Bosch Assistance Modes Explained

As Bosch has continued to evolve their eBike systems, they have added new assistance modes to give you new ways to enjoy your ebike. But it’s not always immediately obvious what differers between each mode, and not all Bosch eBike systems can have all the assistance modes loaded onto them. In this guide, we will help you to understand what modes can be loaded onto your bike and which ones will be best for your needs.

Identify your motor system

BES2 or Smart System (BES3)

First things first. You will need to identify whether your eBike uses the currently Smart System (BES3) or the older BES2 system architecture. You can do this by identifying the remote and or display your eBike is fitted with. 

BES2 Displays and Remotes

The image below shows the different BES2 remotes and displays. If you can see the one fitted on your bike here, then have a BES2 eBike.

BES2 display names – Intuvia (not Intuvia 100) – Purion – Kiox (not Kiox 300) – Nyon (BUI275) – Nyon (BUI350) – COBI (not pictured)

Smart System (BES3) Displays and Remotes

The image below shows the different Smart System (BES3) remotes and displays. If you can see the one fitted on your bike here, then you have a Smart System eBike.

Smart System Display and Remote names – System Remote – Mini Remote – LED Remote – Kiox 300 – Intuvia 100 – SmartphoneGrip

Which motor do you have?

You will also need to identify the motor your eBike has. To do this, take a look at the badge on the side of your motor. It should say the name of your motor. Now you have identified your motor’s system and motor, you can look through the charts below to see which modes are compatible with your eBike.

The Modes

Off

No support, all on-board computer functions can be accessed

Eco

Low level support with maximum efficiency for the greatest range.

In Eco riding mode, you only receive a small amount of support, but this increases the maximum range accordingly.

Tour

Uniform support for rides with long ranges.

The Tour riding mode impresses with its smooth support on rides.

This allows large ranges to be covered.

Tour+

Smooth incremental support for energy-saving riding and a natural riding
sensation for sporty rides.

Focus on the ride – without having to switch between riding modes.

Enjoy a natural riding sensation thanks to the motor’s responsive delivery of power.

Enjoy lengthy rides by stepping up your own

Auto

Auto works quite unlike any of the other Bosch modes. Auto adjusts the amount of assistance to try and maintain the bikes current speed rather than using the rider pedaling input to dictact the amount of assistnace.

Automatic adjustment of support in response to a drop in speed, due to
climbs or sudden headwinds.

No need to manually switch riding modes on hills or in headwinds.

Optimal support, up to maximum Turbo or Cargo, for longer riding enjoyment.

Adapt the riding mode to your needs, using the slide control in the eBike Flow app.

Sport

With the Sport riding mode you get powerful support for universal use.

This riding mode is ideally suited for both sporty riding and for brisk commuting in city traffic and speedily gets you to your destination.

eMTB

Dynamic support for a natural riding sensation and optimum control when
eMountain biking.

More control in all riding environments thanks to the motor’s excellent power delivery.

Roots and rocks won’t slow you down, thanks to Extended Boost.

Ease into hill starts with powerful riding support.

Turbo

The Turbo riding mode offers you direct, maximum power support up to the highest cadences for steep ascents.

Cargo

Maximum support for eCargo bikes with up to 400 % of your own pedal
power and optimum start-up behaviour – even when carrying a full load.

This mode delivers up to 400% of your own pedal power – ideal for heavy loads.

Experience smoother starts and safer handling, even when carrying heavy loads.

Individual adaptation of the riding mode in the eBike Flow app.

Only available on CX Cargo motors

Race

Specially designed for eMTB racing, the ride mode impresses with energetic direct support, delivering up to 400% of your own pedal force.

Exclusively for the Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition in combination with the System Controller and the Mini Remote
developed for use in eMTB races

Extended Boost in Race mode: With longer thrust

Bosch Mode Terminology

Standard and Dynamic Modes

Bosch offer two main groups of assistance modes, standard and dynamic. All modes except Auto work by increasing the amount of power the motor produces as you increase the power you as a rider put into the pedals. Standard modes do this in a very predictable and linear fashion. Dynamic modes on the other hand do this in a more progressive way. Auto is unique in that it adjust your assistance to try and maintain your current speed rather than relying on rider pedaling input. The chart below shows this quite well. eMTB and Tour+ are dynamic. All other modes on the chart are standard.

Extended Boost

Extended Boost is a fascinating feature, that really only Bosch have started to explore. During the early days of eBikes, it was common to have a delay between the rider’s peddling input and the motor assistance. This meant that when you stopped peddling, the motor would continue to provide assistance for a brief moment.

On many modern motors, this ‘lag’ has been reduced to almost nothing. But Bosch has taken a different approach on this and now tune the amount of ‘lag’, or as Bosch put it ‘Extended Boost’ to help the rider negotiate difficult terrain. eMTB has some Extended Boost over other modes, which can be very useful when climbing rough technical routes.

Also, if you are lucky enough to have a CX Race motor, the Race mode has lots of Extended Boost. This can allow the rider to ascend technical climbs that would otherwise be out of reach, but it certainly can be a handful to control at times.

Customise Modes with eBike Flow

Bosch have kindly made a pretty handy video on mode customization in the eBike Flow app.

Mode Comaprison Charts

Smart System (BES3) Mode Comparison

Viewing on mobile? This chart may display better in landscape

BES2 Mode Comparison