New 2025 YT DECOY on test – What’s Next for the DECOY?

There were plenty of reasons to like the old YT DECOY – and even more to finally give it an overhaul. Now, the new YT DECOY 2025 has arrived, equipped with the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5, 180/170 mm of travel, and a mullet setup. But how much of the hunter spirit remains in the new DECOY? We put the e-MTB to the test and chased it hard across the trails.

Good things take time… and in this case, it took six years. Since its debut back in 2019, the YT DECOY built a reputation as an eMTB that offers uncompromising trail fun at a fair price. A bike that wasn’t just the hunter, but also the hunted – chased by the competition, by rapid tech development and, eventually, by time itself. Because YT Industries took a full six years to update their full-power eMTB. And let’s be honest, it was long overdue.

Now it’s here. With the new 2025 YT DECOY, YT are using the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor system for the first time. A first for the German direct-to-consumer brand, which, until now, relied on FAZUA for the YT DECOY SN 29 and SN MX, or Shimano drive for the previous DECOY MX. With 20 mm more travel up front, an extra 5 mm at the rear, a mullet wheel configuration and a more downhill-focused geometry, the new 2025 DECOY isn’t built for leisurely tours. It’s made to hunt – no compromises. The DECOY CORE 4 spec variant we tested retails at € 8,999, and tips the scales at 23.4 kg in size L.

So, was it worth the wait? We put the new 2025 YT DECOY through its paces across roots, drops and rock gardens to find out how it fares on the trail.

The new 2025 YT DECOY in detail

The 2025 DECOY stays true to YT’s distinctive design language. Compared to its predecessor, the carbon frame looks a touch sharper and more angular, but visually it blends in perfectly with the rest of the line-up. The Platinum White paint job is easy on the eye, and the overall proportions are spot on. The only visual outlier is the bulky-looking bottom bracket area, which really stands out.

From a technical point of view, the updated design impresses with the clean cable routing. All lines disappear neatly into the frame, and are clamped behind the head tube. This not only keeps things quiet on the trail but also makes maintenance less of a pain. The generously sized chainstay protector extends all the way over the seat stays and does a great job of damping chain slap. The skid plate extends high up the downtube, providing solid protection for the Bosch motor against rock strikes.. A handy detail: there’s a tool mount under the top tube with space for a multitool, CO₂ cartridge or a mini pump.

The spec of the new 2025 YT DECOY CORE 4

The new 2025 YT DECOY is powered by a Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor, which delivers 85 Nm of torque and 600 watts peak power. Thanks to the latest update, the Bosch Flow app lets you boost it to 100 Nm of torque and 750 watts of peak power. The 800 Wh PowerTube battery is permanently integrated into the down tube. YT had a hand in the battery mount design and added rubber bushings between the battery and the frame. This helps prevent the power connector between motor and battery from coming loose with heavy impacts and in deep compressions, a problem that had occurred in some cases. YT also put thought into the charging port: the cover uses a rotating bayonet-style closure system that seals it off neatly, keeping water and dirt out. It’s easy to operate even with gloves, and in our view, it’s one of the best solutions currently available on the market. There’s still no range extender for the new 2025 YT DECOY, as the space inside the front triangle is taken up by a small 475 ml water bottle, which comes included with the bike. The Bosch Kiox 400C display is seamlessly integrated into the top tube, includes a USB-C charging port, and is operated via the Mini Remote for intuitive control.

For the suspension, YT have gone with the proven FOX Factory series on their top-spec CORE 4 model. Up front, a FOX 38 Float Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper generates 180 mm of travel. At the rear, a FOX X2 Factory shock controls 170 mm of travel. With its revised monotube design, the new shock promises not only better sensitivity but also improved durability compared to its predecessor. Shifting is taken care of by the electronic SRAM XO Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which does away with the traditional mech hanger and delivers precise gear changes even under load. To stop the AXS battery cable, which is directly connected to the main battery, from ripping off during a crash, it’s protected with a heat-shrink sleeve. A small but clever touch! SRAM Maven Silver brakes with a 220 mm HS2 rotor up front and a 200 mm disc at the rear do stopping duties. There’s more than enough stopping power here, even for heavier riders tackling long, steep descents.

The YT Postman V2 dropper offers 200 mm of travel, can be fully inserted into the seat tube and provides plenty of freedom of movement on descents. The travel can also be adjusted by 5, 15 or 20 mm without the need for tools. Even in size XL, the post comes with 200 mm of travel as standard, which might be on the short side for taller riders. For the cockpit, YT chose Renthal’s 800 mm Fatbar 35 with matching Apex 35 stem. Our test bike comes with the carbon version of the Renthal bar. The new 2025 YT DECOY 2025 rolls on a DT Swiss HXC 1500 aluminium wheelset in a classic mullet setup, with a 29″ front wheel and 27.5″ wheel at the rear. Continental supply the rubber, with a front-specific Kryptotal Fr in the soft Super Soft compound and tough Enduro casing at the front and a Kryptotal Re in the firmer Soft compound and sturdy Downhill casing at the rear. In the stock build, however, the rear tire usually comes with the slightly lighter Enduro casing.

Tuning tip: none

Other build options for the new 2025 YT DECOY

The new YT DECOY is available in five sizes, S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 1.54 m and 2.02 m tall. As a nice touch, all sizes come equipped with the big 800 Wh battery.

