After our time on the Amflow Pro PL earlier this year, we were excited to test out the Amflow PL Pro again, equipped with the Avinox M1 motor – the motor that shook up the e-bike world with its massive power and feature set. Now, a few months on, Avinox has released a significant update for their M1 motor.
In response to tightening regulations in the US and EU, Avinox is pushing the envelope with its latest 2025 firmware (v00.11.03.04) and Avinox Ride App (v1.3.3). Riders can now access a full 1,000W of continuous peak power in Turbo, Trail, and Auto modes – a truly wild number, with no more short bursts or capped output. This update marks a 17.6% increase over the previous maximum peak power value.
Inside that compact 2.52 kg unit lies up to 120 Nm of torque, which is like no other motor we’ve ridden on the trail – you can check out our full review in issue #212 or online now. But with Avinox’s update, they have upgraded more than just power numbers. The upgrade also features increased personalised adjustability in each mode, customisable data fields on the display and even safeguards for reducing drivetrain wear and poor shifts – overall, the system works brilliantly.
Unlimited peak power in turbo, trail and auto modes
Forget temporary power boosts – the updated Avinox M1 now delivers up to 1,000W of continuous peak output across Turbo, Trail, and Auto modes. That’s a 17.6% increase over previous levels and is no longer limited to short bursts. With custom tuning now more flexible than ever, we’ve set Turbo to the full 1000W for max firepower. But for technical trail riding, we’ve dialled Auto back to 750W and 65Nm – more than enough torque for tricky climbs and tight lines, while also preserving battery life and maintaining traction in rough sections.
In addition to the continuous peak power updates, you can now adjust boost duration from 10–60 seconds. If you need a shot of power for that nasty pinch climb or trying to scale that unrideable wall, the new boost update has you covered. We’ve opted for the minimum 10-second setting – plenty for most punchy climbs and, if needed, you can hit it again. Crank it to 60 seconds, and you’re essentially in drag race mode with over 1,000W and 120Nm on tap. It’s intense – but the control is entirely in your hands.
Avinox M1 SmoothShift for pedal-free gear changes
Pairing the Avinox system with a SRAM AXS Transmission unlocks SmoothShift – letting you change gears without pedalling. It’s surprisingly intuitive and a genuine game changer. Once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back – we even caught ourselves trying it on analogue bikes, with predictable results (not recommended).
On fast, choppy descents where there’s no time or energy to pedal, it allows you to downshift ahead of a corner or feature, so you’re in the right gear to power out cleanly. The motor gently rotates the chainring to complete the shift. Simple, smart, and seriously useful – we loved this feature.
Avinox have also announced a new Chain Protection Mode, which reduces torque momentarily during shifts in order to ease the load on your chain and cassette. It’s subtle and barely noticeable, but should help extend component life over time – something we are keen for given the extra wear and tear on e-bike drivetrains. We’ll be keeping an eye on wear as our long-term testing continues.
On-screen tuning and battery life upgrades
Fumbling for your phone mid-ride? No thanks, we would definitely prefer to leave that in our pocket. The Avinox’s two-inch touchscreen now lets you adjust ride modes and motor settings directly on the bike. It’s quick and intuitive, and a huge plus when conditions change or you just want to tweak on the fly.
A new feature upgrade lets you cap charging at 70%, 80%, 95%, or 100% to protect battery longevity. With our Auto mode now dialled for efficiency, we’ve found that limiting max charge to 80–95% is more than enough for most rides – and a smart way to reduce battery stress if you’re not pushing for max range every outing.
Trail performance from Avinox M1 update
There is still nothing quite like the Avinox system in terms of ride feel, not just the power (which I have wound way back for many reasons) but for the intuitive and natural delivery of the power.
I still can’t get over how easily I am able to get used to the Avinox M1’s assistance. To date, the Specialized 3.1 motor and SRAM Powertrain motors have felt the most natural in their delivery, which becomes most apparent on technical climbs with lots of features where the rider must be on and off the power, ratcheting their way up and over obstacles.
The Avinox’s assistance, even dialled back to 750W (or 75% power) and 70Nm of torque, when in the Auto ride mode, is an absolute monster when it needs to be, and quite subtle when just riding at a mellow pace.
We absolutely love the introduction of SmoothShift which works in conjunction with a SRAM Transmission T-Type derailleur enabling riders to change gears without rotating their cranks or pedalling. Great in preparation for the next pinch or burst and ensuring you’re in the right gear when needed, this is a standout and something we find ourselves missing when on a bike without.
We’ve had some interesting chats within the team about how much power is too much, and the idea that cars and motorbikes are capable of far more than their users will ever need was something that resonated strongly.
Just because something has heaps of power doesn’t mean it’s the best choice – most users won’t be able or need to tap into that all the time. Perhaps it’s useful during a quick squirt on the fireroad overtaking your mates on mid-strength motors, but when your e-bike gets into the single track, skill and control comes into play.
Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love the power of the Avinox M1, but it’s the way the power is delivered, the on-bike adjustability, tuning and integration that really sets this motor apart – not its ability to drag race other e-bikers or sit in turbo all ride. After all, on the trails there are few opportunities to just sit in turbo and push as hard as you can.
Our Take on the new Avinox M1 updates
It’s easy to get excited about these huge new numbers that the Avinox M1 sports – after all they’re a category leader based on those metrics alone. However, it’s the myriad of smaller features which we really came to love – SmoothShift, Chain Protection Mode and Battery saver features really highlight that DJI are listening to consumer feedback and working to make the Avinox M1 the motor of choice for more e-bikers.
