Bosch Gen4 motors
Bosch Gen 4 Tuning (2020 / 2021)
Bosch e-bike tuning: Here you will find tuning tools that are compatible with the new Bosch Gen4 e-bike motors. The special thing about these drive systems is that they have been equipped with special anti-tuning software. This software uses logic to detect whether the e-bike has been tuned. If this is the case, an emergency run is activated - this means that the error code 504 appears in the display and the motor support is greatly reduced to completely restricted. As a rider, you can restore full functionality by riding for 90 minutes in the down-regulated state. But after that, the anti-tuning software becomes active again. After the third recovery, the emergency mode can only be restored by a specialist dealer using Bosch diagnostic tools. The whole point is, of course, to prevent riders from tuning or manipulating their e-bikes in any way.
All tuning products for these engines in our shop
But fortunately, there are already a considerable number of special tuning tools that can outsmart the Bosch tuning detection. So now there are elegant solutions for the Bosch motors of the 2020/2021 generation, too, with which you can easily remove the annoying 25 km/h speed limit. All tuning tools for Bosch Gen4 drives that we carry in our shop have been tested on original Bosch Gen4 e-bikes. Please also note that Bosch Gen2 and Gen3 e-bikes with software version 1.8.4.0 from May 2019 onwards have also be equipped with tuning detection.
Note: The new Bosch Smart System 2022 e-bikes can now also be optimised. However, you will need special tuning tools for this. Simply enter "Bosch Smart System" in the search field and suitable tuning tools will be displayed.
Bosch Gen4 motors (2020 / 2021)
The most important Bosch Gen4 drives are revisions of already existing drive systems, namely the Performance Line and the Performance Line CX. Thus, the designation Bosch 2020 / 2021 is more a collective designation of the Gen4 models, although the actual product series such as "Performance Line CX" also existed before 2020.
Here is an overview of the Bosch Gen 4 drives:
Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 (MY20)
25 km/h / max. torque 85 Nm / max. pedal assistance 340% / support up to max. cadence: > 120 rpm. Compared to the previous model, this motor has greater dynamics and even less pedalling resistance. It is also lighter and much more compact.
Bosch Performance Line Speed Gen 4 (MY20)
45 km/h / max. torque 85 Nm / max. pedalling assistance 340% / support up to max. cadence: > 120 rpm
Bosch Cargo Line Gen 4 (MY20)
25 km/h / max torque 85 Nm / max pedal assistance 400% / support up to max. cadence: > 120 rpm. The Cargo Line drives have been specially designed for e-cargobikes that have to transport large loads.
Bosch Cargo Line Speed Gen 4 (MY20)
45 km/h / max. torque 85 Nm / max. pedal assistance 400% / support up to max. cadence: > 120 rpm.
The new Bosch Performance Line 2020 drive is very dynamic and is primarily aimed at amateur sportsmen and women as well as commuters, trekking and touring cyclists. When switched off or at speeds above 25 km/h, hardly any pedalling resistance is said to be felt with this motor. The "Performance Cruise" drive unit has a torque of 65 Nm and is now even equipped with an eMTB mode. With a support of up to 300%, this drive can really impress.
The extremely powerful, robust Bosch Performance Line CX drives, on the other hand, have been specially tailored to the requirements of e-mountain bikes. The Performance CX 2020 motor is much more compact than its predecessor and the weight has also been greatly reduced, from previously 4 to just 2.9 kilograms. At the same time, the maximum assistance level has been increased from 300% to 340%, making it even easier to master steep climbs. Here, too, there is said to be no pedalling resistance at all at speeds above 25 km/h.
A few tips:
1) Many tuning tools for the new Bosch Gen4 motors offer the option to set the level of maximum motor assistance to an individual value. However, most tuning manufacturers advise limiting the maximum motor assistance to 33-35 km/h at the most. At higher values, it is possible that the Bosch anti-tuning software may kick in and detect the tuning. It is usually possible to set higher values with the tuning tools - but this is done at your own risk. According to the current state of knowledge, we therefore recommend that you do not permanently optimise above 35 km/h.
2) Basically, we recommend being very careful with Bosch updates, even with older models. In fact, we advise against updates in general; there is no obligation to carry out such updates. However, you should update the firmware of the Drive Unit (DU) from 1.0.2.0 to 1.0.3.0, as 504 errors (e.g. when driving at 20 km/h) are said to occur more frequently, apparently even without tuning products. It is not without reason that they say "Never change a winning team!”
Tuning tools for Bosch 2020 / 2021 (Gen4) e-bike drives
Here we have compiled the best tuning tools for Bosch 2020/2021 Gen4 e-bike drives. First and foremost the most comprehensive tool RedPed with control via a free iOS or Android app. The VOLspeed can be controlled very extensively via the respective Bosch display. Likewise the classic Bosch e-bike tuning tool: SpeedBox. A completely different approach: the current Badass Box for Bosch, the contactless alternative. Equally impressive is the sIMPLEk solution with the stick: a dongle with real speed on the display and some other features. Brand new is the PearTune 3 module, which removes the speed limit completely. The only thing missing so far is a solution in the area of Bosch software e-bike tuning...
Tip: These tuning tools also work with "old" Bosch motors (Gen2 and Gen3) on which the anti-tuning software was installed as part of updates, so they are downward compatible. Please also note that Bosch Gen2 and Gen3 e-bikes from May 2019 onwards with software version 1.8.4.0 have also been equipped with the tuning detection. However, this also means that for anyone with Bosch Gen2 and Gen3 motors, only the new e-bike tuning products for Bosch 2020/2021 (Gen4) motors really make sense....
In general: The tuning tools for Bosch Gen4 2020 / 2021 are compatible with the brand new Gen4 motors, but also with the old Gen2 and Gen3 drives (Bosch Active Line & Performance Line). They only do not work with Bosch Classic Line drives. They are not upward compatible with later firmwares.
What is the best tuning for Bosch engines?
This question is difficult to answer. It is always important to ask yourself from which perspective you are asking this question. If you want to be legally on the road again quickly, the badass box can be removed most quickly. If you have taken your pedelec completely out of public road traffic and only want to operate it far away from public road traffic and attach importance to operation via a smartphone, the RedPed is recommended.
