feel less spongy. But if I pull the lever really lightly it will still go all the way to the bar. I bought a master cylinder repair kit from KTM (Brembo). I'm going to instal it and see what happens.

[@sk8erkeeg1]

What happened?

[@Tarzone12345]

​@@sk8erkeeg1 Thank you for following up. I was having a hard time tracking this comment down to respond. Replacing the master cylinder and bleeding the brake solved the problem! Brake works well and has zero problems now.

[@sk8erkeeg1]

@@Tarzone12345 awesome! glad to hear it

[@jamesdepaul3410]

It worked for me, excellent!!! Thanks so much, i used 3 strong rubber bands for two nights and it worked!

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Awesome! I’m glad I was able to help!

[@kevinhoopes5711]

Hey fella. After you did this overnight, we’re you able to bleed and successfully refill the system.

[@lynseydanielsen9827]

This worked! Do you have a video of bleeding your back break.

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

BRAKE.

[@mikewampler3161]

Just put new brake line on my 09 ktm250xc. I bled and bled and pumped and bled some more. Zero movement on caliper but fluid is bleeding out as normal. Has me all confused. I'm gonna try this this evening when I get home. I've never thought about doing this. Let's try it out.......

[@MotorPsychoSport]

I've tried bleeding mine and nothing has fixed it. After this fix, it will fade away again in about a month or so. But I just throw another zip tie on it and do it again lol

[@StandlyRichards25]

I need to try this man I’ve had this same problem on my 16 xcf350 so I’ve been riding my moto bike in the woods 👎🏻

[@MotorPsychoSport]

It works. Somewhere Brembo has a design flaw where an air bubble is getting stuck

[@painsrides3616]

My 22 XCw started around this problem around 20 hours(31 on it now). I did an overnight zip-tie which firmed the brake up but it only lasted a ride before it started getting mushy again.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Yep, same here. It works for a little while and then I have to put a zip tie on it again. Mine usually goes a month before it needs a zip tie again. One ride is really quick. Wish KTM/Brembo would figure this out!

[@Wooskii1]

I think mine sat for maybe 2 weeks, then zero front brake. Using something to keep the brake lever squeezed when leaving it sit for more 2 days is the only solution I've found. Annoying, but it hasn't failed to work for me yet.

[@elobiretv]

Tried rebuilding the master cylinder? If it's an age related thing then maybe the seals are perished.

[@johnw1881]

I’ve rebuilt mine with the OE piston and still same issue. Inspected the bore of the Master when I had it out and seemed to be fine with the naked eye.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

I've replaced all the parts in the master cylinder and the caliper, still no change. I'm debating changing the brake line next but I've heard of brand new KTM's doing it. I think the Brembo caliper has a spot where an air bubble gets stuck.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Same, no change. My Nissin brakes on my 2006 Honda CRF450R never had an issue...

[@billschafer4087]

I can't believe this isn't a major recall. I may sell my 525exc because fug these brakes. 2x the front tried to kill me. 1x the back. Italian is dewki

[@MotorPsychoSport]

They should at least address the issue. I thought it was only bikes that have some age and miles on them but as others have commented, some KTM's did it fresh off the lot.

[@dsergison]

I agree it's lousy but the entire brake master from ANY bike will fit and works and cost like

[@frazzle657]

My KTM exc has a very spongey brake. I've bled it through well, cable tied it and it's fine for a few pulls and then it's spongey again. Can someone help me. I've heard the master cylinders are crap on them

[@MotorPsychoSport]

There has to be an air bubble stuck somewhere

[@Rick40years]

The 2023 ktm sxf seems to have no in between on the front brake. Meaning it entirely locks up when engaged. Any thoughts on this?

[@MotorPsychoSport]

It may start out that way and then over time that hard hit will soften. I jumped on a buddies brand new KTM and it made me feel like my 2012 500 EXC has drum brakes.

[@Wooskii1]

This just happened to me too ('18 300-XCW). I just bled the brakes, it's good now, but should I still leave s rubber band on the lever while im not riding? Even though the brakes are fine now? I missed a whole day riding because I had zero brakes when I went to ride, I really don't want this to be a common thing. Anyone know what the fix is? Also, I just bought a 2004 450-EXC and it had a mushy front brake, the kid I bought it from said he had no idea why it was like that and he bled the line. I ignored it (it was good enough) and now, for whatever random reason, it's firm like it should be. I didn't even do anything to it besides ride it once.

[@MotorPsychoSport]

I just leave the rubber band/zip tie on at all times so it's ready to go. I haven't found a fix yet. Debating on replacing the brake line to see if that fixes it permanently.

[@Wooskii1]

@@MotorPsychoSport Yeah, your tip has been a life saver- I've been doing the same thing on both my KTMs (both are Brembo) just in case and I also have had zero issues. If you find a real fix I would still be interested to know, but I'm fine with the Band-Aid solution (shuffling bikes around can be a tiny bit annoying)

[@ZacharyMayne-bw2yo]

Will this work on a Honda rebel cm250 been having this problem and using only back brakes lately

[@MotorPsychoSport]

I don't think so

[@crepoooz6974]

Should I try it on the rear brakes?

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Won't work I don't think

[@ronf9718]

NOPE.. Not even close

[@tatu301]

Just bought new ktm drove 15 hours, left for a ride to the store front brake don't work fuck ktm brakes..

[@MotorPsychoSport]

It's ridiculous. They need to fix it. Honestly on a KTM EXC that is street legal, it should be a recall.

[@trailrider9582]

My bike did it off the lot 😂

[@MotorPsychoSport]

Of course it did. Who needs a front brake anyway?