E-bike tuning - for e-bikes/pedelecs with motors of the YAMAHA PW series
YAMAHA - FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
YAMAHA - The "Powerdrive" (PW) motor from 2014 was continuously developed further in the following years and modified for the needs of various e-bikes and pedelecs. YAMAHA thus also reacted to trends that kept changing the global market. But the competition also drove the Japanese manufacturers to innovate, as the Bosch Performance CX in particular caused a sensation worldwide. YAMAHA reacted to this with the PW-X, which, despite its lighter construction, still provided powerful outdoor pleasure. The latest development is the YAMAHA PW-X3 motor, which came onto the market in 2022. It was supposed to prevent tuning by software, but the protection did not last long.
THE YAMAHA ENGINES OF THE PW SERIES
YAMAHA PW-X
The ultimate motor for e-mountain bikes, delivering a whopping 80 Nm in EXPW mode. "Pure Ride" was the motto that YAMAHA proclaimed for this motor.
Year of manufacture: 2017
Torque: 80 Nm
Five riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High, ExtraPower
Weight: 3.1 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
YAMAHA PW-ST
The latest version of the sporty all-rounder PW-SE. The new all-rounder from the Japanese manufacturer and suitable for any surface.
Year of manufacture: 2020
Torque: 70 Nm
Five riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High, Automatic Support Mode
Weight: 3.4 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
YAMAHA PW-TE
With the PW-TE, the further development of the classic PW entered its third generation. New was the "Automatic Support Mode", which was an intuitive support for all riders.
Year of manufacture: 2019
Torque: 60 Nm
Four riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High
Weight: 3.4 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
YAMAHA PW-X3
Smaller, lighter, but with more torque. The next generation of the well-known drive unit from YAMAHA. Came on the market with software against tuning, but this can already be bypassed.
Year of manufacture: 2022
Torque: 85 Nm
Five riding modes: EXPW, HIGH, STD, ECO and +ECO
Weight: 2.75 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
YAMAHA PW-X2
With this motor, YAMAHA was able to outdo the celebrated PW-X once again. It came on the market with both 250 and 500 W, offered support up to 45 km/h and was thus suitable for S-bikes and pedelecs.
Year of manufacture: 2019
Torque: 80 Nm
Five riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High, ExtraPower
3-sensor technology
Support up to 25 or 45 km/h
YAMAHA PW-SE
The "Sports Edition" (SE) of the popular PW engine, which this model was designed to replace as an all-rounder. Suitable for city, trekking, cross and as an entry-level model for mountain bikers.
Year of manufacture: 2017
Torque: 80 Nm
Four riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High
Weight: 3.5 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
YAMAHA PW-CE
Lighter, quieter and more compact - these are the arguments for the YAMAHA PW-CE, which weighs less than three kilograms. The walk assist function even supports pushing the e-bike uphill or under load. The "Automatic Support Mode" makes life easier for beginners in particular.
Year of manufacture: 2020
Torque: 50 Nm
Five riding modes: Eco+, Eco, Standard, High, Automatic Support Mode
Weight: 2.9 kg
Support up to 25 km/h
THESE MANUFACTURERS OFFER TUNING FOR THE PW SERIES
VOLSPEED
TLI Elektronik GmbH from Ehekirchen in Bavaria offers state-of-the-art tuning modules for YAMAHA engines under the label "VOLspeed". These modules do not require a PC or smartphone, all settings can be made via the various displays. Another special feature is the "dynamic mode", which softens the so-called "wall effect".
BADASS
E-bike and pedelec tuning from Lower Franconia. The so-called Badass Box is not installed on the motor, but simply attached from the outside and works with many YAMAHA motors of the PW series.
PEARTUNE
The Czech manufacturer builds tuning modules for the engines of many well-known manufacturers. They are characterised by clever functions such as a chip lock or the "Still On" mode. These features are also available for some YAMAHA engines and make PearTune very interesting.
POLINI
The Italians are the only manufacturers of e-bike and pedelec motors who also offer tuning modules. A module is available for the YAMAHA PW-X drive that is plugged directly into the motor and cannot be seen from the outside.
SPEEDBOX
The manufacturer from the Czech Republic has gained experience with the production of tuning chips since 2014. Its modules are installed directly on the engine and are suitable for many YAMAHA engines of the PW series.
WHAT TUNING VARIANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PW ENGINE?
At SIP Scootershop we offer the following tuning modules for the YAMAHA PW motor:
BOXES
These small boxes are plugged onto the sensor of the bike or pedelec and now this tool halves the transmitted speed, doubling the motor support. It is a wireless device that can be removed again in no time. Here, the manufacturer Badass is the market leader.
TUNINGMODULE
These small boxes contain a chip, are installed invisibly under the engine cover and clamped between the sensor and the control unit. The module can even be switched on or off via the display while driving. The latest modules, such as the Speedbox B, also have integrated app control via Bluetooth. The control and also the reading of the motor data can be done with the smartphone. However, tools are required for installation and removal. In the following, we will go into more detail about these modules.
The motors are controlled by a speed pulse that tells them how fast a pedelec or e-bike is travelling. If the pulse reaches 25 km/h, the motor switches off. However, if only every second signal of the impulse comes through, 50 km/h can be reached, because the motor is "fooled" into thinking it is travelling at a different speed. With cheap modules, the speedometer then simply displays half the speed.
More sophisticated chips are more advanced: they halve the impulse only from 23 km/h or, in some drives, they are directly connected to the data transmission between sensor and motor, so that the speedometer always shows the correct values. The most modern tuning modules, for example from VOLspeed or Speedbox, even display the total kilometres driven and average speeds correctly.
However, the software version of the bike and pedelec must also be kept in mind. A carelessly installed update from the manufacturer can abruptly end the tuning pleasure. Be careful, because the motor manufacturers and tuning experts are constantly playing a cat-and-mouse game.
Want to know more about e-bike tuning?
Here you will find all the information you need on the subject: Finding the right tuning module
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
It should be noted that the operation of this type of modified electric bicycle on public roads may be against the law in some countries. The dealer accepts no responsibility for any damage caused by the use of tuning products. Electric bicycles equipped with tuning products must not be used on public roads, cycle paths and squares. Electric bicycles equipped with tuning products may only be used on private property and at your own risk.