Tuning for Yamaha branded bikes? (2019 Urban Rush spec) **solved**

WattsUpDude

Well-Known Member
Region
USA
City
San Francisco, Bay Area
I’m looking to unlock my Urban Rush. I see a few people that have purchased from Speedbox. The links I’ve found no longer link to the product that they’ve purchased. And I made an inquiry from one of the sales reps on the site. Here’s the response I received:
“Hello,
I regret to inform you that we are not able to tune such bike.

Kind regards,
Jiri Voldan
Sales Representative”

So, riders with Yamaha bikes, might you have any other leads? I’d like to keep an accurate speedometer. And I’m perfectly happy with a Class 3 / 28 MPH cap.

Thank you!

***UPDATE HERE ***

Thanks again to @JDean for catching the update from Speedbox!
 
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Says works with PW SE motor, but what is not know is if it works with a Yamaha bike or a different brand bike with Yamaha motor.
Also note 2 versions.. on for light switch and one without.
Other brands available on this website.
I personally am not going to do this to my Yamaha equipped bike. Totally happy with 20mph limit. Best battery mileage is around 15mph. Your battery will go down fast.
 

Says works with PW SE motor, but what is not know is if it works with a Yamaha bike or a different brand bike with Yamaha motor.
Also note 2 versions.. on for light switch and one without.
Other brands available on this website.
I personally am not going to do this to my Yamaha equipped bike. Totally happy with 20mph limit. Best battery mileage is around 15mph. Your battery will go down fast.

Thanks for the info. I’m really trying to get some first hand experiences as I don’t want to put down a lot of money, take time to install, only to find out that it’s incompatible.

I’m quite happy with the Class 1 speeds as well but my biggest use for the bike is commuting. While it’s sufficient for city streets, it would be nice to cut down on the speed differential between the bike and car traffic on the faster sections. And I’m not worried about battery life as I still get home with 40% after a 30 mile round trip with a lot of hill climbing.
 
Thanks for the info. I’m really trying to get some first hand experiences as I don’t want to put down a lot of money, take time to install, only to find out that it’s incompatible.

I’m quite happy with the Class 1 speeds as well but my biggest use for the bike is commuting. While it’s sufficient for city streets, it would be nice to cut down on the speed differential between the bike and car traffic on the faster sections. And I’m not worried about battery life as I still get home with 40% after a 30 mile round trip with a lot of hill climbing.

Here is a good comparison of the options available for tuning Yamaha motors. ;)



 
Here is a good comparison of the options available for tuning Yamaha motors. ;)



That’s a lot of good reading. Thank you. It’s unfortunate that those products don’t ship to the USA.
 
I do not have first hand experience with Yamaha, but I have tuned two Bosch speed motors with Bikespeed RS with no problems.
I have had my Trek Super Commuter tuned since day 1 and have 31,000 problem free miles!
Per their website, it works with Yamaha motors.
 
I do not have first hand experience with Yamaha, but I have tuned two Bosch speed motors with Bikespeed RS with no problems.
I have had my Trek Super Commuter tuned since day 1 and have 31,000 problem free miles!
Per their website, it works with Yamaha motors.

Thanks. I had a look and they didn’t have one for my configuration. Seems like most of the tuning that supports the Yamaha PW-SE will only work with a connected display that is not used on the Yamaha branded bikes.

I did find a Speedbox 2.0 for Yamaha branded bikes from a US seller on EBay. It’s pricey but I purchased it. I’ll update this thread if anyone else is interested.
 
Thanks. I had a look and they didn’t have one for my configuration. Seems like most of the tuning that supports the Yamaha PW-SE will only work with a connected display that is not used on the Yamaha branded bikes.

I did find a Speedbox 2.0 for Yamaha branded bikes from a US seller on EBay. It’s pricey but I purchased it. I’ll update this thread if anyone else is interested.

Congrats on the Speedbox... you will appreciate the unrestricted speed. ;)

Here are a few additional options available at a lower price point on eBay.

 
I had a chance to install the Speedbox this morning and did a few tests. I’ve come to the conclusion that the speed sensor wiring is not functional.

