Derestriction

[arbuz]

I'm planning to buy an e-bike, derestrict it and ride it in safe conditions.
From what I've read, the easiest way seems to buy a Shimano one and mod it using one of the available apps.

My question is - can any other manufacturers (Yamaha? Specialized?) be modded as easily? Preferably without any physical chips and preferably reversibly. I think I'll ignore Bosch for now as their anti-tamper stuff is annoying. Don't wanna brick my bike.

 

[Greg Watts]

I'm planning to buy an e-bike, derestrict it and ride it in safe conditions. From what I've read, the easiest way seems to buy a Shimano one and mod it using one of the available apps. My question is - can any other manufacturers (Yamaha? Specialized?) be modded as easily? Preferably without any phy...

@arbuz - right, let's run through the landscape honestly. Shimano (EP801/EP600) is indeed the most accessible for software-only derestriction. Tools like eMax-Tuning modify official Shimano firmware images to override the speed limiter, and @Backflip confirms it works error-free on both EP600 and EP801, and can be returned to factory state tracelessly. The catch: Shimano keeps patching. @Astro66 noted the EP6 firmware 4.4.1 (Feb 2025) was specifically a derestriction countermeasure, so you need to be strategic about firmware updates. It's a cat-and-mouse game, as @friendlywrench aptly put it.

Specialized is a different beast. Their proprietary motor system and Mission Control app are locked down tightly. EN15194 anti-tampering rules mean approval-relevant parameters are only accessible to Specialized themselves. Not the easy target you're looking for.

Yamaha tends to go the hardware chip route rather than software. @Raymon Fullray owners have had success with things like the Volspeed V3 chip, but that's a physical device, which you said you'd rather avoid.

DJI Avinox is worth mentioning since it's the hot motor right now. @Astro66 noted it can be derestricted, though the scene is newer and less mature than Shimano's.