Overview
The Hobbywing QuicRun 2850 SL G2 brushless motor is a high-performance powerplant engineered for RC enthusiasts seeking reliability, efficiency and impressive power delivery across a wide range of 1/12th and 1/14th scale models. Whether you're into off-road racing, short course trucks, monster trucks, on-road competition or general bashing, this 3400KV motor offers the perfect balance of speed and control. As a dedicated UK RC retailer, we stock this motor because it represents outstanding value and performance for both experienced racers and those new to brushless RC car systems.
The QuicRun 2850 SL G2 is the second generation of Hobbywing's popular 2850-size brushless motor, refined with improved efficiency, better thermal management and a more user-friendly design. The G2 designation signifies meaningful upgrades over the original, including advanced bearing technology, optimised rotor design and enhanced durability features that keep your RC car running cooler and stronger for longer. This motor has become a favourite among UK RC enthusiasts because it delivers race-proven performance without the complexity or maintenance demands of traditional brushed motors.
If you're shopping for a brushless RC motor in the UK, the Hobbywing QuicRun 2850 SL G2 stands out because it arrives completely ready to install—pre-soldered connectors, flexible silicone wiring and intelligent engineering that makes setup straightforward whether you're upgrading an existing RC car or building a new setup from scratch.
Key Features
- Up to 80% Maximum Efficiency — This motor achieves exceptional power conversion efficiency, meaning more of your battery energy goes into acceleration and speed rather than being wasted as heat, delivering better runtime and more consistent performance throughout your driving sessions.
- Low Temperature Operation — The advanced 2850 design minimises heat generation during use, which means the motor stays cooler under the same load conditions compared to conventional motors, resulting in more stable continuous output and a longer lifespan for your brushless system.
- IP56 Protection Rating — This robust weatherproofing ensures dust resistance and reliable performance even in wet conditions, making this motor fully capable of handling off-road vehicles operating in harsh outdoor environments without fear of water ingress or mud damage.
- Pre-Soldered Gold-Plated 3.5mm Connectors — The motor comes completely ready to plug directly into your ESC with high-quality male connectors already installed, eliminating the need for soldering and allowing genuine plug-and-play installation that gets you racing immediately.
- Silicone Wire Output Design — Rather than rigid traditional enameled wires, the 2850 SL G2 features flexible silicone-insulated output leads that make routing cleaner and easier during installation, whilst also improving durability and reducing stress on the motor terminals.
- High-Strength Explosion-Proof Rotor — Precision-engineered rotor construction ensures exceptional durability and reliability even under extreme racing conditions, providing confidence for competitive drivers and serious bashers alike.
- Premium High-Precision Bearings — The motor uses leading-brand premium bearing sets at both front and rear positions, ensuring smooth rotation and minimal friction for maximum efficiency and extended operational life.
- Selected 0.2mm Silicon Steel Laminations — The stator uses carefully chosen silicon steel laminations at just 0.2mm thickness, reducing eddy current losses and improving overall motor efficiency for better power delivery.
- High-Temperature Resistant Enameled Wire — The internal windings use premium enameled copper wire rated for high temperatures, maintaining electrical integrity even during extended high-performance driving sessions.
Technical Performance
The Hobbywing QuicRun 2850 SL G2 is a sensorless brushless motor featuring 4 poles and a 3400KV rating, optimised for 2S LiPo battery systems commonly used in 1/12th and 1/14th scale RC cars. At just 28mm in diameter and 50.5mm in length, this compact motor delivers impressive power without excessive weight—the entire unit weighs only 125 grams, making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications where every gram matters. The shaft diameter of 3.175mm (1/8-inch) is the industry standard for most RC car gearboxes, ensuring straightforward compatibility with nearly all shaft-compatible setups. No-load current sits at a reasonable 2.8A, indicating efficient operation. The motor's 4-pole configuration provides a good balance between torque characteristics and RPM delivery. For ESC compatibility, Hobbywing recommends pairing the 2850 SL G2 with the QuicRun WP 12BL45 G2, which is specifically matched to deliver optimal performance. The front bearing measures D9×D4×T4mm whilst the rear bearing measures D9.525×D3.175×T3.967mm, both using premium precision components. This motor represents a significant step forward in brushless RC motor technology, combining proven Hobbywing engineering with real-world usability features that make it genuinely enjoyable to own and operate.
What's in the Box
- Hobbywing QuicRun 2850 SL G2 brushless motor with pre-soldered connectors
- Flexible silicone output leads ready for connection to ESC
What You Need to Complete
- Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) rated for 2S LiPo systems—Hobbywing QuicRun WP 12BL45 G2 recommended
- 2S LiPo battery pack (7.4V nominal) with appropriate capacity for your vehicle scale and intended use
- RC car chassis compatible with 28mm-diameter motors and 3.175mm motor shaft
- Radio system transmitter and receiver (if your chassis doesn't already have one installed)
- Battery charger suitable for LiPo chemistry
- Motor pinion gear sized appropriately for your gearbox ratio
Frequently Asked Questions
- What scale RC cars is the 2850 SL G2 suitable for? — Hobbywing specifically states that the 2850 motor is suitable for both 1/14th scale and 1/12th scale RC models. This makes it a versatile choice across multiple popular scales, though it works particularly well as either a lighter-load option for 1/14th vehicles or a heavy-load option for 1/12th scale trucks and buggies.
