Is There Such Thing as a One Wheel Motorcycle?

One Wheel Motorcycle

In today’s energy conscious world, more and more people are searching for cost effective ways to travel short distances. Personal transport devices such as electric scooters are making a huge impact, especially in urban areas. Another mode of personal transport is the electric unicycle, or one wheel motorcycle. These modes of personal transport are designed to get you from point A to point B quickly and efficiently. However, it doesn’t just stop there. For those of you simply interested in a quirky, fun and stylish mode of transport just for some weekend entertainment, there’s also the monocycle. Both the monowheel and monocycle provide the rider with just what they crave: A unique form of personal transport for fun or purpose.

The Monowheel

The Monowheel

Also known as the unicycle, monowheels driven by an engine are considered one wheel motorcycles. Depending on make or model, a monowheel motorcycle is supported by one fat tire, and can be fueled by gas or powered by a rechargeable battery. Designed and developed to serve as a form of urban transport, the monowheel is made to be sturdy, dependable and easy to store in small apartments and/or work cubicles. Two fine examples of these one wheel motorcycles are the Ryno Micro-Cycle and the Super Ride.

Ryno Micro-Cycle

Ryno Micro-Cycle

The Micro-Cycle by Ryno Motors is a prime example of a one wheeled motorcycl. As the video illustrates, one wheeled motorcycles such as the Ryno can function effectively in urban areas as a source of cost effective transport. The Ryno is powered by a rechargeable, electric battery, and hits a top speed of 10 miles per hour–perfect for inner city personal transport. Steering for the Ryno Micro-Cycle is provided by gyro sensors. So, when you tilt your body left, the bike goes in that direction, and so on.

Super Ride

Super Ride

Super Ride makes two models: The Super Ride S1000 and S800. The Super Ride S1000 runs on a rechargeable, Lithium 60 volt 4.4AH battery which only takes under 60 minutes to 3 hours to reach a full charge depending on the model. Weighing in at a mere 45 pounds, the Super Ride’s can reach a max speed of 20 miles per hour while carrying riders up to 300 pounds. Not to shabby for a bit of fun, useful personal transport. To get a good idea on how the Super Ride one-wheeled motorcycle operates from initial unboxing to test run, check out Carters Life.

The Monocycle

The Monocycle

The other type of one wheeled motorcycle is the monocycle. Where with the monowheel the rider shares a similar rider position as a standard motorcycle, with the rider seated on top, the mono-cycle has the rider sitting inside the wheel, along with all the mechanized components. While not seen on the road much, if at all, the monocycle has been around since the late 1890’s. In fact, the first time an operational monocycle hit the road was in 1894.

Also known as the gyrocycle, this one wheeled motorcycle can be seen in the film, “Men in Black 3”. Utilized during their high speed chase scene through Queens New York, this rather fanciful vision of a monocycle is the result of the culmination of monocycle enthusiasts throughout the years, such as Guinness Book of World Record holders, Kerry McLean and Kevin Scott.

McLean Monocycles

McLean Monocycles

An example of a modern day developer of the monocycle is Kerry McLean. McLean built his first monocycle way back in 1971. Since that time, Kerry’s been improving on his design ever since, selling his unique builds to collectors and fans alike. In fact, you can see one of McLean’s creations in Nokia’s smartphone commercial!

While Kerry’s 5 HP McLean Wheel is perfect for the rider who just wants to have a bit of weekend fun, his other model, the Drag Wheel is much more. With the Drag Wheel, Kerry used a V-8 engine power the monocycle, while keeping the size of the frame the same as the 5 HP McLean Wheel. Finally, know that McLean Monocycles designs and builds each custom McLean Wheel by hand, as well.

Wheelsurf Monocycles

Wheelsurf Monocycles

For those of you looking to enjoy a stylish version of the monocycle, then may we present to you, the Wheelsurf. More than just transport, the Wheelsurf organization crafts these vehicles to give riders a one-of-a-kind personal transport experience. Indeed, the reason it’s called “Wheelsurf” is that riders feel as if they’re surfing down the road on a wave, rather than pavement.

As with its brethren monowheels, the Wheelsurf holds the rider, fuel tank and engine all within the wheel frame. The rider then guides the Wheelsurf by tilting their body in the direction they wish to go. Again, designed purely for fun, these are not allowed on streets. As with all monowheel designs, please check with your country or local city government to see if it is allowed on public roads before you buy.

Final Thoughts

Today more than ever, people are searching for fun and exciting ways to travel from place to place. For instance, city’s are currently renting out both scooters and bicycles for both residents and tourists alike. During these energy challenged times. creatives such as Ryno Motors and Wheelsurf are at the forefront of creating rideables that are both unique and exciting. Whereas the monocycle is meant for off-road entertainment, the monowheel is built for urban transportation. There is one thing to know when you go searching for information on one wheel motorcycles: People tend to use monocycle and monowheel interchangeably. While this can lead to confusion, as long as you know the basic difference between the two, you should be more then fine. Finally, no matter which design you choose, please invest in the proper safety equipment such as gloves, helmet, pads, and wear the proper clothing for each ride.

You can also read:

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply