M600 owners..
- Thread starter Lar
- Start date
FLX Roadster M600 metal gear with over 4000mi. I hardly notice the slight 'hum' even when riding alone in the desert with no other sound than my tires. I think the sound would be overridden by city noise. Definitely not vacuum cleaner loud. Extremely happy with the powerful performance. Will climb very steep hills. I would buy another FLX Roadster in a heartbeat if mine dies. Or replacement motor for $1000 installed.
Have seen some other videos where they test is similar and the pedals spin but if something interferes they will stop. It has a freewheel.. This is a better test imo and not loud enough to make me lose interest.
AHicks
Well-Known Member
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- USA
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- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
Assuming that the Ultra is similar when it comes to noise (later metal gear versions) I've found a lot the noise is about how hard the motor is working. With 150 miles on my new bike, I've also noticed it may be quieter now than when new. Not sure if they're all like that as I haven't read about anyone bringing that up.
Anyway, at the speeds I'm running (under 15mph generally) I don't feel the Ultra is all that noisy - nothing objectionable- and I'm picky as hell about things like that. My bet is, the 600, under similar conditions, would be no worse. Prior to getting this bike, I was concerned after watching and listening to those videos. Now, after riding for a while, I find the noise a non event. The wind in your ears will be louder in many cases. -Al
Anyway, at the speeds I'm running (under 15mph generally) I don't feel the Ultra is all that noisy - nothing objectionable- and I'm picky as hell about things like that. My bet is, the 600, under similar conditions, would be no worse. Prior to getting this bike, I was concerned after watching and listening to those videos. Now, after riding for a while, I find the noise a non event. The wind in your ears will be louder in many cases. -Al
This has a sound comparison of the ultra vs m600 at 31:30 - 40:00 but then he states the video makes it sound louder. BTW what bike do you have?
AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
After doing all the same research you are doing starting maybe 4 months before you started, I decided on a Rize RX Pro. The price is right, and they were only about 30 days out at the time. At about 150 miles now, controller has been dialed in just right for MY 'druthers using the programming cable, and I love it. Still messing with tires. Came with 26x4 knobbies. Switched those for some 26x4 street tires (Origin 8), and getting ready to switch to 26x3 street tires (Kenda Flame) mounted on the wide rims that came with the 4" tires. I've turned the bike into a hybrid street/trail/cruiser used 50% on road, 50% trail.
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Have you thought about getting a set of narrower rims for the flame? I'm wanting to get away from my 4" tire wheel set up. All that spinning weight makes it far from agile.
AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
No, not really. Guys are writing the wider rim help keep the 3" sidewalls stable, minimizing squirm. I mentioned somewhere that during the change from knobbies to street tires that the rims AND the tires seem remarkably light. I was impressed. This might be more of a factor if I were pushing this bike to it's limits, but for my application, which has a more practical approach (it's a great big cruiser, right?) I don't see the rim weight having much effect on my usage.
At the speeds I frequent most often (10-12mph) the gyroscopic effect on my tires and rims would far more likely be something you read about rather than something I might actually notice. -Al
At the speeds I frequent most often (10-12mph) the gyroscopic effect on my tires and rims would far more likely be something you read about rather than something I might actually notice. -Al
Ebiker33
Well-Known Member
For motor noise everything I have seen on video and in print it goes like this
From factory unmodified
Loudest to Less noise
M600 most noise
Ultra middle noise
BBS least noise
With modifications it changes, WW controller makes the ultra slightly less noisy, and the PEEK gear from Luna really helps the M600 have less noise.
The BBS is known to be the most silent of all the Bafang motors
When BBS02 was tested by Court on EBR he said he was surprised by how quiet it was.
Different people have different needs, but if you are looking for both power(120nm) and less noise the BBS02 is very good choice.
DOST is running that motor and so is the Biktrix Juggernaut Classic.
From factory unmodified
Loudest to Less noise
M600 most noise
Ultra middle noise
BBS least noise
With modifications it changes, WW controller makes the ultra slightly less noisy, and the PEEK gear from Luna really helps the M600 have less noise.
The BBS is known to be the most silent of all the Bafang motors
When BBS02 was tested by Court on EBR he said he was surprised by how quiet it was.
Different people have different needs, but if you are looking for both power(120nm) and less noise the BBS02 is very good choice.
DOST is running that motor and so is the Biktrix Juggernaut Classic.
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TomD
Well-Known Member
That's my video comparing to BBS01. M600 with metal reduction gear is LOUD, I'd say to the point of obnoxious. While others may not be able to hear you, you will hear it non-stop and will affect your sanity if you are sensitive to noise. Some say it's not so bad and gets quieter with time. Take that with a grain of salt as many of those claiming it wasn't so bad later upgraded to the quiet gear. Kepler referred to it as a "life altering experience." I have since obtained the M600 with quiet gear and would say while not quiet, it's quite tolerable. I also have the Bafang Ultra and do not find it objectionable either. In terms of performance, the M600 is just fine. The problem is some vendors like Luna have ruined the M600 with garbage programming which absolutely sucks at low PAS. It is fine at higher PAS. If you are looking at the Luna X1, I would not get the ludicrous upgrade. If you want a lighter build with a lot of power consider the full suspension carbon bike Watt Wagons is coming out with.
The BBS02 is appealing to me more so than the m600. I need a full suspension sub 60lbs (preferably low 50s) bike and doing my own build is not out of the question but would prefer an integrated battery. I don't have a bike I want to convert regardless so the cost ends up more than I want to pay and end up with a conversion.
The WW sounds interesting but carbon (luna included) is not my choice. Sound is a factor and I have decided if it's annoying to do the quiet gear if need be. Really just trying to get more general feedback like yours on the motor.
You might find that it becomes a factor if you haven't rode a lot off road though I notice it on the road when turning, leaning a little more into the turn helps but on the trail you need a quick response steering and not just for turns many times it's a series of small turns back and forth as in a rock garden but nothing wrong with what works for you..
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AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
I'm reminded that the term "off road" covers a LOT of different conditions as well. Some might be thinking loose rock (rock garden as you call it), others might be thinking packed limestone chips used on a rails to trails project. Then there's everything in between!
This old fart isn't likely going to need to be too concerned about real challenging conditions. I would much rather turn around and find something easier to ride!
I will say if the 4" are run too soft on pavement, they have a mind of their own with the self steering tendencies (especially the grippy street tires). First time I experienced that, I knew exactly what others were talking about when describing that tendency. To deal with that I found that air pressure was critical, with a pound of pressure capable making a noticeable difference. 3" tires arrived yesterday. We'll be trying those soon. -Al
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