DJI Avinox M1 – in our big e-mountainbike motor group test

DJI rocketed straight to the top of the motor charts with their new Avinox drive. With its impressive specs, like a massive 120 Nm of torque, it promises a stellar performance. We’ve put it to the test in both real-world conditions and the lab, comparing it to the latest motors on the market, and now we’ll tell you if it’s really worth the hype.

This review forms part of our big ebike motor comparison test. Here you’ll find an overview of all 15 motors in review, along with lots of exciting background information, and helpful buying advice for your next purchase!

**DJI** Avinox | 120 Nm | 2,52 kg | Manufacturer’s website

With its Avinox motor system, chinese drone giant DJI caused a major stir at Eurobike 2024. Since then, it has become the number one topic of conversation in the cycling industry. DJI bring extensive expertise in developing small, powerful electric motors, along with battery, connectivity, and app development, creating the ideal conditions to enter the e-mountain bike segment. And they’ve done just that: the new DJI Avinox motor boasts up to 120 Nm of torque and 1,000 watts peak power, single-handedly outshining the competition – at least on paper. Alongside the motor system, which includes a mid-drive motor, batteries, remotes, touch display, and an app, DJI also launched their own bike brand, AMFLOW. They introduced a high-performance e-mountain bike in two different configurations, both of which – so far exclusively – rely on the DJI Avinox motor system and feature 160/150 mm of suspension travel (front/rear). We’ve already tested the AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro for you.

DJI Avinox in detail – the connectivity marvel?

The core of the DJI Avinox motor system is its compact mid-drive motor, which delivers up to 120 Nm of torque and 1,000 watts of peak power in Boost mode. In normal mode, it still churns out 105 Nm and 850 watts. Despite having plenty of power, it’s compact and lightweight, tipping the scales at just 2.52 kg, which makes it several hundred grams lighter and slightly smaller than its key competitors. For example, the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor weighs 2.8 kg. The DJI motor draws its power from either a 600 Wh or 800-Wh battery, both of which were developed in-house. The 600 Wh version weighs 2.9 kg, while the 800 Wh battery comes in at a lightweight 3.7 kg, offering a relatively high energy density of 216 Wh/kg compared to the competition, resulting in a better weight-to-capacity ratio. Unlike other brands, DJI have not yet introduced a range extender. In addition to the standard charger, there is also a high-performance charger, which cuts charging time by about half. Before our test rides, we had a chance to use the high-performance charger which took around 1.5 hours to charge the battery from 0 to 75%. The charger is also small and lightweight, making it easy to carry in a hip pack or smaller backpack for recharging on the go.

The DJI Avinox motor is paired with either a 600-Wh or an 800-Wh battery, both of which offer a relatively high energy density compared to the competition.

DJI also produce the displays and remotes in-house. The 2″ OLED display, which is similar to the one of the TQ motor system, can be integrated seamlessly into the top tube. It’s the only display in this test that features a touchscreen. The touch functionality works even better than on modern smartphones and can be operated while wearing gloves too. Muck and water splashes don’t affect its performance either. Additionally, the display is packed with features, including a GPS sensor, barometer, gyroscopic sensors, and numerous connectivity options like ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.1, allowing you to precisely track your rides and store the data on the 8 GB internal memory or the matching app. It also displays various metrics like heart rate and calorie consumption, provided you connect it to compatible devices like a chest strap.

The ergonomic remote on the left side of the handlebars can be used to switch between riding modes, and to activate walk and boost modes…

… and on the right side, you can cycle through the various display screens without having to take your hands off the handlebars.

The DJI touch display is seamlessly integrated into the frame and offers a wide range of functions.

The motor system can be controlled either via the touch display or the handlebar remotes. DJI opted for two small remotes that are positioned discreetly on the left and right sides of the handlebars, blending seamlessly into the overall design with their minimalist construction. On the left, you can switch between riding modes, and activate walk and boost modes, while on the right, you can cycle through the numerous functions and screens on the display, even while riding, without taking your hands off the handlebars. In terms of feel and haptics, the remotes impress with their high-quality build and excellent ergonomics – top notch!

