Can you hear that collective rumbling? That’s the sound of a gazillion electric mountain bikes being launched at the same time with the new Avinox M2 motor.
Yep, tech brand DJI is back with its second-generation drive unit, and it’s ready to blow the market to smithereens just like it did back in 2024 when it unveiled the ludicrously powerful M1 motor and the Amflow PL Carbon that was built around it.
Having established the M1 as the motor that every e-MTB enthusiast wanted, DJI (now simply referred to just as ‘Avinox’, likely due to the US government banning the sale of DJI drones) has been quietly working away in the background on developing a new version. Well, it’s actually developed two new motors because today it announces both the M2 and M2S. Both share the same external shape as the original M1, but offer way more power in a package that’s claimed to be quieter and more thermally efficient. On top of that, we’ve got some new battery options too.
There are some pretty wild numbers going on here, so let’s dive into all the juicy tech details.
The Avinox M2 & M2S motors are brand new for this year, boasting more power and quieter performance in the same size package as the M1.
Avinox M2S motor
The new Avinox M2 motor is split into two versions. There’s the standard M2 motor, and then the more premium M2S. If we were to take a guess, the ‘S’ would stand for ‘Sport‘, ‘Supercharged‘, or ‘See Ya Later Suckers!‘.
That’s because the M2S is capable of delivering up to 130Nm of torque and 1,300W of peak power in the standard assist modes. In Boost mode, you’ll get up to 150Nm of torque and 1,300-1,500W of peak power for up to 60 seconds at a time. Was this a motor designed for e-MTBs or an interplanetary space shuttle?
Despite the huge increase in power and torque over the M1 motor (which only ever achieved a pathetic 120Nm and 1,000W), the M2S retains the same compact form factor and it’s barely heavier at a claimed 2.65kg.
Extra heat sinks on the outside and new temperature sensors on the inside aim to keep the motor cool when it’s running flat-out.
The internals are all-new with flat copper wire winding helping to increase power density. New helical gears were necessary to handle the higher loads, and they’re also said to reduce general motor noise. Furthermore, a move to a dual-engagement system is claimed to reduce backlash, which is good to hear because we had encountered some clacking noises going on with the old M1 motor when freewheeling on rough descents.
Avinox says the new motor is able to dissipate heat more effectively, so it can maintain its power output for longer when riding in hot conditions, good news for Aussie riders. And lastly, there’s been a change to a sealed bearing for the bottom bracket spindle that’s claimed to be lower drag when you’re pedalling unassisted.
The Avinox system retains its 42pt speed sensor at the rear wheel. This is a big part of why traction control is so good with this motor.
Avinox M2 motor
Sitting underneath the M2S is the new M2 motor. This features much of the same technology, albeit with a slightly cheaper construction and a bit less power. Even still, it produces more punch than the original M1.
In the standard riding modes you’ll get up to 110Nm of torque and 1,100W of peak power. Hit the Boost button and peak torque swells to 125Nm.
The main internal difference we can ascertain from the spec sheet is the copper wire winding. The M2 uses a standard round gauge rather than the flat wire found in the M2S, which would explain the lower power density.
Otherwise, the M2 benefits from all the same upgrades. It features helical gears and a dual-engagement system to reduce noise and backlash, improved heat dissipation courtesy of the updated construction and new temperature sensors, and reduced drag through the pedals.
As mentioned earlier, both the M2 and M2S drive units carry over the same external shape as the old M1 motor. The mounting design is unchanged, so they will mostly fit into existing frames designed around the original Avinox M1 drive unit. However, it’s worth noting that the M2/M2S motors also feature a new wiring harness to handle the extra power. If you did want to upgrade your existing Avinox bike to the new M2/M2S motor, you’d need to get the new wiring harness as well.
The Avinox 800Wh internal battery is impressively light at just 3.77kg.
New 700Wh & 800Wh battery options
Alongside the M2 and M2S motors, Avinox will have three battery options.
There’s a new 800Wh RS battery that has been specifically designed for frames that allow the battery to be easily removed. It is physically bigger in size and features a thicker and more durable casing that will be more resistant to damage. Claimed weight is 4kg, so it’s still very light given the capacity.
In comparison, the existing 800Wh battery (which carries over) has a thinner casing and weighs less at 3.77kg. That makes it more delicate, and it’s really only meant to go into frames that bolt it in place inside a fully enclosed downtube (like the original Amflow PL Carbon and the Velduro Rogue).
There’s also a new, smaller 700Wh battery, which we understand will replace the previous 600Wh option. Claimed at just 3.18kg, it is incredibly light, making it the most energy-dense battery that Avinox has offered yet. Expect to see some SL-adjacent e-MTBs being launched with that option in the future.
For 2026 there will be a new 800Wh RS battery and a super-light 700Wh battery.
The majority of e-MTBs currently using the Avinox system (like the Mondraker Zendit shown here) will come with the 800Wh internal battery that bolts into the downtube.
It’s worth noting that the new 700Wh battery features different cell technology that allows it to be discharged faster. This results in a slight performance advantage when using Boost mode with the M2S motor. Instead of 1,300W of peak power, you’ll get 1,500W. Torque output remains the same regardless of which battery you’re using.
To keep those batteries topped up, there are two different chargers. There’s the Avinox Charger (4A/168W) and the Avinox Fast Charger (12A/508W). The latter will likely be supplied with most high-end bikes, and it’s claimed to charge the 800Wh battery from 0-80% in 1 hour 45 minutes, while the 700Wh battery will take just 1 hour 24 minutes.
No changes to the touchscreen interface, which acts as both a general cycling computer and as the control centre for the Avinox M2S motor.
User interface
There are no changes to the Avinox user interface, which is comprised of a top tube display and two wireless remotes.
You’ll still find a 2in OLED touchscreen that’s integrated into the frame. This acts as both a general cycling computer for recording your rides and as a control centre for the wider Avinox system. You can use it to adjust settings and tune the motor’s output via various parameters, including the start assist, max torque and motor overrun. It’s possible to adjust the Boost mode time limit from 10-60 seconds, or turn it off completely.
There are some new features that have been added, including Apple Find My integration, as well as the ability to pair the motor with your heart rate strap. Once configured to your target heart rate, the motor will automatically adapt its output to keep you in that zone. Pretty clever, and potentially a useful function for training athletes.
Those who are riding at night may also want to take a look at the optional Avinox 1200L front light that was introduced last year. It’s designed to be run off the bike’s internal battery, and it can be controlled using the wireless remotes. It may not have enough power for proper off-road night riding, but commuters will likely appreciate the neat integration.
What bikes will be coming with the Avinox M2 motor?
There is a flood of new e-MTBs coming out with the Avinox M2 motor, many of which are launching at the same time. Below is a list of bikes that we either have in the Flow test fleet right now, or are on the way. We’ll update this list with more bikes as they’re announced;
How does the new Avinox M2 motor perform?
Mick has already been testing the Avinox M2S motor, and you can read about his experience so far in the Mondraker Zendit review.
Mick has been frothing on the new Monraker Zendit, which comes with the ludicrously powerful Avinox M2S motor.
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