Honda’s U3-X Versus the SBU

You’ve probably seen Honda’s new U3-X “segway unicycle” all over the internet and compared it to the SBU…well here is my take on it:

The U3-X is cool, I like it a lot and wouldn’t mind having one (for free, Honda want me to test it?). But there are some drawbacks compared to the SBU (what? I’m not biased at all). For example, it only goes 3.7MPH, that’s 1/3 the speed of an SBU. It has a third the range at only 3.7 miles, the SBU goes 10 miles on a charge. It appears to have a very small ground contact and would not fair well with minor defects in the road surface.  The U3-X appears pretty fragile compared to the SBU which has front/rear bumpers and scuff guards.  They weigh about the same. Also, the SBU is in production, available now for only $1499. I can almost guarantee the U3-X won’t sell for less than $1500. Okay, okay, I’ll concede one point to the U3-X, they used much prettier models in their photos. See, I’m not biased.

8 Responses to “ Honda’s U3-X Versus the SBU ”

1. Capt Rikii S. Burks says:

   October 14, 2009 at 11:09 pm

   Greetings,
   The device is great and I wish it had been around 20 years ago. I’m a Steadicam Operator and will stay with the Segway for that but the SBU might be great fun and not take a van to move about! Best of luck. (And I thought Adam Savage could ride a Unicycle all by himself!
2. Jim says:

   October 20, 2009 at 11:29 pm

   I am learning to ride a unicycle and have taken some nasty falls but riding on one wheel is a unique experience that everyone should have – its like flying. This SBU (how do you pronounce that?) looks really cool and when I get the money I will get one.
3. Zeke says:

   November 9, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   Jim what sort of Uni do you have and why have you taken “nasty falls” one you have to do is not be scared to fall just be ready to catch your uni from either in front or behind depending on which way you fall, the only time you should ever “fall” (to the ground) is if you fall to the side so try to always fall either forward or backward this way you can catch yourself. I only fell once when I learned so I know it is possible to do.

   keep up the good work!
4. fred_dot_u says:

   December 16, 2009 at 1:45 pm

   Jim, I learned to ride a unicycle a couple of years ago, after purchasing an online pdf from http://www.ridetheunicycle.com, without which I would never have had a chance. The book tells you how to fall, and it helped me quite a bit. I was still able to have a few bad ones, but that happened less and less frequently. If you want to see a compilation of my crashes during training and can handle the excessive groans during the falls, I have a YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKtg6gxl71Q

   You can also search my posted videos for a couple of SBU videos as well.

   As an SBU owner, I can assure you that riding this most-excellent machine is about ten times easier. You don’t fall so much as get off, which in the unicycle world is called an unplanned dismount.

   I have more than a hundred miles on my SBU now, and use it for three to seven mile errands whenever I can.

   Readers and especially owners are encouraged to contribute to the new Yahoo group for this vehicle:
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FocusDesignsSBU/

   Disclaimer: the Yahoo group is not officially sponsored or supported by Focus Designs.
5. Lorenzo says:

   December 20, 2009 at 6:25 pm

   Ok, Ok, belive in you..
   But for convince me… send me a free SBU.. and i will test all..
   P.S:
   I am italian, hen you’d also free advertising!!
6. bob hoaglaned says:

   January 5, 2010 at 11:12 pm

   I want one. I have a segway and will never give it up but this SBU is not the same and yet it is very similar. I just wonder if the pedal mounts can be modified so as to be several inches below the axis of tire rotation as this would allow the rider to stand to absorb surface irregularities without putting the CG so high as to overcome the gyro balancing. Also a retrofit of a larger tire enabling off road use (albeit at the expense of time-between-charging).
7. Paul Wolf says:

   April 4, 2010 at 5:06 pm

   I am a Disabled veteran, I will buy one of your SBU`s. It Looks so handy.
   With half a leg I run and jump with the best of 25 year olds. Do boxing, Hand to hand Combat at our Training facility.The Facktory Boxing Club in Pa..
   This would make covering distances so much easier & I could carry it on my motorcycle.
   I may even get it introduced to the V.A. .
   I`m 54 yrs old…..
   Semper Fi
   WOLF Sgt.USMC / Retired
8. Rath says:

   June 1, 2010 at 10:19 pm

   Dude! Nice, i give u my support, keep up the hard work, i agree on u about the honda model, sbu is ahead in matter of eficiency and functionality, however it may need a makeover (im talking about aesthetics and perhaps personalization) eventually if u pretend to grow ur market and production.