I followed the Speedbox YouTube tutorial on installing it into a Yamaha motor. Everything went well and the button sequences to activate the device went as planned as the display showed 6.1MPH when activated. However, when the rear wheel is spinning, the display shows 0MPH. And when I go more than a few feet while on assist, the display shows “speed sensor check magnet”. This also disables the motor assist entirely when riding more than 3-5 MPH. When I reconnect the stock wiring, the speedometer functions normally, displays the correct speed and motor assist is at full power.

I’m hoping to get resolution to this. I’d really like for it to work. Reseller is sending a message about my issue to Speedbox.
 
Sorry to hear about your issue with the Speedbox. Keep working with the reseller to resolve the issue... the end result will be worth it. ;)
 
Got a message from the reseller:


“Hello,

Yes I did, unfounturly they said for me just to process the return. They are having major problems with the manufacturer blocking these modules from working on different firmware updates for this bike. They actually asked me to take down my listing because they are having so many problems with this bike style.

I am very sorry but i will give you a full refund. You just have to process the return via ebay and just say "you no longer want" and i will give you a shipping label as well.

Thanks Bxx”

So that may be why it’s no longer on the official Speedbox website. 😐
 
Got a message from the reseller:


“Hello,
Yes I did, unfortunately they said for me just to process the return. They are having major problems with the manufacturer blocking these modules from working on different firmware updates for this bike. They actually asked me to take down my listing because they are having so many problems with this bike style.
I am very sorry but i will give you a full refund. You just have to process the return via ebay and just say "you no longer want" and i will give you a shipping label as well.

Thanks Bxx”

So that may be why it’s no longer on the official Speedbox website. 😐

Well, at least the seller is upfront and willing to refund your money.

You may want to try the external tuning option that clips onto the speed sensor.

 
Well, at least the seller is upfront and willing to refund your money.

You may want to try the external tuning option that clips onto the speed sensor.


That’s the thing about the Yamaha branded bikes. The speed sensor is integrated into the rear wheel hub. Oh well. I can wait.
 
That’s the thing about the Yamaha branded bikes. The speed sensor is integrated into the rear wheel hub. Oh well. I can wait.
I know this thread ends in July of this year, but I would recommend that you look for the Pear Tune speed controller compatible with the latest Yamaha e-drives, via Ebay. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PearTune-M...191043?hash=item1a684040c3:g:INsAAOSwk8JeIGsH

I purchased my Pear Tune via this seller last month for my 2016 Haibike Full FatSix and am completely satisfied with the Pear Tune. Better yet, Katerina at Pear Tune was a pleasure to deal with. Note: 3 day shipment vs free shipping is highly recommended. Counting weekend days, got mine from the Czech Republic to the USA in about less then a week, a 19 or 20 dollars fee for FedEx shipping.

Installation is plug and play with the motor controller and the magnetic sensor wire runs found up underneath the motor. Just seeing how mine plugged into the rear spoke sensor wire plug, I can't imagine your newer Yamaha being any different. Care is required in setting those wires in the downtube and atop the motor. Go off by some of those youtube videos involving the installation of these chips and you'll see the mechanic just shoving that motor back into position. I found you need to ensure no wires are getting pinched by the motor as you maneuver it back up. Don't want an eclectrical short!!

Contact Kat with the questions you have prior to committing to buy and let us know here how it works out.
 

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I know this thread ends in July of this year, but I would recommend that you look for the Pear Tune speed controller compatible with the latest Yamaha e-drives, via Ebay. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PearTune-M...191043?hash=item1a684040c3:g:INsAAOSwk8JeIGsH

I purchased my Pear Tune via this seller last month for my 2016 Haibike Full FatSix and am completely satisfied with the Pear Tune. Better yet, Katerina at Pear Tune was a pleasure to deal with. Note: 3 day shipment vs free shipping is highly recommended. Counting weekend days, got mine from the Czech Republic to the USA in about less then a week, a 19 or 20 dollars fee for FedEx shipping.

