Rictor, KuickWheel Skyrider X1 (production model)

(Photo credit: Rictor, KuickWheel)

Skyrider X1 (production model)
Rictor, KuickWheel
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
www.kuickwheel.com

The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.

Founded in 2014, Kuickwheel Technology is a manufacturer of electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric motorcycles and is located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. KuickWheel defines itself as an urban short distance last five mile travel solution company. The company revealed Skyrider X1, a one person electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sea-land-air vehicle, at the Consumer Electronics Shows 2025 (or CES 2025) on January 7, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The company foresees the Skyrider X1 to be used for short-distance advanced air mobility (AAM), making it much easier to travel within urban and rural areas. Rictor is KuickWheel's international brand name.

Skyrider X1 passenger hybrid-electric VTOL sea-land-air production model vehicle
The Skyrider X1 is a one passenger hybrid-electric VTOL sea-land-air vehicle. The cabin is enclosed providing a higher level of safety on the road or in the air. The all-weather capability cabin will keep the pilot dry when it is raining. The aircraft has been designed to make local urban travel easier and fast. While states the vehicle is amphibious, the company doesn't seem to discuss any details about the amphibious capability of the aircraft.

The company has stated the piloting of the vehicle includes an AI automatic route planning function and automated takeoff and landing capability. The avionics adjusts flight altitude, speed and direction in real-time according to weather and environmental changes, for an efficient and safe flight experience. The aircraft can be flown manually with a joystick control. Displays real-time data, weather updates, and system status for full situational awareness.

The cockpit is fully enclosed to keep the pilot safe during flight, to keep the pilot dry during rainy weather conditions, and to have heat or air conditioning in the cabin. The maximum cruise speed in the air is 100 km/h (62 mph), the air range is 300 km (186 miles), the flight time is between 25-40 minutes and the maximum cruise altitude is 200 m (656 ft). The vehicle has eight stacked propellers (with an automatic folding and unfolding system), electric motors and has a hybrid-electric power source.

The ground portion of the vehicle has two main motorcycle wheels and retractable rear training wheels for parking to keep the flying motorcycle upright without having to use a kickstand. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite and aerospace-grade aluminum to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The empty weight of the vehicle is 80 kg (176 lb), has a maximum payload weight of 120 kg (264 lb) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kg (440 lb). There is also a whole aircraft emergency ballistic parachute in case of an unexpected inflight emergency.

The company has stated in early 2025, the price of the Skyrider 1 is expected to be under $50,000.00 USD.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger hybrid-electric VTOL sea-land-air motorcycle-aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot with an AI automatic route planning function and automated takeoff and landing capability. The company's avionics adjusts flight altitude, speed and direction in real-time according to weather and environmental changes, for an efficient and safe flight experience. The aircraft can be flown manually with a joystick control. Displays real-time data, weather updates, and system status for full situational awareness.
• Maximum cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
• Range (air): 300 km (186 miles)
• Flight time: 25-40 minutes
• Maximum cruise altitude: 200 m (656 ft)
• Empty weight: 80 kg (176 lb)
• Maximum payload weight: 120 kg (264 lb)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 200 kg (440 lb)
• Propellers: 8 stacked propellers (with automatic folding and unfolding system)
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Hybrid-electric power source
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite and aerospace-grade aluminum
• Window: Canopy over cockpit
• Landing gear: Retractable 1 front and 1 rear motorcycle tires, with retractable rear training wheels to keep the flying motorcycle upright without having to use a kickstand
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Specifically, the aircraft has a triple-redundant flight control system. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. There is also a whole aircraft emergency ballistic parachute in case of an unexpected inflight emergency.

Related Aircraft:

• KuickWheel X6 (production model)

Company Insights:

• Crunchbase
• Pitchbook
• Tracxn

Resources:

• KuickWheel website
• KuickWheel Facebook
• KuickWheel YouTube
• KuickWheel Weibo
• Article: The World’s First Amphibious Manned Flying Motorcycle is Here! KUICKWHEEL Shines at CES 2025, KuickWheel, Jan. 8, 2025
• Article: CES 2025 Successfully Concludes: Skyrider X1 by KUICKWHEEL Receives Extensive Global Media Coverage, KuickWheel, Jan. 14, 2025
• Article: The Latest Innovation in eVTOL: What Sets the World’s First Amphibious Manned Flying Motorcycle Apart?, KuickWheel, Feb. 27, 2025
• Article: Breaking Land Boundaries! Domestic Debut of “Flying Motorcycle”, KuickWheel, May 6, 2025
• Article: Kuickwheel’s Skyrider X6: flying motorcycle, pre-orders at 69,000 USD in China, Car News China, June 13, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 2, Vertiflite, July/August 2025