Top tips for fixing a soft or spongy motorcycle brake lever 

A soft or spongy motorcycle brake lever or pedal can be a recipe for disaster. But, in most instances, troubleshooting the underlying cause and fixing the issue is not a complicated procedure.

Bear in mind, however, your motorcycle’s braking system is critically important to your safety, so if you’re not mechanically minded or simply want added peace of mind, contact your preferred motorcycle technician to get the problem sorted.

If, however, you do have some mechanical nous, trusted motorcycle brake specialist Bendix Moto has some tips on diagnosing a spongy feel at your bike’s brake lever or pedal, along with the potential fix required to keep your road bike or dirt bike braking as it should.

Safe braking is critical for every vehicle, but especially when you’re on two wheels. One of the most important pre-ride checks a rider can do is to ensure their brakes are in good working order.

A spongy brake feel can be a symptom of serious brake issues, so it's important to know how to identify the problem before heading out on the road, trail, or track.

Spongy brakes can be caused by several issues, the most common being air in the braking system. The first thing to check is your brake fluid level, either by visually inspecting the master cylinder’s brake fluid reservoir, its sight glass window, or by removing the master cylinder cap.

Low or old brake fluid can be a major contributor to that spongy feeling when the brake lever or pedal is applied.

If the fluid level in the reservoir is low but a clean colour, the system may have sucked in air. If this is the case, the fluid will need topping up and the brakes should be bled.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, or your bike has a complex braking system (Honda’s Dual Combined Braking System, or DCBS, is an example), then bleeding the brakes is best left to the professionals.

If the brake fluid is dark and dirty, it’s time for replacement. For top-ups or flushes, be sure to use the correct type of Bendix brake fluid for your motorcycle.

Bendix offers both high-performance Polyglycol DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids – check your owner’s manual to see which fluid your bike requires.

Before replacing the brake fluid, inspect the bike’s braking system for any leaks. Take a close look at the condition of the brake lines and look for any perishing or swelling. Next, check the calipers and inspect for any fluid leakage at the fittings.

Finally, check for any wear, corrosion, and signs of leakage from the brake master cylinder. If any issues are found, they’ll need to be rectified before bleeding or replacing the brake fluid.

If no concerns have been found and new fluid and brake bleeding haven’t rectified the spongy lever feel, it’s time to check the pads and rotors. Worn pads can also contribute to a spongy brake feel.

To inspect the brake pads, loosen any pad retention hardware on the caliper and remove the brake caliper from the bike. This will allow you to inspect the condition of the components more closely.

Once you have access, look at the surface of the pads for signs of wear, including uneven wear or grooves. The pads should be replaced if worn down to the wear indicator or below the manufacturer’s recommended thickness.

You’ll also want to check for any glazing on the pads, which shows as a shiny, glazed surface. This occurs when the brake pads get too hot and the friction material hardens, reducing the pads’ effectiveness.

If it is time to replace the brake pads, the Bendix Moto range offers brake pads to suit a wide range of bikes, in either the Ultimate+ ceramic compound for the everyday commuter or casual rider, or the Street Road Track sintered compound for riders who like to push performance limits, or who ride heavier, higher-performance machines.

Worn pads can also cause rotors to wear excessively and warp so, as part of the inspection, check the rotors for these conditions and visit your mechanic or brake specialist if replacement is required.

Spongy brakes can be a serious safety issue, so addressing the problem as soon as possible is vitally important.

For more motorcycle brake tips and to check out the Bendix Moto range of Street Road Track and Ultimate+ brake pads, visit Bendix Moto and ride with confidence.