But a great motor system is nothing without a comprehensive and user-friendly app. We know that DJI can create intuitive apps for drone control, but is this also the case with their e-bike drive? Absolutely! Despite its countless features, the app is easy and intuitive to navigate, and even beginners will quickly get the hang of it. You can customise the interface to suit your preferences or adjust the ride modes in various parameters, such as torque, overrun duration, pedal sensitivity, and starting power. Thanks to the integrated GPS sensor, you can locate your bike, and the smartphone acts as the key, disabling motor functions – just like Bosch’s anti-theft function. The advantage? Unlike Bosch, everything is included, and there’s no need to subscribe to access the full range of features. However, when it comes to navigation, Bosch still have the edge: the DJI Avinox app doesn’t offer this function. You can only track activities and upload them to third-party apps like Strava. The software features we mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg; listing all the app’s functions would go beyond the scope of this review.

The DJI Avinox app offers countless features, yet it remains easy to use and is intuitive to navigate.

The six riding modes can be customised in numerous parameters to suit individual preferences. Tech enthusiasts will be in their element, while beginners won’t feel overwhelmed.

DJI Avinox on test – the ultimate allrounder?

While riding, you can switch between six assistance levels. In the highest support mode, turbo mode, the motor provides powerful support, effortlessly shuttling you up even the steepest climbs without breaking a sweat. With a strong pedalling effort, you can even maintain speeds close to the 25 km/h limit in steeper sections. In this regard, even the most powerful motors in this test, like the Bosch Performance CX (Gen4 and 5) and Yamaha PW-X3, can’t compete with the DJI Avinox. No matter how hard you push it to its limit, the motor continues to deliver more support without ever hitting a plateau. This is further confirmed by lab tests: while the mechanical output of most other full-power motors levels off between 550 and 600 watts, the DJI Avinox curve continues to rise, reaching up to 750 watts.

DJI manage to unite supposed opposites, offering brute power while ensuring that the Avinox motor is easy to control without feeling abrupt, which is the case with the Brose Drive S Mag and the Yamaha PW-X3. This means that the bike never jolts forward if you accidentally hit the pedals, which is especially useful on technical climbs, allowing you to start off smoothly without the rear wheel slipping. Even on loose surfaces and wet roots, the DJI Avinox motor effectively transfers power to the ground with minimal slippage, pushing you steadily towards the summit. The DJI impresses with its natural riding characteristics and doesn’t overwhelm beginners.

The comprehensive app allows you to quickly adjust the assistance levels to suit your preferences, even mid-ride. For instance, the motor’s overrun can be set from barely noticeable to very long in any riding mode. This extended overrun can help push you over rocks and obstacles on technical climbs where you can’t pedal. When coasting back on a cycle path, the motor support doesn’t cut off abruptly at the 25 km/h limit but gently fades out, almost imperceptibly.

As far as noise levels go, you can hear a faint electric whine when the motor is under full load, which is similar to the noise of the Bosch Performance Line CX and Shimano EP801. However, it’s a noise that doesn’t distract you from riding. If you dial back the assistance levels, the motor is barely audible, and the noise is easily drowned out by the sound of the tires.

Conclusions about the DJI Avinox motor system

It’s not just the specs of the DJI Avinox motor system that impressed us. In practice, the drive system proves to be a superb all-rounder for a wide range of applications, appealing to both beginners and advanced riders alike. When it comes to power and control, the DJI Avinox motor outshines the big dogs in the e-bike drive segment, and in terms of software and connectivity features, DJI play in a different league with their highly intuitive app and countless functions. Well deserved Best in Test award!

Tops

Massive power and excellent control
Well-rounded overall concept
Sensitive and responsive performance
Intuitive app with countless features

Flops

Currently available exclusively in AMFLOW bikes

For more information visit dji.com

The test field

For an overview of our big ebike motor comparison test click here

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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Peter Walker