Installation is plug and play with the motor controller and the magnetic sensor wire runs found up underneath the motor. Just seeing how mine plugged into the rear spoke sensor wire plug, I can't imagine your newer Yamaha being any different. Care is required in setting those wires in the downtube and atop the motor. Go off by some of those youtube videos involving the installation of these chips and you'll see the mechanic just shoving that motor back into position. I found you need to ensure no wires are getting pinched by the motor as you maneuver it back up. Don't want an eclectrical short!!

Contact Kat with the questions you have prior to committing to buy and let us know here how it works out.
I appreciate your post, Mike. I've read that the integrated speed sensor (in hub) adds complexity or that certain versions of Yamaha's firmware may lead to the tuners not playing well with Yamaha branded bikes. But it's definitely worth a conversation with Pear Tune.
 
I appreciate your post, Mike. I've read that the integrated speed sensor (in hub) adds complexity or that certain versions of Yamaha's firmware may lead to the tuners not playing well with Yamaha branded bikes. But it's definitely worth a conversation with Pear Tune.
WattsUp: You're welcome! What with alot of newer Yamaha owners coming onboard and wanting to derestrict their bikes (ummmmm, for testing purposes only, yeah, that's the ticket, for testing purposes! :) ), it'd be great if you could let us know how your conversation with PearTune went in regards to their device working with the new Yamaha rotor-installed magnet sensor.

That should clear up once and for all the questions folks have about what derestrictor actually works on these newer Yamahas.
 
Mike,

I'm confused about which PearTune to use and would appreciate it if you can point me in the right direction.

The description of the model you got (from your link) says it's for "PW-X/SE/TE/ST/X2 2019-21". But you have a 2016 bike, so why did you get this version of the PearTune which says it's for 2019-21 motors? It seems to me you should have gotten this "PW-X/SE and PW 2014-2018" PearTune version instead:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PearTune-M...154406?hash=item1a2e40e466:g:r4wAAOSwmWxeFlT0

I ask because I have a 2018 BH e-bike with a PW-X motor and that is the PearTune model I thought I needed to order. I tried contacting PearTune to confirm which version I need via e-bay messaging, but got no reply. How did you contact Katerina?

I'd appreciate any inputs you can provide...
 
Pine, the Pear Tune I linked for WattsUpDude is for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 models, as listed by Pear Tune on their Ebay ad.

The link you provided is the actual Pear Tune that I purchased from Kat and installed on the Full FatSix. Note in their descriptor line: "PearTune MSO Max Speed Off Yamaha PW-X/SE and PW 2014-2018 Pedelec E Bike Tuning". Looks to me that as well as fitting on my 2016 Yamaha PW, it also fits the PW-X.

Apologies for any confusion! As I had questions and wanted to confirm what I selected was the right part, I used the "Contact Seller" on ebay and got an answer from Kat within 24 hours before I committed to buy.

As a heads up, 3 day shipping via FedEx was paid via sending payment to her via Paypal, separate to the Ebay transaction. There is no provision within the actual ebay ad for expedited shipping; just free shipping with a longer wait time. Let me know how it works out for you. Since installing the Pear Tune, I always turn it on. Still, I average only 13 mph on my rides with the fat bike, but if there is a need for speed, it works great.
 
Mike, thanks for the reply!

Thanks to your clarification, I think I'm now clear on which model of the PearTune I will need for my 2018 Yamaha PW-X e-bike (the $139 PearTune version for 2014-2018 motors).

Now I just have to decide whether to get one. I have four motor mount bolts to remove on my BH bike in order to install a PearTune. One of them is behind the crank gear and while I can remove it with a long allen wrench (have to insert it at an angle), I can't get a torque wrench on it even with all the adapters I have. I don't have a tool to remove the crank gear (if I need one).

I've learned it's very important to torque the motor mount bolts to full spec or else creaking noises appear every time I push down on the pedals which is probably not good for the soft aluminum frame mounting holes which would have hard steel bolts rubbing against them.

I do mainly trail riding with my eMTB. Our state and county parks (I'm in Colorado Springs) only allow a max of 20 MPH (Class 1 e-bikes only), and that's fast enough for me on most trails anyway. So if I get a PearTune, it would be for the roads. I'm still considering getting one, but still thinking about if it's worth the effort for my situation.
 
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