Chinese drive-system specialist Bafang will pull the covers off production-ready versions of its M510RS and M560RS eMTB motors at the Italian Bike Festival, taking place in Misano from 4 to 6 September 2026.
Both units began life as concept motors shown to the trade at last year’s Eurobike, where they generated plenty of interest thanks to their sportier, race-focused tuning compared with Bafang’s existing trail-orientated systems. The Misano event will mark their first appearance as finished, ready-to-buy hardware, with the firm confirming that demo bikes fitted with the new motors will be available for journalists and dealers to ride on the surrounding roads and trails.
Details of exact power outputs, weight and torque figures for the production units have yet to be released, though Bafang has previously positioned the RS range as a step towards lighter, punchier assistance aimed at riders who want a more natural, bike-like feel on climbs and technical sections rather than outright grunt.
For UK riders, the launch is a reminder of how quickly the eMTB category is splitting into distinct disciplines. Where early e-bike motors were built primarily for comfort and range, a new wave of race-tuned systems – echoing the approach taken by Bosch, Shimano and Specialized’s in-house units – is now chasing the growing enduro and eEnduro racing scene taking hold across British trail centres and events such as the EWS-E rounds. Bafang’s move to bring the M510RS and M560RS to market suggests the Taiwanese-headquartered manufacturer wants a bigger slice of that performance-focused market, potentially putting pressure on established European motor suppliers on price as well as spec.
Full technical specifications and UK pricing are expected closer to the September show, with On Track set to report from Misano once demo rides are confirmed.
Sam Allcock is a digital PR entrepreneur and publisher with over two decades in SEO, content and media. He founded PR Fire, the pay-as-you-go press release distribution service, and has worked with brands including Red Bull, Nokia and Liverpool FC. He contributes to HuffPost, HubSpot and The London Economic, and owns a portfolio of news and media titles, of which On Track Magazine is one.
