AddMotoR MOTAN M-66 R7 Review

Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Electric Bike Review
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 1
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Addshox Triple Clamp Suspension Fork 80mm Travel
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Kenda Crusade Sport 20x4 Fat Tire
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Trendo By Spanninga Integrated Headlight
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Cockpit View Swept Back Handlebars
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Tektro Four Finger Brake Lever Integrated Flick Bell
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Twist Throttle Kill Switch Shimano Thumb Shifter
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Display Integrated Usb Charging Port
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Promax Tool Free Adjustable Stem
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Banana Seat Center Mounted Battery
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Plastic Downtube Mounted Footrest
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Ounce 170mm Crank Arms Alloy Chain Guide And Guard
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Extended Foot Peg
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Shimano Altus 1x7 Derailleur Alloy Derailleur Guard
Addmotor M 66 R7 14 28 Tooth Cassette Cast Alloy Wheels
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Battery Operated Taillight
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Rear Mounted Kickstand Passenger Foot Pegs
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Stock Step Thru White
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Electric Bike Review
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 1
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Addshox Triple Clamp Suspension Fork 80mm Travel
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Kenda Crusade Sport 20x4 Fat Tire
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Trendo By Spanninga Integrated Headlight
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Cockpit View Swept Back Handlebars
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Tektro Four Finger Brake Lever Integrated Flick Bell
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Twist Throttle Kill Switch Shimano Thumb Shifter
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Display Integrated Usb Charging Port
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Promax Tool Free Adjustable Stem
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Banana Seat Center Mounted Battery
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Plastic Downtube Mounted Footrest
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Ounce 170mm Crank Arms Alloy Chain Guide And Guard
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Extended Foot Peg
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Shimano Altus 1x7 Derailleur Alloy Derailleur Guard
Addmotor M 66 R7 14 28 Tooth Cassette Cast Alloy Wheels
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Battery Operated Taillight
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Rear Mounted Kickstand Passenger Foot Pegs
Addmotor Motan M 66 R7 Stock Step Thru White

Summary

  • The MOTAN M-66 R7 is a powerful, fast, and fun moped-style electric bike complete with passenger footpegs and a tool-free adjustable stem that makes it a breeze to adjust for riding with two people, lights and fenders are included with optional upgrades such as a rear rack or a backrest
  • Fat tires, Addshox suspension fork, and a soft banana-style seat make for a comfortable ride, high-speed riding feels exceptionally stable thanks to the low center of gravity and sturdy cast-alloy wheels, Kenda Krusade Sport tires can tackle any terrain
  • Tremendous amounts of power from the Bafang motor which is integrated into the wheel and thus surprisingly quiet, Class 2 by default but configurable as Class 3, 750 watts of power and 80 newton-meters of torque can handle steep hills and carrying two riders
  • Heavy and difficult to maneuver, the rear light is not integrated and must be turned on and off manually, the frame geometry makes for difficult pedaling especially for tall riders
Warning, in some configurations this electric bike is classified as a moped or motorcycle and may not be ridden on cycling trails or paths. It may require licensing, insurance and lights when used on public roads.

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

AddMotoR

Model:

MOTAN M-66 R7

Price:

$1,799

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Sand and Snow, Trail, Cruising, Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Worldwide

Model Year:

2020

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

74 lbs (33.56 kg) (27.53 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.0 lbs (3.17 kg) (3.54 kg)

Motor Weight:

10.5 lbs (4.76 kg) (4.6 kg)

Frame Material:

6060 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18 in (45.72 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

18” Virtual Seat Tube, 12” to 35” Reach, 16” Stand Over Height, 24.5" Width, 71” Length

Frame Types:

Step-Thru

Frame Colors:

White, Black

Frame Fork Details:

Addshox Spring Suspension Fork, Triple Clamp, 32.5mm Steel Stanchions, 80 mm Travel, Preload Adjust, Boost 135 mm Hub Spacing, 9 mm Skewer with Bolts

Frame Rear Details:

Boost 170 mm Hub Spacing, 12 mm Skewer with Bolts

Attachment Points:

Fender Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 Shimano Altus Derailleur, Shimano MF-TZ500-7 Cassette 14-28 Tooth

Shifter Details:

Shimano SIS Index Thumb Shifter on Right

Cranks:

Ounce, Alloy, 170 mm Length, 42 Tooth Chainring with Double-Sided Alloy Chain Guard

Pedals:

Wellgo Alloy Platform with Pins

Headset:

Neco, Threadless Internal Cups, Straight 1-1/8”

Stem:

Promax, Alloy, Adjustable Angle (-10º to 100º), Alloy, 110 mm Length, Four 10 mm Spacers

Handlebar:

Alloy, High-Rise, Swept Back, 620 mm Length

Brake Details:

Tektro Aries Mechanical Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Tektro Four-Finger Levers with Rubberized Edge and Motor Inhbitors

Grips:

Ergonomic, Stitched Faux Leather, Black

Saddle:

Banana Seat (23” x 8.5”), Faux Leather, Black

Rims:

Cast Alloy, Double Walled

Spokes:

6 Cast Alloy Arms with Reflectors

Tire Brand:

Kenda Krusade Sport, 20” x 4” (98-406)

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

5 to 30 PSI, 0.4 to 2.1 BAR

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Alloy Fenders, Alloy Derailleur Guard, Adjustable Length Rear Mounted Kickstand, Spanninga Trendo Integrated Headlight, Blaze-Lite Independent Detachable Taillight (Three AAA Batteries), Integrated Bell on Left Brake Lever Cluster, Alloy Passenger Foot Pegs

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube Mounted Battery Pack, 1.6 lb 2.5 Amp Charger

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bafang

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Torque:

80 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Panasonic

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11.6 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

556.8 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

55 miles (89 km)

Display Type:

AddMotoR branded LCD backlit Control Panel with Independent Button Pad, (Hold M to Power On, Hold Up Arrow to Cycle Through Average Speed and Max Speed, How Down Arrow to Activate Walk Mode, Hold Up Arrow and M to Activate Headlight and Backlight, Hold Up Arrow and Down Arrow to Enter Settings)

Readouts:

Speed, Average Speed, Max Speed, Assist Level (0-5), Battery Level (1-5), Odometer, Wattage Output, Lights

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad on Left, Buttons: Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Power, USB Type A Port Beneath Display (5 Volt, 500 mA)

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle (12 Magnet Disc)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(Possible Up to 25)


Written Review

To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by AddMotoR. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of AddMotoR products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the AddMotoR electric bike forums.

Pros:

  • Available in two frame colors with a one-year comprehensive warranty, and you get the option of buying directly from AddMotoR or visiting one of their dealers to test ride before purchasing
  • The M-66 R7 is a fun and exciting bike to ride with a distinct moped feel, the Bafang motor is powerful and responsive, and the fat tires can tackle any terrain. I appreciate that AddMotoR configures this Ebike to have full-throttle power available from any assist level, this is useful (and fun) if you are cruising slowly in a low assist level and suddenly need or want to accelerate
  • The motor is integrated inside the rear wheel which helps to reduce volume, and it really is quiet – I found I could hear the tires on the pavement more easily than I could hear the motor! It is rated for 750 watts which is the maximum in California, with a hefty 80 newton-meters of torque, and you can definitely feel the power as soon as you twist the throttle
  • The 20″ wheels are cast alloy which makes them very sturdy, not to mention never needing any spoke adjustments! The 20″ size also lends a mechanical advantage to both the brakes and the motor, making for easier stopping as well as faster acceleration
  • Good quality Panasonic cells in the 48 volts 11.6 amp-hour battery, which means a total capacity of 556 watt-hours. This provides good range that I estimate at 25-50 miles depending on terrain and assist level, and the battery mounting position under the seat helps to protect it from moisture if you get caught out in the rain
  • Nice bright lights are included on the front and rear, the Trendo by Spanninga headlight is integrated and draws power from the main battery and is operated from the main display. The rear light isn’t integrated which is less convenient, but it’s highly visible and I’m glad it is included
  • I love the Promax stem, it can be adjusted across a huge range in just a few seconds thanks to the tool-free design, just lift the clamp, reposition, and clamp it back down! This is a huge plus since you may want to adjust the handlebar positioning if you’re carrying a passenger (more on that ability later), or if you share this bike among differently-sized riders
  • The M-66 R7 ships as a Class 2 electric bike which means throttle or pedal-assist with a top speed of 20mph. However, the motor is more than powerful enough to handle Class 3 speeds of 28mph, and this can be configured in the settings – just make sure this is legal in your area first, and check with AddMotoR for help with the display settings since they can be a bit cryptic
  • I didn’t find myself pedaling and shifting gears a great deal, but when I did the experience was smooth and comfortable. The Shimano Altus derailleur is a bit higher tier than Shimano’s entry-level Tourney, the thumb shifters are easy to interact with even if you’re wearing heavy gloves, and I appreciate the guards on both ends: an alloy derailleur guard to protect against impacts and tip-over damage, and an alloy bash guard to protect the chain as well as prevent it from bouncing off
  • The ride comfort is excellent! The banana-style seat is soft and large so you can slide back and forth on it to find a comfortable seating position, you can use the tool-free adjustment clamp to position the handlebars wherever you want, and the suspension fork + the fat tires do a great job of smoothing out bumps. The Addshox suspension fork has 80mm of travel and is adjustable for compression and preload, I’m a big fan of the triple-clamp design for sturdiness as well as aesthetics
  • Kenda Krusade Sport tires have great traction and performance, you can drop them down as low as 5 PSI to tackle snow, sand, and other soft terrain
  • Included front and rear fenders constructed from aluminum alloy, which keeps them lightweight and durable as well as resisting the dings and rust that can accumulate on steel fenders
  • I think AddMotoR did a great job with their control cable management, wrapping up cables in a heavy-duty plastic shield to keep them consolidated and providing plenty of cable length up front so that the cables never restrict how you can adjust the stem and handlebars. Cabling on the rest of the bike is either internally routed or hidden well
  • The brakes here do a great job, they are Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors, and they’re fairly easy to actuate thanks to the combined mechanical advantages of 4-finger brake levers and the smaller 20″ wheels. Motor inhibitors are included and cut power to the motor as soon as you squeeze either lever, a good and necessary feature on such a heavy cadence-sensor-based Ebike
  • AddMotoR has added some new comfort features that were not on previous versions of this bike, the first of which is a plastic footrest on the downtube, allowing you to rest your feet there instead of leaving them on the pedals if you are riding on just the throttle. The second feature is rear footpegs that fold down so that you can carry a passenger! With a weight limit of 350 pounds you can pretty easily fit two people on the large banana seat, but as the “driver” you have to scoot pretty far forward which can make pedaling difficult, so you’ll certainly appreciate that front footrest when riding double
  • The twist throttle includes a kill switch toggle, definitely appreciated on such a powerful Ebike, make sure you use it to disable the motor when moving the bike around in the garage or at a bike rack
  • The display includes a USB type-A port on the bottom, great for charging mobile devices on the go! Unfortunately, it only provides power at 0.5 amps, which means it can charge Android devices but not Apple
  • You can charge the battery on the bike or off, and when on the bike the charge port is located up high and well out of reach of the crank arms, which prevents accidental damage if the bike gets moved around while charging. Similarly, the kickstand is rear-mounted and out of the way of the cranks, so you can easily maneuver the bike with the kickstand down without it getting locked against the cranks

Cons:

  • Only available in one frame size, the large banana seat and adjustable stem means it can accommodate a wide range of riders, but tall people (like me) will still find pedaling uncomfortable. On the other end of the spectrum, small riders will be able to sit comfortably but may struggle with the size and weight of the bike
  • The M-66 R7 is one heavy Ebike at 74 pounds, there are a lot of heavy components here including the cast alloy wheels, big banana seat, and of course that hefty 750-watt motor. This weight makes it a difficult Ebike to maneuver in tight spaces, and if you ever run out of battery power when you’re away from home… be prepared for a workout pedaling back! Of course, the positive trade-off here is that the M-66 R7 is very sturdy and feels powerful and stable, even at high speeds on rough terrain
  • The frame geometry makes for an awkward and uncomfortable pedaling experience, particularly for us long-legged humans. I’m 6’3″ tall, and I could get a comfortable seating position by scooting all the way back on the seat, but still wasn’t able to get close to full leg extensions on the pedals. It was adequate when riding with pedal assist, but pedaling without assistance became unpleasant fairly quickly
  • The gearing range of 14-28 teeth is pretty limited which also affects pedaling comfort, making it harder to start when you are completely stopped, and limiting how fast you can get going on the high end. Of course, the powerful motor and on-demand throttle effectively negates both of these issues… as long as you have battery capacity remaining! You’re probably sensing a trend here, which is “don’t run out of battery far away from home!”
  • The tires don’t include any puncture protection which is always a bummer to me, but I do live in an area with a lot of natural puncture hazards. Fortunately, you can add puncture protection fairly cheaply, although if you opt for adding liners that can be a bit of a pain on the rear tire thanks to the integrated motor
  • I’m glad that fenders are included and they do a great job of protecting the bike itself, but only a moderate job of protecting the rider. I would love to see both of them be just a bit longer to provide some extra coverage
  • The rear light is not integrated which means that you must remember to turn it on and off manually, and change out the AA batteries periodically… but hey, it’s still better than no rear light!
  • Mechanical brakes require more frequent maintenance compared to hydraulic, which mostly means regularly tightening them as the cables stretch over time. There is also a bit of a delay when braking particularly for the rear wheel, and they require more grip strength to actuate. This grip strength factor is mostly mitigated on the M-66 R7 thanks to the large four-finger levers and smaller 20″ wheels which provide a mechanical advantage
  • The cadence sensor is high resolution with 12 magnets, but it is unsealed, which leaves it vulnerable to damage and magnets getting knocked out. If you start to notice any strange behavior from pedal assistance, check your cadence sensor first!
  • I mentioned how much I love the Promax stem, just keep in mind that these tool-free stems do tend to loosen a bit over time so check and tighten it with the appropriate tools every few months

Useful Resources:

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Comments (15) YouTube Comments

John
4 years ago

how big of a rider will this bike handle

  Reply
Tyson Roehrkasse
4 years ago

The official weight limit is 350 pounds. I was able to sit comfortably on it and I’m pretty tall at 6’3″. Sitting was great, but pedaling was pretty difficult – definitely easier to ride like a moped if you are tall!

  Reply
John
4 years ago

I weigh 280 lbs I’m 5’10” I should be ok then. Its a large battery and can purchase another one.

John
4 years ago

There is a larger battery and what would be the largest.

shaine pendergraft
4 years ago

im about 6foot and one inches could this bike be good for me ?

tmh
4 years ago

Thank you Tyson for doing some very thorough reviews, which are both informative and enjoyable to watch. You are definitely an asset to the EBR review team. I appreciate your perspectives as a taller rider.

Watching this review makes me more excited about receiving the Juiced HyperScorpion I have pre-ordered for my wife, although now it looks like delivery on those won’t be at least until June.

  Reply
Tyson Roehrkasse
4 years ago

Thank you! Happy to do it, I’m having a blast :) Juiced HyperScorpion looks awesome too! We’re hoping to get our hands on some of their bikes soon.

  Reply
Andrew Busch
4 years ago

If it went faster, I would buy it.

  Reply
Court
4 years ago

Fair enough! Thanks for the comment, Andrew :)

  Reply
peter nichols
3 years ago

Hold On!! I have been very pleased with this bike until I have had to deal with addmotor support. I have had the M66 R7 for a little over a year before I needed support. The kick stand just froze and refused to function. I contacted addmotor and they said that would be $35 for a new kickstand. I disassembled the kickstand and found out that the problem was a plastic part had broken. This small plastic part is about the size of my thumb nail. I contacted addmotor support looking for the part and was told to contact sales at addmotor. Neither has been any help and [email protected] never responded. Makes me dread to think of some serious trouble. A bit of irony is that the kickstand that addmotor parts wants $35 for is available on Amazon for $13. So much for customer after sales SUPPORT.

  Reply
Court
3 years ago

Hmm, that’s kind of frustrating. Good job figuring out the problem and trying to avoid waste by fixing the little plastic piece vs. the entire stand. I realize that’s not always an option, glad you found one on Amazon for less…

  Reply
derbusa
3 years ago

Decided to repair the failed part with metal innards like it should have been from the factory. Addmotor is not being helpful in my efforts to find out who designed and manufactured the part. I get the distinct impression that after the one year warranty that you are on your own and they won’t help.

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