For as long as people have been riding electric unicycles (EUCs), there’s been a fascination with speed. Early on, manufacturers leaned into this by promoting freespin speed—how fast the wheel spins when lifted off the ground, with no rider or resistance. While the numbers sounded exciting, they didn’t reflect the real-world performance or safety of the machine. In fact, riders pushing past safe limits often faced dangerous cutouts.
Since 2022, Inmotion has pioneered a new standard by advertising safe top speed instead of freespin numbers. This shift wasn’t just marketing—it was about aligning with real rider experiences, engineering realities, and most importantly, rider safety.
What Is Freespin Speed vs. Safe Top Speed?
● Freespin Speed: Maximum speed the motor can reach without a rider or load. Impressive on paper, but impossible to sustain on the road.
● Safe Top Speed: The maximum speed a rider can reliably achieve under real conditions, considering torque, aerodynamics, and safety margins.
For example, the Inmotion V13 has a freespin speed of 140 km/h (87 mph), but its safe top speed is 56 mph. This distinction matters: safe top speed is the number that truly determines what a rider can enjoy without risking a sudden motor cutout.
What Happens If You Pass the Top Speed Limit?
EUCs are designed with speed limits for a reason. Push beyond the safe top speed, and the wheel can no longer generate enough torque to keep you balanced. The motor will dip out—commonly known as a cutout—resulting in a loss of balance and control. That’s why Inmotion emphasizes safety margins in all of its products, ensuring riders can enjoy performance with confidence.
The Technology Behind Speed: Why Higher Isn’t Easy
Electric unicycles use Brushless DC (BLDC) motors, which deliver their highest torque at zero speed. As the wheel accelerates, available torque naturally declines. This presents a major hurdle at high speeds, where overcoming aerodynamic drag becomes critical.
● Torque Curve: Maximum at standstill, steadily declines as speed increases.
Aerodynamic Forces: Air resistance increases exponentially with speed. At 40 mph, aero drag is noticeable. At 90+ mph, it becomes a massive barrier requiring far more torque than most wheels can deliver.
Field Weakening Technology
Starting in 2023, some manufacturers began implementing field weakening—a motor control method that allows the wheel to spin faster than its natural limit. While this boosts top speed, it comes at a cost: torque is sacrificed. This trade-off means that while the wheel can technically go faster, it becomes more vulnerable at high speeds when torque is most needed to fight aerodynamic drag.
Unfortunately, many brands rushed field weakening into production without rigorous testing, creating unsafe situations for riders. Inmotion, by contrast, invested in extensive testing and validation before integrating this technology, ensuring that higher speeds could be reached without compromising rider safety.
Inmotion’s Role in the Evolution of Top Speed
● Inmotion V14: Introduced balance and refinement, with a safe top speed of 43 mph, catering to a wide audience of riders seeking both performance and control.
● Inmotion V13: A technological leap, with a freespin speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) but a safe top speed of 56 mph. Designed with robust firmware protections and engineering to match.
● Inmotion P6: The latest milestone—and a true breakthrough. With a safe top speed of 93 mph, the P6 redefines what’s possible on an electric unicycle. This speed is not just a number; it represents years of engineering advancements in suspension, firmware, and motor design. At 93 mph, riders enter a category once thought impossible for single-wheel transport, experiencing highway-level performance with the assurance of Inmotion’s rigorous safety standards. The P6 doesn’t just keep up with modern traffic—it outpaces expectations of what EUCs can achieve.
Common Misconceptions About EUC Speed
● "Freespin is the real speed." Not true—freespin is meaningless once a rider is onboard.
● "More speed means safer performance." Untrue. A manufacturer could artificially boost top speed by sacrificing torque, which makes a wheel more likely to cut out when aerodynamic drag increases at higher speeds.
● "All wheels can hit their limit safely." Without safety cutoffs and firmware protection, exceeding limits risks dangerous cutouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between freespin speed and safe top speed?
Freespin speed is measured with no rider load and doesn’t reflect real riding. Safe top speed is the highest speed you can ride without risking cutouts or loss of control.
What is the fastest Inmotion electric unicycle?
The Inmotion P6 currently holds the crown, with a safe top speed of 93 mph—making it not just the fastest Inmotion EUC, but one of the fastest electric unicycles in the world. Its speed places it in a league of its own, merging performance once reserved for motorcycles with the compact thrill of an EUC.
How does Inmotion ensure rider safety at high speeds?
Through rigorous testing, advanced firmware, and controller overhead that limits users to 80% of the wheel’s capabilities. This ensures riders have a built-in safety margin even when cruising near top speed.
Ready to Ride the Future of Speed?
Inmotion continues to push boundaries while prioritizing rider safety. From pioneering the shift away from freespin marketing to engineering wheels capable of safe 90+ mph rides, Inmotion sets the benchmark for performance with responsibility.
Explore the Inmotion P6 today—the fastest, most advanced electric unicycle designed for those who want the thrill of 93 mph speed with the assurance of safety.
