How to Remove Speed Limiter on Electric Bike

Have you ever felt like your bike was stuck in low gear? As if you suddenly hit an invisible wall at 25 km/h? If you ride an e-bike in Australia, you are familiar with this sensation. That is the speed limiter in action.
It can feel restricting, especially if you know electric bikes Australia have more power to offer. In this guide, we will take a look at electric bike speed limiters, their purpose, and how they keep your bike from becoming a high-speed machine. Then we will deal with the main question: how to remove speed limiter on electric bike models to gain that extra bit of speed, while also assessing the benefits against the serious legal and safety risks.

What Is a Speed Limiter on an Electric Bike?

A speed limiter works as a digital governor for your e-bike. Its only function, as programmed into the controller, is to cut motor power when you reach the legal limit. In Australia, this threshold is strictly 25 km/h for all pedal-assist bikes (EPACs) to meet the national EN15194 safety standards.

Manufacturers install these for three primary reasons:

1. Legal Compliance: Australian law requires electric bike motors to stop assisting once the bike hits 25 km/h to be classified as bicycles and not motorcycles.

2. Safety: Speed limiters protect riders, especially beginners, from losing control at high speeds and keep the bike within the safety rating of its components.

3. Battery Efficiency: A motor running at maximum output constantly drains the battery significantly faster.

How Do Speed Limiters Work?

You need to understand the mechanics first if you are looking into ebike speed limiter removal.

The standard systems usually track the speed using a magnet (usually on the rear wheel) and a sensor on the frame. Every time that magnet passes the sensor, a pulse is sent to the controller, which calculates your speed based on your wheel size. In 2025, many premium bikes have integrated these sensors directly into the motor or brake rotors for better accuracy.

Once you hit the 25 km/h legal threshold, the controller begins to taper off the power. This is why you will often feel a sudden pedal once you hit top speed. Riders usually have to trick this sensor or reprogram the software settings of the controller to remove speed limiter electric bike restrictions.

Reasons Riders Consider Removing or Adjusting Speed Limiters

The riders who look for ways on how to make an electric bike go faster want a better commuting experience. The common reasons for ebike speed limiter removal are:

• Long-Distance Commutes: If you are travelling using a long range electric bike on a 20km each way to work, the difference between 25 km/h and 35 km/h is substantial.

• Safety in Suburban Traffic: In some Australian suburbs, the 25 km/h limit feels dangerously slow when riding alongside cars in 50 km/h zones.

• Performance on Private Property: The riders who buy electric bike Australia models want to use the full potential of their 500W or 750W motors on private tracks or off-road trails.

• Confidence and Skill: The experienced riders often feel they can manage higher speeds safely, especially on a lightweight electric bike.

Legal and Safety Considerations

Electric bike laws Australia are strict. Your e-bike must meet these requirements in most states to be legally classified as a bicycle rather than a motorcycle:

• Pedelecs (EN15194): The bike must have a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts (NSW briefly allowed 500W, but they are moving back to the 250W national standard).

• Speed Cut-off: The motor must stop providing assistance once you reach 25 km/h.

• Throttle Rules: A throttle can only power the bike without pedalling up to 6 km/h. Any bike that uses a throttle to reach 25 km/h without pedalling is limited to a lower 200W motor.

If you modify your bike to exceed these limits:

• It Becomes a Motorcycle: Legally, it becomes an unregistered motorcycle. You can be charged with riding an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

• Fines and Seizure: If your bike doesn't meet legal standards, it is treated as an unregistered motorcycle. Police have the power to fine you and impound your bike in both Victoria and NSW.

• Mechanical Failure: Manufacturers design frames, tyres, and brakes for 25 km/h. When you push these components to 45 km/h or higher, it can cause brake fade or frame snapping.

• Insurance Voided: If you have an accident on a modified bike, your third-party insurance is void. You could be personally liable for medical bills or property damage.

• Warranty Risks: If you tamper with the internal software or hardware, the manufacturer's warranty will be immediately void, and you will be liable for any further repairs.

Alternatives to Removing the Speed Limiter

If you want performance without the legal problems, there are better ways to go about it than searching for how to remove speed limiter on electric bike hacks.

• High-Performance Off-Road Models: Some e-bikes are designed for off-road use, having higher speed capabilities that may be activated through a private land mode.

• Upgrade Your Battery or Motor Legally: At times, a rider needs more torque for hill climbs rather than higher top speed. Get a bike with a higher torque rating (measured in Nm).

• Optimise Your Current Ride: Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure and your chain is well-lubricated.

• Buying the Right Bike from the Start: If you haven't bought yet, check electric bikes for sale near me that are known for their efficiency and high-quality controllers.

Risks and Consequences of Removing the Limiter

There are multiple ways to remove speed limiters. However, there could be more risks than benefits.

1. Braking Distance: The majority of street-legal electric bikes are equipped with brakes designed to stop a bike travelling at 25 km/h. When you increase your speed by 50%, it can lead to brake fade (where your pads overheat and lose friction) or failure in emergencies.

2. Motor and Component Wear: Your motor and internal gearbox are engineered for specific RPM ranges. It can lead to excessive heat buildup that can melt wire insulation, strip internal nylon gears, and significantly shorten the lifespan of your mid-drive or hub motor.

