From bouncing to braking: WP adds stopping power to its skill set

WP has spent decades being the suspension arm behind KTM and other high-end manufacturers. Now it wants a say in what actually stops the bikes, too. 

The Austrian firm has officially launched WP Braking Systems, introducing a new family of 19 brake components designed specifically for high-performance OEM applications.

This isn’t a dabble, with WP saying the move into brakes was driven by the need for a system engineered specifically around KTM’s requirements, rather than adapting third-party hardware. To do that, it’s assembled an in-house team of 11 brake specialists, each with more than 20 years’ experience, backed up by CAD development, prototyping and validation facilities at a 6,000 sqm production site.

The key phrase here is “full vertical integration”. WP is handling everything internally, from hose braiding and extrusion through to machining, anodising and final assembly. There’s even a dedicated 100-metre anodising line for surface finishes. Production capacity is set at around 300,000 brake systems and 1.5 million brake hoses per year, which gives a clear idea of the scale this project is targeting.

The hardware itself focuses heavily on weight reduction and thermal management, to deliver big-bike braking performance in large and small-capacity machines. One of the headline components is a new four-piston front radial caliper weighing just 740 grams. The caliper uses a compact, central bridge design to maximise stiffness while keeping the body narrow enough to work with spoked wheels.

Materials and finishes seem up to speed with the competition, with die-cast aluminium caliper bodies, hard-anodised aluminium pistons, EPDM square and dust seals, and a choice of sintered or organic pads. WP is also introducing a new radial master cylinder aimed at smaller engine classes, bringing race-derived tech to bikes that normally make do with simpler setups.

While the move is slated as coming about due to KTM requiring brakes that are built for purpose, it’s probably also got a lot to do with cost-cutting. KTM’s financial problems are getting smaller in the rear-view mirror, but they are definitely still in sight. Moving production in-house to the new arm of WP means KTM doesn’t have to buy in from Brembo or J.Juan. They may even be able to flog some systems to other manufacturers, another move that might help balance the books.

Find out more about WP Braking Systems on the official website.

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