A speed limiter on an electric bike is a built-in feature designed to restrict the maximum speed the electric motor can propel the bike.
This ensures the eBike complies with local regulations and enhances rider safety by preventing excessive speeds.
What Is an E-Bike Speed Limiter?
An electric bike speed limiter is a built-in system that controls the maximum speed at which the electric motor continues to provide assistance. Once the bike reaches the programmed limit, motor assistance may reduce or stop even though you can continue pedaling.
The limiter is not always a separate physical device. Depending on the electric bike, the speed limit may be controlled by the display, app, controller, firmware, or information received from the wheel speed sensor.
It is also important to separate speed limit from motor power and speed. A limiter determines when assistance cuts off. It does not determine how many watts the motor produces or how much torque the bike can deliver.
Can You Remove the Speed Limiter on an Electric Bike?
Sometimes. Whether you can change an electric bike speed limiter depends on how the manufacturer designed the electrical system.
Some e-bikes include user-adjustable speed settings. Others have a factory-defined maximum assisted speed that cannot be changed through normal display controls. This is why instructions for one model should not automatically be applied to another.
Before making changes, power the bike off, identify the exact model and read the manufacturer's instructions. Unsupported electrical modifications can affect normal operation and may also affect warranty coverage or the bike's legal classification.
Display or App Speed Settings
The display or manufacturer app should be the first place to check.
Some electric bikes include a maximum-speed parameter in the LCD menu or app. If the manufacturer makes that setting available to the rider, changing it is generally more straightforward than opening the controller or modifying wiring.
The exact menu varies between displays. A speed value, PAS level, throttle setting and wheel-size setting may appear near each other, but they do not necessarily control the same thing.
Use the owner's manual for your specific display rather than copying a setting from another bike. If the menu does not provide a user-adjustable maximum speed, do not assume that entering a hidden menu will override the controller.
Controller or Firmware Limits
On some electric bikes, the real assisted-speed limit is stored in the motor controller or firmware.
In that case, increasing a number on the display may have little or no effect on actual motor assistance. The display may simply be showing the requested setting while the controller continues to enforce its programmed limit.
Controller configurations also vary considerably between models. Even two bikes with similar-looking displays may use different controllers, firmware, voltage systems, or communication protocols.
If changing the limit requires controller programming or firmware changes that are not supported by the manufacturer, it is better to contact the manufacturer before modifying the electrical system.
Speed Sensor Based Limits
An e-bike normally uses speed information to determine how fast the bike is travelling. Depending on the design, a wheel or motor speed sensor sends that information to the controller.
Some online derestriction methods attempt to alter the sensor signal so the controller receives an inaccurate speed reading. That can also make displayed speed, distance, assistance behaviour or other system data inaccurate.
For that reason, changing the sensor position, wiring or signal should not be treated as a universal way to remove an electric bike speed limiter. If your bike does not provide a supported speed adjustment, check the model-specific documentation before changing hardware.
How to Check Your E-Bike Speed Settings
Before trying to change a speed limit, work through the bike's normal settings first. This can also help determine whether the speed you are experiencing is a programmed limit or simply the maximum performance the bike can produce.
Step 1: Identify Your Exact E-Bike Model
Check the model name, display type and, where available, controller information. Model year can also matter because manufacturers sometimes change displays or controllers during a product's production life.
Step 2: Check the Owner's Manual
Look for sections covering maximum speed, riding mode, PAS, throttle operation and display parameters. The manual should tell you which settings are intended to be adjusted by the rider.
Do not assume that every value in an advanced settings menu should be changed.
Step 3: Check the Display or App
Open the normal settings menu and look for a manufacturer-supported maximum-speed option. On bikes with connected apps, the same option may appear under riding or vehicle settings.
Be careful not to confuse maximum assisted speed with wheel diameter, units, PAS sensitivity or other parameters.
Step 4: Save the Setting and Test the Bike
After changing a supported setting, save it and restart the bike if required. Test the bike in a controlled area before using it in normal traffic.
Confirm that the display works normally, motor assistance engages and cuts off predictably, and the brakes and other controls operate as expected. CPSC guidance also recommends following local traffic laws, using designated riding areas where required, and checking critical components such as brakes, tires, cables and the frame before riding.
Step 5: Restore the Original Setting if Needed
Keep a record of the original value before making any adjustment. If the bike behaves unexpectedly, restore the factory or previous setting instead of continuing to change unrelated parameters.
If the original setting cannot be restored through the normal display or app, contact the manufacturer or an appropriate service technician.
Does Removing a Speed Limiter Make an E-Bike Faster?
It can allow the motor to continue assisting at a higher speed if the speed limiter was actually the factor holding the bike back. It does not increase motor wattage, battery voltage or torque by itself.
Actual top speed still depends on the complete drive system. The motor, controller, battery voltage and overall battery performance all matter, while rider weight, hills, wind, tire pressure and riding position affect the speed achieved in real conditions.
This distinction matters because a rider may see a 20 mph limit in the display and assume that changing it to 28 or 35 mph will automatically make the bike reach that speed. That is not how the system works.
Can a 20 mph E-Bike Reach 28 mph After Removing the Limiter?
Possibly, but not necessarily.
If a bike is physically capable of exceeding 20 mph and a 20 mph software limit is the main restriction, increasing the supported limit may allow assistance to continue beyond 20 mph.
If the motor, controller and battery are already close to their practical performance limit at 20 mph, changing the speed setting will not suddenly make the bike reach 28 mph.
A higher number on the screen should therefore be treated as a permitted assistance setting, not a guarantee of actual top speed.
Tesway Electric Bikes Up to 43 MPH
If higher speed is your main goal, choosing an e-bike built for stronger performance is a better approach than expecting a speed-limit adjustment to increase motor power. TESWAY currently offers several dual-motor models with higher top-speed capability.
The Tesway X5 AWD and Tesway X7 AWD both reach up to 38 mph, with 3,600W peak dual-motor power and 200Nm of torque. The Tesway X5 AWD uses a step through frame, while the X7 AWD uses a step-over design, giving riders two frame options with similar power and speed performance.
For riders looking for even higher performance, the Tesway X9 Ultra reaches up to 43 mph and combines 4,000W peak dual-motor power with 240Nm of torque. Its 60V system, 26 × 4.0 inch fat tires and full suspension are designed for stronger acceleration, climbing and off-road riding.
These higher speeds may fall outside standard electric bike classifications depending on where you ride, so always check state and local rules before using higher-speed modes on public roads, bike lanes or trails.
Why Is My E-Bike Still Limited After Changing the Speed Setting?
If the bike still stops assisting at the same speed, the display setting may not be the main limiter.
One common reason is that the new value was not saved. Some displays require confirmation or a restart before a setting becomes active.
Another possibility is that pedal assist and throttle operation use different limits. Changing a PAS-related setting does not necessarily change throttle behaviour.
The controller can also enforce its own maximum speed independently of the display. In that situation, increasing the display value will not override the controller programming.
Battery condition matters as well. A battery at a lower state of charge may not deliver the same performance as a fully charged battery under demanding conditions.
Finally, the selected speed may simply be beyond what the motor and electrical system can produce. Setting a display to 35 mph does not mean every e-bike is capable of reaching 35 mph.
Is It Legal to Remove an E-Bike Speed Limiter in the U.S.?
Changing an electric bike speed setting is not governed by one simple nationwide riding rule. Federal consumer-product definitions, state vehicle laws and local rules can all matter.
The key question is not only whether you can change the setting. It is also whether the modified vehicle still qualifies as an electric bike under the rules that apply where you plan to ride.
Federal Rules and E-Bike Product Definitions
At the federal consumer-product level, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and a maximum motor-only speed of less than 20 mph on a paved level surface under the specified test conditions.
That federal definition should not be read as a universal 20 mph road-use limit for every electric bike in every state.
Public-road use, electric bike classifications, riding locations and other operating rules are largely determined by state and local law. That is why some states recognize Class 3 pedal-assist bikes that provide assistance up to 28 mph, while other states use different definitions.
State E-Bike Classes
A common three-class system in the United States uses 20 mph for Class 1 pedal-assist bikes, 20 mph for Class 2 throttle-assisted bikes and 28 mph for Class 3 pedal-assist bikes.
But this structure is not identical everywhere.
Florida, for example, currently defines Class 1 and Class 2 assistance up to 20 mph and Class 3 pedal assistance up to 28 mph, with an electric motor of less than 750 watts within its electric-bicycle definition.
New York is different. New York DMV currently defines Class 1 and 2 assistance up to 20 mph, while its Class 3 category applies solely within a city of one million or more people and permits electric assistance up to 25 mph.
California has also tightened attention around high-speed electric two-wheelers. Under current California e-bike laws, two-wheeled vehicles providing pedal assistance beyond 28 mph or throttle assistance beyond 20 mph may no longer qualify as e-bikes and may instead fall into moped or motorcycle categories.
The practical rule is simple: check the current law for the state and location where you actually ride rather than assuming the same electric bike class applies everywhere.
What Happens If Your Bike Exceeds Its E-Bike Class?
Once a modification pushes a vehicle beyond the definition of an e-bike in a particular jurisdiction, the vehicle may be treated differently.
That can change where it can be ridden and may introduce requirements that do not apply to ordinary bicycles or compliant electric bikes. Depending on the jurisdiction, those requirements can involve vehicle classification, registration, licensing, rider age or permitted riding locations.
California's 2026 consumer alert is a clear example: vehicles exceeding its electric bike speed or power criteria may fall into moped or motorcycle rules instead.
Can You Ride a Modified E-Bike on Public Roads?
Only if the modified bike and the way you operate it comply with the rules that apply to that road or riding area.
On public roads and bike lanes, state and local e-bike classifications matter. A bike that qualified for a particular class before modification may not remain in that class afterward.
Trail rules can be even more location-specific. On Bureau of Land Management property, for example, Class 1, 2 and 3 electric bike access is controlled through land-management decisions rather than one blanket rule opening every non-motorized trail. BLM tells riders to check the specific location before riding.
A current example is Moab: beginning March 1, 2026, nearly 200 miles of selected mountain-bike trails opened to Class 1 e-bikes, while other trails remain closed to e-bikes.
Private property can provide more flexibility, but permission from the property owner does not automatically remove every state, local, insurance or safety consideration. Know the rules that apply to the specific place and vehicle before riding.
Risks of Changing an E-Bike Speed Limit
Increasing assisted speed changes more than the number shown on the display.
Battery range can decrease. Maintaining higher speeds generally requires more energy, so a bike ridden faster may cover less distance on the same charge.
Braking demands increase. A faster and heavier electric bike needs more distance and control to slow down. Brakes, tires and rider technique become increasingly important as speed rises.
Components can face greater stress. Motors, controllers, brakes, tires and drivetrains are designed around particular operating conditions. Running the bike outside its intended settings can increase heat, wear or load on those components.
Warranty coverage may be affected. Do not assume that every speed adjustment automatically voids a warranty, but unsupported controller, firmware, sensor or wiring modifications may affect coverage. Check the warranty terms for your specific model before making changes.
The CPSC also advises electric bike riders to follow manufacturer instructions, local traffic laws and appropriate riding-area requirements.
Better Ways to Get More E-Bike Performance
A speed limiter only addresses assisted top speed. If the real problem is poor hill climbing, weak acceleration, limited traction or insufficient range, changing the speed setting may not solve it.
For climbing and carrying heavier loads, motor torque and controller performance matter more. For long rides, battery capacity matters. For loose surfaces, snow or steep terrain, tire setup and traction can be more important than maximum speed.
This is where choosing an e-bike designed around the intended use makes more sense than trying to make a lower-performance bike do something its hardware was not designed for.
FAQs
Can eBikes go faster than 28 mph?
Yes, some electric two-wheelers are technically capable of exceeding 28 mph. However, exceeding 28 mph can move a vehicle outside common Class 3 e-bike definitions. The legal classification depends on the jurisdiction, motor specifications and how the vehicle provides assistance. California, for example, does not classify a two-wheeled vehicle providing pedal assistance beyond 28 mph as an e-bike.
Is it legal to remove the speed limiter on an eBike?
It depends on where and how the modified bike is used. Changing a setting does not create one universal legal outcome, but riding a bike that no longer meets the applicable e-bike definition may subject it to different vehicle and road-use rules. Check current state and local law before riding on public roads, bike lanes or trails.
Why are speed limits imposed on eBikes?
Speed limits help define e-bike classes and determine how electric bicycles fit into roads, bike lanes and shared infrastructure. They also keep the vehicle's assisted speed within the operating category for which it was designed. State rules vary, so the maximum permitted assistance speed is not identical throughout the United States.
Where is the speed limiter on an electric bike?
There may not be a separate physical limiter. Depending on the bike, maximum assisted speed can be controlled through the display, app, controller, firmware or speed-sensor system. Start with the owner's manual and supported display or app settings before opening the controller or modifying wiring.
Why won't my electric bike go faster after changing the speed setting?
The display may not control the bike's actual maximum assisted speed. A controller limit, separate throttle or PAS limit, battery condition or the physical capability of the motor can still restrict top speed. Also check that the new setting was correctly saved before assuming another component needs modification.
Does removing the speed limiter increase motor power?
No. Raising a speed limit does not increase the motor's rated wattage, torque or battery voltage. It may allow assistance to continue to a higher speed if the motor and controller are capable of doing so, but actual performance is still determined by the complete electrical and mechanical system.