3. Battery Drain: When you exceed electric bike speed limit, the battery drains at an alarming rate. Your long-range bike may quit halfway through your trip, but the excessive discharge heat degrades the lithium-ion cells. It can lead to reduced capacity and thermal runaway risks.

4. Frame and Road Safety: E-bike frames are stress-tested for their speed ratings, as constant high-speed vibration on roads can cause frame wear or component failure. A fork or frame failure at 40 km/h causes a greater risk of severe injury than at the legal 25 km/h limit.

How to Remove Speed Limiter on Electric Bike (Technical Methods)

Disclaimer: All the methods are for educational purposes or for use on private property only.

Sensor Modification

• How it works: The majority of e-bikes calculate speed via a magnet on the rear wheel spoke and a sensor on the frame.

• The Process: You move the sensor to the frame near the pedal crank and relocate the magnet to the crank arm itself.

• The Result: The bike now tracks your pedalling rhythm (cadence) rather than the rotation of the wheel. As you pedal slower than the wheel spins, the controller assumes your speed is slow and keeps the motor assist active long over 25 km/h.

• Downside: The speedometer will no longer display your actual travel speed.

Disconnect the Speed Limit Wire

• How it works: A number of basic controllers (on older or generic e-bikes) have a loop wire that, when connected, tells the motor to cap the speed.

• The Process: Open the controller housing (which is typically a small metal box near the battery). Look for a single wire (often white, blue, or black) that loops out and back into the controller, or two wires connected by a single-pin plug.

• The Result: When this wire is unplugged or cut, the circuit is opened, enabling the motor to draw its maximum power without experiencing a speed limit.

• Downside: This is rarely an option on high-end brands like Bosch or Shimano.

Software Tuning

• How it works: The controller calculates speed using the wheel size variable. You can change the speed calculation by changing this number.

• The Process: Enter the hidden service menu (usually by pressing the '+' and '-' buttons simultaneously). Reduce the wheel size to 16 inches instead of 26 inches.

• The Result: The bike thinks it is travelling a lesser distance with each rotation, so it reports a lower speed to the motor, which delays the 25 km/h cutoff.

• Downside: This only offers a little speed increase and makes your odometer data inaccurate.

Tuning Kits (The Professional Way)

• How it works: High-end mid-drive motors require a third-party tuning chip (like SpeedBox or VOLspeed) plugged directly into the motor’s existing wiring.

• The Process: You must remove the motor cover and plug the chip in-line with the factory speed sensor and the controller.

• The Result: The chip tricks the controller into thinking the bike is travelling below the 25 km/h limit, even if you are hitting 45 km/h or more.

• Downside: Newer motors have anti-tamper software that detects such chips and could cause an error code (Bosch Error 504) that puts the bike into limp mode or voids the warranty.

Safe Tips for Optimising Your Electric Bike

You can improve your riding experience through:

• Maintain Battery Health: Always use the original manufacturer’s charger. Keep your charge between 20% and 80%.

• Regular Servicing: Book a professional service at a local shop. A technician can check your sensors are calibrated correctly.

• Optimise Tyre Pressure: Soft tyres steal speed by increasing rolling resistance. If you ride mostly on bitumen, switch to a smoother road tyre and keep it inflated to the maximum recommended PSI listed on the sidewall.

• Master Your Gears: Riders usually make the mistake of staying in a high gear all the time, which forces the motor to lug and overheat. It is better to shift down before you reach a hill or come to a stop to keep the motor in its optimal RPM range.

• Clean Your Drivetrain: A dirty chain creates friction that drains your battery faster. A clean, well-lubricated chain transfers your pedalling power to the road far more efficiently.

Conclusion

It is tempting to know how to remove speed limiter on electric bike to reach a higher speed, but in Australia, the 25 km/h limit is there to balance rider safety with the convenience of not needing a licence or registration.

The best way to enjoy your ride is to get a high-quality machine from a reputable dealer such as E-Ozzie, where we focus on builds that provide the best legal performance possible. A safe ride is always preferable, whether you plan to buy electric bike Australia or simply want guidance on the current setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to remove an e-bike speed limiter in Australia?

No, it is generally illegal to remove the speed limiter if you intend to use the bike on public roads or paths. Electric bike laws Australia state that pedal-assist bikes must cut power at 25 km/h. The modified bikes are classified as unregistered motor vehicles.

Will removing the speed limiter affect my warranty?

Yes. Almost every manufacturer will void your warranty immediately if they find evidence of tampering with the controller, software, or speed sensors. This could leave you with an expensive repair bill if the motor fails later.

How can I safely increase my e-bike speed legally?

You cannot legally increase the motor assist speed above 25 km/h. However, you can learn how to make an electric bike go faster by improving aerodynamics, using smoother tyres, maintaining high tyre pressure, and pedalling harder.

What is the fastest road-legal electric bike in Australia?

All road-legal e-bikes in Australia are capped at 25 km/h for motor assistance. However, some bikes have higher torque. When looking for electric bikes Melbourne riders often choose models with high-torque mid-drive motors.