The next step down from the CORE 4 flagship model we tested is the CORE 3 spec variant, which retails at € 7,999. Available in eye-catching Metallic Moss as well as a more understated BlackMagic finish, the YT DECOY CORE 3 features an Öhlins suspension, with an RXF38 m.3 fork and matching TTX22 m.2 coil shock. Instead of the Renthal cockpit found on the top model, this build comes with a bar/ stem combo from Title, and rolls on burly Crankbrothers Synthesis E-Bike Alloy wheels. The tires are identical to the CORE 4 model, including the Kryptotal Re rear tire with sturdy Downhill casing as standard. Shifting duties are handled by SRAM’s S1000 Transmission drivetrain, which marks the entry point into SRAM’s electronic groupsets. TRP DH-R EVO four-piston brakes do stopping duties, delivering consistent deceleration even on longer descents. According to YT, the CORE 3 in size L weighs in at 23.8 kg.

The € 6,999 CORE 2 model, available in either Powder Blue or Black Magic, comes equipped with a RockShox Select+ suspension consisting of a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and matching a RockShox Vivid Select+ air shock. It rolls on a DT Swiss H1900 mullet aluminium wheelset, fitted with the same Continental Kryptotal tires as the top model. Shifting is taken care of by a mechanical SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain, while TRP DH-R EVO four-piston brakes do stopping duties. According to YT, the DECOY CORE 2 weighs 23.9 kg in size L.

Retailing at € 5,999, the YT DECOY CORE 1 marks the entry point into the new 2025 DECOY line-up. Finished in Midnight White, this model comes equipped with a Marzocchi Bomber Z fork and Marzocchi Bomber Air shock. It rolls on WTB Sportterra Tough aluminium wheels and features a Shimano M6100 Deore drivetrain. SRAM DB8 Stealth four-piston brakes deliver reliable deceleration.

The geometry of the new 2025 YT DECOY

The new 2025 YT DECOY features balanced, well-rounded geometry. In size L, the reach comes in at a moderate 475 mm, with 445 mm chainstays across all sizes. The head angle is a slack 64°, while the seat angle sits at a comfortable and efficient 78.1°. A flip chip in the lower shock mount allows you to adjust the geometry between two settings: Regular and High. Switching between them changes the reach by ±6 mm, the chainstay length by ±2 mm, and both the seat and head angles by ±0.5°. The bike ships in the Regular setting.

Frame Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat Tube	385 mm	400 mm	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm
Top Tube	569 mm	591 mm	613 mm	635 mm	657 mm
Head Tube	100 mm	108 mm	116 mm	124 mm	132 mm
Head Angle	64°	64°	64°	64°	64°
Seat Angle	78.2°	78.1°	78.1°	78°	78°
Chainstay Length	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	32 mm	32 mm	32 mm	32 mm	32 mm
Wheelbase	1226 mm	1249 mm	1273 mm	1296 mm	1320 mm
Reach	435 mm	455 mm	475 mm	495 mm	515 mm
Stack	640 mm	648 mm	655 mm	662 mm	669 mm

The new 2025 YT DECOY on the trail

For this first test of the new 2025 DECOY, YT invited us to Poland – more precisely, to Bielsko-Biała, right on the trails of the EDR courses. Roots, steep descents, high-speed laps and technical climbs were all on the menu. We also gave the 2025 DECOY a few extra test days in the La Bresse bike park.

From the moment you swing a leg over the saddle, you’re pleasantly integrated into the frame. The sensitive suspension smooths out small bumps with ease, offering plenty of comfort on fire roads. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor delivers strong support, and thanks to the smart eMTB+ mode, it now puts that power to the ground more smoothly. Combined with the steep seat angle, the DECOY climbs efficiently and willingly, even on long ascents. Even in technical terrain, the bike is easy to control and the front wheel only lifts when things get really steep. It maintains good traction, even on wet and loose surfaces.

As you roll into the first trail, you feel nicely centred in the bike, with the tall front end inspiring confidence from the get go. Handling is intuitive, and makes you feel at ease from the get go. Even on technical terrain, the DECOY feels predictable and easy to control. With its moderate weight, the eMTB remains planted on the trail and can be pushed confidently into corners, helped by its low centre of gravity. The 2025 YT DECOY is agile but not playful, and prefers to charge through rough sections at speed than flicking through tight corners. On flatter, flowier trails, you quickly find yourself brushing up against the 25 km/h threshold, and the bike’s weight makes it tough to generate much extra speed beyond that limit.

As soon as things get fast, steep and technical, the 2025 DECOY really comes into its own. It’s impressively composed, and holds its line even at high speeds, remaining easy and intuitive to ride through rock gardens and rough trail sections. This is where the YT DECOY truly shines. With loads of grip, plenty of control and a big grin on your face, you’ll be flying down the trails.

This is partly due to the plush suspension, which soaks up pretty much everything, whether it’s nasty root carpets, sharp edges or big hits. During our test, we added a bit more low-speed compression than usual to make the suspension feel more direct and to better transfer rider input when pumping through rollers or pushing into corners. Even so, the DECOY remains very comfortable and handles heavy landings without breaking a sweat.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 YT DECOY?

The 2025 YT DECOY is built for riders who like to send it on the trail. With its burly spec, capable suspension and downhill-focused geometry, this eMTB is more than ready for regular bike park laps. In fact, the rougher the trail, the more at home the DECOY feels.

However, if you tend to hang out on flat, flowy singletracks or enjoy long-distance tours, the DECOY might be overkill. Both the suspension travel and weight are almost too much in that context, and the lighter, more agile YT DECOY SN 29 is likely the better choice.

Conclusions about the new 2025 YT DECOY

It was worth the wait! The new 2025 YT DECOY impresses with outstanding composure, a tough spec and a confident, capable feel on demanding trails. It soaks up big hits with ease and gives you loads of confidence on descents. On flatter, flowier trails, the weight and generous travel can feel like a bit of a drag. But if you prefer charging over playing, this is a seriously strong overall package– and the move to Bosch’s motor system is bound to attract plenty of new riders.

For more info, visit yt-industries.com.

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Benedikt Schmidt, Ale Di Lullo, YT Industries