- Is this motor suitable for beginners? — Yes, absolutely. The pre-soldered connectors and plug-and-play design eliminate the intimidating soldering step that deters many newcomers. The robust IP56 protection means you don't have to worry about water or dust damage from off-road driving, which is ideal for learning in real-world conditions. However, you will still need to source a compatible ESC, battery and charger, so it's not a complete ready-to-run solution on its own—check with your chassis manufacturer to ensure compatibility.
- What battery does the Hobbywing QuicRun 2850 SL G2 need? — The motor is optimised for 2S LiPo battery systems, which provide a nominal voltage of 7.4 volts. This is the standard setup for 1/12th and 1/14th scale RC cars in the UK. Capacity selection depends on your intended use—typically ranging from 2000mAh to 5000mAh—but you should always check your ESC's recommended battery capacity ratings.
- What is the difference between the SL and other Hobbywing QuicRun motor versions? — The "SL" designation stands for "Sensorless", meaning this motor doesn't require the additional sensor wire that sensored motors need. Sensorless motors are simpler to install and typically lower cost, making them ideal for most RC enthusiasts. Sensored versions offer slightly smoother low-speed performance but add complexity and cost. For typical RC racing and bashing in the UK, the sensorless SL version provides excellent value.
- How efficient is this motor compared to alternatives? — The 2850 SL G2 achieves up to 80% maximum efficiency, which is excellent for a brushless motor in this class. This efficiency translates directly to longer runtime from your battery, cooler motor operation, and more consistent power delivery throughout your driving session. The silicon steel laminations and premium bearings specifically contribute to this efficiency advantage.
- Is the 3400KV rating fast enough for my needs? — The 3400KV rating is considered moderate-to-high speed for 1/12th and 1/14th scale vehicles on a 2S LiPo battery. KV stands for "Kilo-Volts per 1000 RPM", meaning at 7.4V (2S), this motor will reach approximately 25,160 RPM under no-load conditions. Your final top speed depends on your gearing, tyre size and weight, but this KV rating is well-suited for racing and general performance driving rather than top-speed drag applications.
- What ESC should I pair with this motor? — Hobbywing recommends the QuicRun WP 12BL45 G2 electronic speed controller, which is specifically engineered to work optimally with the 2850 SL G2 motor. This pairing ensures you get the best performance, efficiency and reliability. When shopping for an ESC, ensure it's rated for sensorless operation and is compatible with your 2S LiPo battery system.
- Will this motor fit my RC car? — The 28mm motor diameter and 50.5mm length are industry-standard sizes for 1/12th and 1/14th scale vehicles, and the 3.175mm (1/8-inch) shaft diameter is universal across most gearboxes. However, always verify with your specific chassis manufacturer that they support 28-size motors before purchase to avoid compatibility issues.
- How long will this motor last? — With proper use and care, brushless motors like the 2850 SL G2 typically last many hundreds of running hours. The premium bearings, high-strength rotor and high-temperature-resistant windings are all designed for durability. The IP56 protection rating helps guard against environmental damage from off-road driving, and the low-temperature operation means less thermal stress on internal components.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the HOBBYWING QUICRUN 2850SL 3400KV MOTOR BLACK HW30404804 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Brand: Hobbywing
- Model Number: HW30404804
- Motor Type: Brushless
- Sensored/Sensorless: Sensorless (SL)
- Motor Size: 2850
- KV Rating: 3400
- Pole Count: 4
- LiPo Cells: 2S
- Voltage Compatibility: 2S LiPo (7.4V nominal)
- No-Load Current: 2.8A
- Outer Diameter: 28mm
- Length: 50.5mm
- Shaft Diameter: 3.175mm
- Weight: 125g
- Front Bearing: D9×D4×T4mm
- Rear Bearing: D9.525×D3.175×T3.967mm
- Connectors: 3.5mm (Male) Gold-Plated
- Maximum Efficiency: Up to 80%
- Protection Rating: IP56
- Output Leads: Silicone Wire
- Stator Material: 0.2mm Silicon Steel Laminations
- Rotor: High-Strength Explosion-Proof
- Winding Wire: High-Temperature Resistant Enameled Copper
- Bearings: Premium High-Precision
- Recommended ESC: QuicRun WP 12BL45 G2
- Suitable Scale: 1/14th and 1/12th
- Compatible Applications: Trucks, Off-Road, On-Road, Short Course Trucks, Monster Trucks
- Construction: Pre-Soldered with Gold-Plated Connectors
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.