Eplus Flash — Software Ebike Tuning for Shimano EP801 & EP8 (No Hardware)
Eplus Flash is a pure software solution: it tunes your Shimano or Bosch motor via a PC cable with no hardware installed on the bike. The only tuning solution with GHOST mode — which hides the modification even inside the official Shimano E-TUBE Project app. One of the few options that is safe on the Shimano EP801 motor.
View Eplus Flash — official site£85 + £0.85/mo→Critical warning — Shimano EP801 compatibility
The Shimano EP801 (DU-EP801, released late 2022) is a fundamentally different motor from the EP8 (DU-EP800, 2020–2022). Hardware freeze kits — SpeedBox 1.3, VOLspeed — trigger error E295 on the EP801. After 4 occurrences, this becomes E299: permanent motor lock. (The external BadassBox 4 is safe — no electronic contact.)
E299 is not resettable at home. Reversal requires an authorised Shimano dealer, voids the warranty permanently, and carries significant labour cost.
Safe options for EP801: Eplus Flash, PearTune MSO 3.0, BadassBox 4 (external — no motor contact).
Our Eplus Flash verdict
How Eplus Flash works — software tuning explained
Almost every ebike tuning kit on the market is a hardware module: a small chip that intercepts the motor's speed signal and tricks it into thinking the wheel is spinning slower than it actually is. Eplus Flash takes a completely different approach. Nothing is physically installed on your bike.
Instead, you connect your ebike to a Windows PC via a USB diagnostic cable, open the Eplus Flash Home application, and the software communicates directly with the motor controller over the cable. It writes new tuning parameters into the motor's firmware memory. Once complete, you disconnect the cable and the bike is tuned. No chip, no bracket, no opened motor casing.
This approach has one major consequence: there is no physical object to find. Hardware kits can be discovered by opening the motor case. Eplus Flash leaves no trace a mechanic could pick up by looking inside the motor.
GHOST mode — hiding the modification from official apps
The GHOST feature goes one step further. After tuning, Eplus Flash can activate a mode that modifies how the motor responds to diagnostic queries from manufacturer apps — specifically Shimano E-TUBE Project and the Bosch eBike Flow app. When GHOST is active, those apps report the motor as unmodified even if a service technician connects them directly to the bike.
This is unique to Eplus Flash. No hardware kit can offer this: once a chip is inserted, the motor's firmware still reports its actual state to diagnostic tools. GHOST rewrites what the firmware reports.
Eplus Flash vs Eplus Advanced — two separate products
- Shimano EP801 (DU-EP801)
- Shimano EP8 (DU-EP800)
- Shimano EP6 (DU-EP600)
- Bosch Smart System Gen5 (BDU384Y)
- Bosch Smart System Gen4 (BES3)
- Giant SyncDrive (selected variants)
- OLI
- Bosch Gen4 (BDU37)
- Bosch Gen3 / Gen2
- Yamaha PW / PW-SE / PW-X / PW-X2
- Shimano EP8 (DU-EP800 only)
Eplus Flash vs PearTune MSO 3.0 for Shimano EP801
On the Shimano EP801, there are only two established safe solutions: Eplus Flash and PearTune MSO 3.0. Here is how they compare:
| Criterion | Eplus Flash | PearTune MSO 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | PC software | Hardware (wired, internal) |
| Price | £85 + £0.85/month | ~£149 one-off |
| Installation | PC + USB cable, ~20 min | Open motor, ~60 min |
| Physical trace | None (nothing on bike) | Detectable if motor opened |
| GHOST mode | Yes — hidden in E-TUBE Project | No |
| Shimano EP6 support | Yes | No |
| Mac compatible | No (Windows only) | Not applicable |
| Long-term cost | Subscription ongoing | One-off purchase |
Installation walkthrough — 5 steps
Estimated time: 15–30 minutes. You will need: a Windows PC and the USB diagnostic cable for your motor model.
- Download Eplus Flash Home: visit the official Eplus website and download the Windows installer. Run it and follow the on-screen setup.
- Get the correct cable: Eplus specifies which USB diagnostic cable is required for each supported motor. Shimano EP801 and EP8 use the Shimano diagnostic port; Bosch motors use a Bosch-specific cable. Check the compatibility page before ordering.
- Connect the bike: power on the ebike, connect the USB cable from the motor diagnostic port to your PC, then launch Eplus Flash Home. The software detects and displays the motor model automatically.
- Apply the tuning: complete the activation purchase (£85 one-off) within the app, then confirm the tuning operation. The software writes new parameters to the motor firmware. Do not disconnect during this step.
- Activate GHOST mode: in the application settings, enable GHOST mode before disconnecting. This prevents E-TUBE Project and eBike Flow from revealing the tuning state. Disconnect the cable and restart the bike.
Kit comparison — Eplus Flash vs alternatives
Eplus Flash vs other EP801-compatible tuning options
| Kit | Install type | Speed display | Detection risk | Price (approx.) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eplus Flash | PC software (no hardware) | Real speed ✓ | Virtually none | £85 + £0.85/mo | Buy → |
| PearTune MSO 3.0 | Internal (wired) | Real speed ✓ | Very low | ~£149 | Buy → |
| SpeedBox 1.3 | Internal (wired) | Real speed ✓ | Low | £149-189 | Buy → |
| SpeedBox 1.6 B.Tuning | Internal (wired) | Real speed ✓ | Very low | £169-229 | Buy → |
For Bosch Smart System motors without an EP801, see also SpeedBox 1.6 B.Tuning. For tool-free external installation on Bosch and Yamaha motors, the BadassBox is the closest alternative — but it is not compatible with EP801 or EP8.
Legal notice: off-road use only. In the United Kingdom, assisted electric bikes are limited to 15.5 mph on public roads under the Highway Act 1988. Using a tuned ebike on public roads may constitute an offence. This page is for informational purposes only.
Eplus Flash FAQ
What exactly does Eplus Flash do — does it install hardware on my bike?
Is Eplus Flash safe on the Shimano EP801 motor?
What is the GHOST mode and why does it matter?
How much does Eplus Flash cost and what does the subscription cover?
What motors are compatible with Eplus Flash?
What is the difference between Eplus Flash and Eplus Advanced?
Do I need a Windows PC, and what cable do I use?
Ready to tune your Shimano EP801 or EP8?
Eplus Flash is the only software-only solution with GHOST mode — no hardware, no chip, no trace in E-TUBE Project. Compatible with Shimano EP801, EP8, EP6 and Bosch Smart System.