Speed++ explained: how it works and when to use it

Speed++ is a firmware-level configuration available on the VanMoof S3. It works by changing the wheel-size value that the motor controller uses to calculate speed. This is not a hack or a bypass of a safety lock, it is a legitimate parameter that the motor firmware exposes and that MoofMate can write to with the correct permissions.

By telling the motor that the wheel is larger than it physically is, the motor allows the drivetrain to spin at a higher rate before hitting the software-defined cutoff. The result is a higher actual top speed, typically around 37 km/h, before motor assist cuts out.

This is the same principle that some bike shops and mechanics use when adjusting electronic bike parameters. MoofMate makes this accessible directly from your phone without needing specialist hardware or dealer access.

One important side effect of the wheel-size change is that the speed shown on the S3 handlebar display becomes inaccurate. Because the display also uses the wheel-size value to calculate what it shows, it reads lower than your real speed. The MoofMate app accounts for the wheel-size offset that Speed++ applies and calculates your true speed from that, so the speed inside the app remains accurate after Speed++ is enabled.

The VanMoof S3 is the model where Speed++ works most reliably across all firmware versions. If you own an S3 and have MoofMate installed, Speed++ should be available to you regardless of when you last updated your bike's firmware.

The X3 is more complicated. On firmware 1.7.6 and below, the 37 km/h range is accessible through MoofMate's off-road mode, though this works differently from the S3's Speed++ mechanism. If your X3 has been updated beyond firmware 1.7.6, the maximum available limit is 32 km/h and Speed++ is not available.

S5 and A5 owners can reach 32 km/h where firmware supports it, but this ceiling is hardware-defined. Speed++ as a concept does not exist for these models, the motor architecture simply does not support the same wheel-size manipulation to extend the range further.

Before you start, confirm your phone's Bluetooth is turned on and your S3 is powered on and within range. Open MoofMate and tap your bike from the home screen. The connection process usually takes five to ten seconds.

Once connected, open the Settings tab in MoofMate. Scroll down to the Speed Limit section. You will see a list of available speed limits for your bike. First, tap to set the speed limit to 32 km/h. Wait for the confirmation that the change has been written to the bike.

After enabling 32 km/h, a Speed++ toggle will appear below the speed limit options. Tap to enable it. MoofMate writes both the speed limit and the wheel-size parameter to your bike in a single transaction. You will see a confirmation when this is complete.

Take your bike for a short ride to verify the change. You should notice the motor continuing to assist above 25 km/h, with the assist range extending up to approximately 37 km/h. If you are riding with the MoofMate app open, check the speed readout, it should reflect your true speed accurately even with Speed++ active.

If Speed++ does not appear in your settings even after enabling 32 km/h, check that MoofMate is up to date. Occasionally a refresh of the connection (disconnect and reconnect to the bike) resolves display issues in the settings screen.

When Speed++ is active on an S3, the handlebar display will show a speed that is lower than your actual speed. This is an expected consequence of the wheel-size change. The motor controller and display are both using the modified wheel-size value, so the display reads as if the wheel is larger, which translates to a lower displayed speed for the same actual wheel rotation.

In practical terms: if you are riding at 30 km/h real speed, the display might show something closer to 22–25 km/h. The exact discrepancy depends on the specific wheel-size value written during the Speed++ configuration.

There are two things to know about managing this. First, the MoofMate app knows the wheel-size offset that was applied and uses it to calculate your true speed, so it is not affected by the display discrepancy, so you can use the app as your accurate speed reference while riding. Second, if you want the display to be accurate again, you can disable Speed++ in MoofMate at any time to restore the original wheel-size value.

Riders who use their bike primarily with MoofMate open tend to treat this as a minor inconvenience. Riders who rely heavily on the handlebar display for speed awareness should weigh whether Speed++ is worth the display inaccuracy for their riding style.

Speed++ and Boost++ are two separate but complementary features in MoofMate. Speed++ raises your permanent top speed limit by modifying the wheel-size parameter. Boost++ temporarily raises the active speed limit to the highest available option for your bike while you hold the boost button.

On an S3 with Speed++ active, Boost++ uses the 37 km/h ceiling as its temporary target. On an S5, Boost++ uses 32 km/h. On a model where no higher limit is available, Boost++ has no additional effect beyond the active setting.

This means you can run both features simultaneously on a supported S3. Your permanent riding ceiling becomes 37 km/h via Speed++, and Boost++ can be used to accelerate quickly to that limit when you need a burst, for example, at a crossing or when rejoining traffic after a stop.

To use both: enable 32 km/h and then Speed++ in Settings (as described above). Boost++ is separately available under the Boost settings in MoofMate and can be toggled on independently. Once both are active, hold the boost button during a ride to feel the difference in acceleration response.

In most EU countries, electrically-assisted bicycles with a top speed above 25 km/h fall outside the standard e-bike category. Depending on the country, riding above that threshold on public roads may require the bike to be registered as a moped or speed pedelec, and the rider may need insurance or a driving licence. Ignoring this distinction is a legal risk.

In the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the UK, the legal threshold for an unregistered e-bike is 25 km/h of motor-assisted speed. If you raise your bike's speed limit using MoofMate and ride on public roads above that threshold, you may be in violation of local traffic laws regardless of how the bike is physically registered.

Speed++ is particularly popular for off-road use: private land, dedicated cycling facilities, or closed events where local road law does not apply. In these contexts, the legal concerns do not apply and riders can explore the full performance range of their bike freely.

On warranty: modifying firmware parameters including speed settings may void the manufacturer warranty on your VanMoof. The settings can be reverted at any time through MoofMate, but if a warranty claim is opened while non-default settings are active, it may complicate the service process. Check your warranty documentation if this is a concern.