Bafang M600 Mid-Drive eBike Motor Review (All the Facts)
I have the Bafang M600 mid-drive motor on my eBike. Bafang is known for producing highly-reliable motors. However, it is always best to take a look at a motor’s pros and cons to determine if it would meet your needs.
The Bafang M600 is a mid-drive motor with a rated power of 500W. This motor can deliver up to 120 Nm torque, making it easier to climb up decent-sized inclines. However, this electric bike motor is quite heavy, weighing about 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg).
Pros of Buying the Bafang M600 eBike Motor
- One good thing about the Bafang M600 mid-drive electric bike motor is its continuous 500W of power, which can increase up to 1000W of peak output when needed. The 500W continuous power is enough to propel your electric bike down a smooth road. This motor also works pretty well when riding your eBike on rough pavements or up decent-sized inclines. The Bafang M600 will give you the confidence to ride your eBike on different terrains, allowing you to have an enjoyable riding experience.
- Another great feature of the Bafang M600 eBike motor is its torque. This mid-drive motor can provide up to 120 Nm torque. Remember, the torque of an electric bike motor measures its ability to rotate the wheels of your electric bike. So, with 120 Nm torque at hand, it would be easier for you to climb slopes or get your eBike to move when carrying a heavy load. To learn more about eBike torque, check out our article “Electric Bike Torque: The Ultimate Guide To eBike Torque.”
- The fact that this is a mid-drive eBike motor is an advantage. Since the motor is placed at the center of the electric bike, its weight will be properly distributed throughout your ride. Therefore, your electric bike is more balanced, enabling you to ride more comfortably. If you are interested in learning more about mid-drive and hub-drive electric bike motors, you can check out our article “Hub Motor Vs. Mid-Drive Motor (The Real Difference).”
- The Bafang M600 mid-drive eBike motor has a triple sensor system composed of two speed sensors and an integrated torque sensor. These sensors help turn on the pedal assist of your electric bike. The speed sensors set the assistance level being produced according to how fast you are going. In contrast, the torque sensor sets the assistance according to your effort in pedaling. With this triple sensor system, the motor will provide great support when riding, allowing you to have a smoother and more comfortable ride.
- The Bafang M600 mid-drive electric bike motor is rated IP X5. That means the motor can withstand sustained and low-pressure water jets at different angles, or light and moderate rain. Therefore, as long as you do not submerge or soak the motor in water, the motor will work perfectly well.
- The motor can be used for eSpeed, eCargo, and eMTBs. As a result, the Bafang M600 works great on both light and heavy eBikes. Moreover, this motor will perform competently when you ride on different terrains, whether smooth or rough.
- Another good thing about the Bafang M600 mid-drive electric bike motor is that you have the option to add an eBrake function to it. The eBrake, referred to as an emergency brake, keeps your electric bike steady and motionless when parked.
- Bafang is a well-known company that creates incredibly reliable electric bike motors. Hence, you can expect the Bafang M600 mid-drive motor to perform well in different riding conditions.
Cons of Buying Bafang M600 eBike Motor
- One of the downsides of the Bafang M600 mid-drive electric bike motor is its weight, which is around 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg). For some, this weight might not be too heavy, but 8.6 Ibs. is still 8.6 Ibs. and is a lot to add to your eBike’s overall weight.
- Most eBike riders put too much importance on the noise that an electric bike motor creates. Though the motor is not too loud, the Bafang M600 still makes some noise. However, the noise level is less than 55 dB. Hence, you will only hear a moderate level of sound – not too quiet and not too noisy. The noise it produces is similar to what you can expect in a normal conversation at a distance of 3.28 ft. (1 meter), which is not irritating to hear.
You can take a look at the video below to listen to the Bafang M600 noise test.
How Do I Program My Bafang M600?
As a general rule, programming a Bafang M600 eBike is quite tricky. You must have the proper knowledge to do it, so you should therefore consult a professional mechanic prior to attempting it. However, you can read the Bafang programming steps here.
“Nothing is perfect in this world, everything has its pros and cons.”
-Nivendita Sharma
Is Bafang a Good Motor?
As a whole, Bafang is a good motor. The company was officially started in 2003. Having been in the market for almost two decades, they are now considered one of the well-known electric bike motor manufacturers.
What makes Bafang motors good is their reliability and efficiency. They are known to have excellent performance. In addition, they provide incredibly impressive pedal assist, which will be more than sufficient for your needs.
Bafang manufactures different motor models for various eBike types, including eMTBs, eCargo, eTour, eRoad, and eCity bikes. For instance, some Bafang motors for eCity bikes are the M300, H600, and H400B, whereas some motors for eMTBs are the H640, M600, and M410.
These eBike motors offer different power and torque, depending on your needs. The nominal rated power of Bafang motors ranges between 200W and 1000W, and their torque ranges from 28 Nm to 160 Nm. The Bafang eBike motors with a rated power of between 200 and 350W are good enough for eBikes riding on smooth roads such as eCity and eTour electric bikes. On the other hand, motors with rated power between 500W and 1000W are good enough for eMTBs and eCargo bikes. Some Bafang motors with a rated power of 1000W and 160 Nm torque are the Bafang M615 and Bafang M620.
Bafang motors can also be classified as mid-drive, rear-drive, or front-drive motors. The mid-drive motors are placed at the center of your eBike near the crank, the rear-drive is placed in the rear wheel, and the front-drive is placed in the front wheel.
Bafang is also known for selling electric bike motor conversion kits for riders who wish to customize their eBikes or convert their regular bikes. Here are some of the Bafang eBike motor conversion kits you can buy on Amazon.
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How Long Does a Bafang Motor Last?
On average, a Bafang electric bike motor lasts about 10,000-20,000 miles when properly used and maintained. Regardless of the brand, mid-drive eBike motors tend to have a longer lifespan than hub-drive motors.
Electric bike components, including the motor, wear and tear naturally over a particular time. However, usage and maintenance significantly affect the lifespan of your motor. A well-maintained motor will likely last longer than an improperly-maintained one. Hence, it would be best to follow the recommendations found in your owner’s manual.
Hub motors have a shorter lifespan than mid-drive motors because of their locations. These motors are placed either at your electric bike’s front or rear wheel, adding their weight to the wheel mass. Because of that, you might observe an improper weight distribution in your eBike, which can stress out your motor.
To learn more about the difference between mid-drive and hub motors, check out our article, “Hub Motor Vs. Mid-Drive Motor (The Real Difference)”
If you are interested in comparing the Bafang M600 and the Bafang M620, check out our article “Bafang Ultra (M620) vs. Bafang M600 (All Specs Compared).”
