Onewheel: A Very Different Type of ATV

Looking for some new adventures to take you ATV experiences to a whole other level of fun? You’re in luck. There is a hot new ATV that virtually defies classification. It’s called the Onewheel, but you’ll never confuse for a lame old unicycle.

If we were to try and compare the unique Onewheel to something easily identifiable, the skateboard would be its closest cousin. In fact, the Onewheel is being marketed by its California-based manufacturer, Future Motion, as an “electric skateboard.” Aside from being three-wheels shy of a skateboard, the single wheel it does have is a large pneumatic tire that is fueled by a hub-mounted brushless electric motor. Cool, eh?

That large wheel has a two-horsepower motor and gyroscope inside that also acts as a controller. If you lean forward slightly, the motor engages and you start moving forward. Lean back and you will slow down. Lean back further and you’ll stop. When you want to turn, simply lean in the direction you would like to go and the Onewheel obeys.

What’s all this like in action? Kind of subliminal. The lucky adventurers that got to test out the Onewheel have said that it feels almost as if you could control the machine by thought alone. Perhaps the version 2.0 will integrate such technology.

In the mean time, don’t think you aren’t getting some real cutting-edge stuff here. You simply download the Onewheel app to your phone and you can make customizations to your vehicle with taps of a finger. The app and the machine are in communication with one another so that it can report on everything from how fast you are traveling and the current motor temperature to how much charge is left on the battery.

There are even various modes available to directly alter the Onewheel’s handling on the fly. Classic mode is the out-of-the-box default, but there’s also an “Elevated” mode that turns up the acceleration and an “Extreme” mode for those looking for maximum speed (at the cost of decreased battery life). Top speed is roughly 15 mph, and if that doesn’t sound like much, hop on one.

And how about that battery life? It’s good for about seven miles on a charge (take away a mile if you’re running it in the rough stuff or keeping it in one of the snappier modes of operation). The good news, however, is that a full charge only takes about 20 minutes. The lithium ion packs inside are rated for four years of use.

As far as we know, the only way to get a hold of one is directly through the California manufacturer’s site for a cool $1,500. If that sounds a bit pricey, you’re in luck: They offer financing to the tune of $132 per month. They’re busy opening dealerships by the day, however.