Just picked up an '03 model and the brake hand lever is wicked stiff and the front brakes barely work.Is it because of the cold and if so can they be lubed or does it need new ones to be put in?

 

Welcome to the forums.
You'll need a cable luber (thing that clamps on the cable) and some lube (WD40 works).
If you can get lube thru them, good. If not, you'll need new.
The pins that go thru the backing plate get tight. Might want to clean/lube those as well.

 

Thanks for the info,never knew such an item was available.

 

I went through the same problem when I picked up my kids 03 KFX80 last year. The front brakes were so stiff "I" could barely pull them let alone my 6yr old. After taking the original cables off and seeing how bad a shape they were in from all the dirt and crud that had gotten into them I just ended up replacing with a new set I picked up off Ebay. Much easier pull now and he's able to bring it to a stop in short time

 

Going to see what the local Suzuki dealer charges vs. eBay,a co-worker is good friends with the parts manager and says I can get the "discount" price.