The Bosch Smart System gives you a huge amount of control over how your e-bike rides — but only if you know what all the buttons actually do. Get familiar with the Bosch Smart System controls and your bike goes from "just a bike with a motor" to a genuinely smart machine that adapts to every ride. At Electric Bikes Brisbane we've been Brisbane's Bosch accredited e-bike specialist since 2013, and this guide is part of our Foundation Skills series for new riders. Sam demonstrates on the Focus Aventura 6.8 (Bosch Smart System, Kiox 300 display, LED Remote) — but everything here applies to any Bosch Smart System e-bike.
Watch the Full Controls Walkthrough
Prefer to watch Sam run through it live? Here's the full walkthrough — then read on for the detail.
Turning Your Bosch E-Bike On (and Off)
Turning the bike on couldn't be simpler: just tap the power button on the LED Remote. The bike boots up in the same power mode it was in when you last turned it off — in Sam's demo, that's Eco, the green mode. Straight away, the LED Remote shows you an approximate battery percentage (around 80% in the demo). If your bike has a Kiox 300 display, it shows a more precise figure — 87% on the same bike, in the same moment. For detailed battery planning, trust the display; the LED Remote is a quick at-a-glance guide.
The LED Remote — Every Button Explained
Plus (+) and Minus (−) — Changing Power Modes
These are the two most important buttons on the whole bike. Plus gives you more power; minus dials it back. You can change modes at any time while you're riding — no need to stop or even slow down. Sam's demo bike is programmed with eMTB and Tour+, but Bosch offers up to five power modes in total (the names vary depending on which motor you have). You can choose which modes are active using the eBike Flow app — but honestly, the bike works perfectly straight out of the box without touching a thing.
Colour-Coded Modes — No Display Required
Every power mode has its own distinct colour on the LED Remote. That means even if your display isn't working — or your bike doesn't have one — you can always tell which mode you're in just by the colour. On bikes fitted with a Kiox display, the display colours match the LED Remote exactly, so the two always agree.
Lights Button — Hold the Plus Key
Look closely at the plus button and you'll see a small light symbol on it. Hold it down (don't just tap) to toggle your lights on and off. The Kiox display confirms when your lights are active. This one only applies if your bike is fitted with integrated lights.
Walk Assist — Hold the Minus Key
The minus key has a small walking-man symbol on it. Walk assist activates when you hold the minus key and start moving the bike. The motor then propels the bike at up to 6km/h — just enough to take the weight while you steer it along. If you hold the button but don't start walking, it turns itself off. It's a lifesaver for steep pushes, getting out of a creek crossing, or shifting a fully loaded touring bike. (For the full rundown, see our walk assist guide.)
The Kiox 300 Display — Key Screens
The scroll buttons — the left and right arrows at the top of the display — let you move through the different screens. This works the same way across all Bosch displays: Purion 200, Intuvia 100, Kiox 300 and Kiox 500.
Battery Stats
This screen shows your precise battery percentage and estimated range — more accurate than the LED Remote's bar indicator. Use it for detailed ride planning before and during a ride.
Power and Cadence — Sam's Favourite Screen
This screen shows your own power input (in watts) alongside the motor's contribution. In Turbo mode with 100W of rider input, the Bosch motor adds 340% — meaning the motor is delivering 340W on top of your 100W. As Sam puts it, "it really makes you a very strong rider." The cadence reading is particularly handy for hill climbing — it helps you hold the 70+ RPM that Bosch motors are optimised for. (More on this in our hill climbing techniques guide.)
Range Predictions Per Mode
This screen shows your estimated remaining range in each active power mode — invaluable for long rides, touring, and the rail trail adventures around Brisbane and SE QLD. At any point mid-ride you can check it and drop down a mode if you're worried about running low.
Ride Data and Navigation
Keep scrolling and you'll find ride data screens (speed, distance, time, elevation). Navigation becomes available once you've connected the bike to the Bosch eBike Flow app.
Going Deeper — The Bosch eBike Flow App
The bike works brilliantly without ever opening the app — but if you want to go further, the Bosch eBike Flow app unlocks digital locking, battery lock (coming soon), and custom power mode tuning (adjust the take-up speed, max torque and assistance levels for each mode). It's especially popular with mountain bikers who want aggressive power delivery for technical trails. (See our Bosch eBike Flow app guide for the full walkthrough.) As Sam says: "You've got a world of playing at your fingertips and a huge amount of data and a lot of fun."
See It For Yourself — Book a Test Ride
The best way to get comfortable with Bosch Smart System controls is to try them in person. Our team at EBB in Milton walks every new rider through the controls before they leave the store — so you ride away confident. Come and see the Focus Aventura range and the rest of our Bosch Smart System e-bikes in the flesh.
Book a Test Ride Shop Bosch eBikes
Frequently Asked Questions — Bosch Smart System Controls
How do I turn on a Bosch Smart System e-bike?
Press (tap) the power button on the Bosch LED Remote. The bike starts up in the power mode it was last used. The LED Remote displays approximate battery level; the Kiox display (if fitted) shows a precise percentage.
How do I change power modes on a Bosch e-bike?
Use the plus (+) and minus (−) buttons on the LED Remote. Plus increases the assist level; minus decreases it. You can change modes at any time while riding — there is no need to stop. The current mode is shown by colour on both the LED Remote and the Kiox display.
How do I turn the lights on and off on a Bosch Smart System e-bike?
Hold the plus (+) button on the LED Remote — it has a light symbol on it. Hold (don't tap) to toggle integrated lights on and off. The Kiox display confirms when lights are active. Note: this function only applies to bikes fitted with integrated lighting.
How do I activate walk assist on a Bosch Smart System e-bike?
Hold down the minus (−) button on the LED Remote — it has a walking-man symbol. Follow the instruction shown on the display, then begin walking the bike while continuing to hold the button. Walk assist engages as you start moving, propelling the bike at up to 6km/h. If you hold the button without walking, the function cancels itself.
What does the power and cadence screen on the Kiox display show?
The power and cadence screen shows your real-time pedalling output in watts and your cadence in RPM, alongside the motor's contribution. In Turbo mode, the Bosch Smart System delivers 340% additional power on top of rider input — meaning 100W of rider effort receives 340W of additional motor support. Cadence is particularly useful for hill climbing, where maintaining above 70 RPM maximises motor efficiency.
What is the range prediction screen on a Bosch e-bike display?
The range prediction screen on the Kiox display shows estimated remaining range in each active power mode based on current battery level. It updates in real time as you ride. This screen is especially useful for long-distance touring and rail trail rides — it allows you to adjust your assist mode to conserve battery if needed.
