Bosch Performance CX motor noise?

[vvanders]

Recently upgraded to a Powerfly 9 FS(which is awesome!), one thing that I wasn't expecting relative to our other Bosch e-bikes is how noisy the Performance CX motor is. Even on the first couple levels of assist it sounds like an angry RC car. Easily louder than the tire noise on either pavement or gravel.

On our other bikes with the standard Bosch are near silent except at full output levels, is that noise level normal?

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Yes.
Embrace the noise
It annoys analogue riders

 

[Roy D]

Both our 9.8 and 9.7 have it real bad. After a few hours of riding I forget it’s there. The cx power is worth the noise.

 

[stonedwolf]

When I had Smart Sam tyres on, almost no noise.

With Eddy Current and (likely a mistake) Tannus tube inserts, massive high-pitched struggling-to-exist noise.

 

[Stihldog]

My PF5 cx motor is noticeably louder than the free wheel hub or tires (on the road). The sound becomes un-noticeable after I ride for several minutes …but it’s still there.
My Rail 9.7 (2020) is a different story. It’s been quiet from the beginning and is still quiet today even though I’ve abused it (submerged several times, smashed, mudd, drops, …blah blah blah) and I’m reaching 15k kms in the past 3 years. The PF5 HT has a tenth of the kms and a fraction of the abuse, but it’s motor is noisy …I can’t explain it. I’m hoping that the cx motor, on the PF5 HT needs some more “breaking-in”.