25 Grams: Why Josh Bardwell Ditched $40 Motors for $20 XING2
25 Grams: Why Josh Bardwell Ditched $40 Motors for $20 XING2 — and What That Teaches Us About Motor Choices
If you've been in the FPV scene for more than a year, you know Joshua Bardwell. The dude's been flying FPVCycle Imperial motors for what feels like forever. On a recent livestream, he dropped the news: he switched to XING2 2207s. Bought 12 of them.
His explanation was pure Bardwell:
"It's like breaking up with your girlfriend... I still love you, you've just gotten too fat for me."
Funny line, but it teases a real weight problem most pilots don't think about — motor weight creep and what it costs in the air.
The Gain That Broke the Camel's Back
The Imperial motors Bardwell was flying had been getting heavier over time. What started as a ~36g motor had crept up to ~40g per unit. Multiply by 4 = 16g extra on the quad compared to the original spec.
But the real kicker? Switching to XING2 2207 (33.7g each) saves ~25 grams total compared to the current Imperials.
Now, 25g doesn't sound like much until you've flown a quad that suddenly feels 25g lighter. That's the difference between a floaty, slow-reacting freestyle build and a snappy one that responds the instant you breathe on the sticks.
Why Weight Actually Matters (It's Not Just AUW)
Most people obsess over AUW. Rotational mass is the silent killer.
Every gram on the motor bell has to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction with every stick movement. When you snap a power loop, the motors don't just lift the quad — they have to spin up and spin down that rotating mass. Heavier bells:
- Slow down flip and roll rates
- Make split-S exits feel sluggish
- Increase gyro noise that your FC has to filter out
- Add more prop wash recovery delay
Saving 6.3g per motor (Imperial 40g → XING2 33.7g) means your quad recovers from maneuvers faster and feels more connected to your inputs. It's not placebo — you can feel it on the first power loop.
How Bardwell Picked
Bardwell didn't just pick the cheapest motor. He went through a systematic evaluation:
He also looked at WASP Major (RCinpower) — great efficiency numbers, but out of stock everywhere. Availability counts. A motor that's on the water for 4 weeks might as well not exist when you're trying to rebuild before a race weekend.
Chris Rosser's data was the tipping point — proving that the 25mm stator's low-throttle "advantage" is mostly marketing. For a 5-inch freestyle build, a well-designed 2207 or 2306 delivers everything you need at significantly lower weight and cost.
XING2 2306 vs 2207 — Which One Should You Pick?
Bardwell chose XING2 2207. But we carry XING2 2306 at FPVMotorCo. Why the difference?
The 2306 is the "more torque, more smooth" option. Compared to a 2207:
- 2207: ~28.5-33.7g — lighter, faster spool-up, better for sub-250g or race weight builds
- 2306: ~32.5g — more low-end torque, smoother mid-band, better for hard freestyle and heavier builds
Think of it this way: 2207 if you're chasing every gram and flying light freestyle or race. 2306 if you want the extra grunt for trippy spins, power loops, and carrying a full-size GoPro.
At 32.5g, our XING2 2306 is practically the same weight as the 2207 Bardwell picked, but with noticeably more torque. It's the "everything" motor — light enough for a sub-300g build, torquey enough to toss a GoPro on and still rip.
The Pre-Tested Difference
That's why we stock the XING2 at FPVMotorCo — and why every one goes through a bench check before it ships. A raw XING2 2306 from a random retailer is just a motor in a box. Ours go through:
- Spin test — verify smooth rotation, no bent shafts
- Bearing check — listen for grit, roughness, or lateral play
- Thread inspection — confirm M5 shaft threads are clean and propeller nuts seat properly
- Thermal check — bench verification that the motor runs cool under load
When Bardwell buys 12 XING2s, he has to inspect each one himself. We do that for you, so your set is ready to bolt on and fly.
Bottom Line
Bardwell's switch is a good reminder for all of us — don't overthink it: weight, availability, and verified quality are the three things that made his call.
Whether you go 2207 for maximum weight savings or 2306 for the torque advantage, the key is choosing motors that are bench-verified — so you know exactly what you're getting when you open the box.
Every XING2 2306 in our LA warehouse is Pre-Tested and ready to ship in 1-2 business days. [Check them out here](/products/xing2-2306-1755kv-6s-fpv-racing-motor-pre-tested-5-freestyle).
Need help deciding between 2207 and 2306 for your build? Drop a comment or email us at leelin16868@gmail.com — we fly both and can walk you through the tradeoffs.