Why not a HD "Reverse Gear"?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,431
From: Idaho Panhandle
I also wonder why. I have been caught once, In Joseph, OR (Hell's Canyon). With their steep dropoff for water runoff, I was too far in to back out by myself. Finally, I said to hell with it, pulled in enough to clear the lane behind me and parked. Had a great lunch and upon getting back to my bike, asked for help from passerbys. Showed them where and how to push and one blocked traffic.
Had I been alone, I'd still be there. Had I reverse, it would have been nice. Aside from that time, there have been many iffy times, straining, gaining a 1/2" at a time on what looked to be perfectly flat.
I'm 70, and while I could add a baker to the new Ultra we are going to get, it certainly would be an option for a 900# bike that I would consider standard.
I agree with the OP and further, I think Harley management and engineering has no idea how their touring bikes are used.
Had I been alone, I'd still be there. Had I reverse, it would have been nice. Aside from that time, there have been many iffy times, straining, gaining a 1/2" at a time on what looked to be perfectly flat.
I'm 70, and while I could add a baker to the new Ultra we are going to get, it certainly would be an option for a 900# bike that I would consider standard.
I agree with the OP and further, I think Harley management and engineering has no idea how their touring bikes are used.
Good thing I'm not a tough guy, so I'm not worried about my Pirate or 1%er image.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 1,938
From: NE Florida
I only needed it that one time and got help, but I thought this discussion was to look at what it will take to attract new customers. I know you old farts don't need no stink'n badges, or reverse and nor do I at 70. But in 10 years I'll be 80 and if your answer is, well go buy a f*@king Goldwing, well I guess I'd better wish good luck to Harley.
Good thing I'm not a tough guy, so I'm not worried about my Pirate or 1%er image.
Good thing I'm not a tough guy, so I'm not worried about my Pirate or 1%er image.
Adding a reverse gear would do more to kill the brand than help it.
If you need a reverse gear, than there are aftermarket options for the 1% that need it and don't have the common sense to plan ahead.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 367
From: Northern MN
If you need a reverse come to Minnesota, we got some women here that can pick up a bike and move it by themselves! But I gotta tell ya, if they are in the mood, you god damn well better be too!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,431
From: Idaho Panhandle
Nah, it was this comment about the f****ing gold wing that got my goat. But a 900 # bike, two up set for a month touring, I'd consider it, but I'll take the vette before I'd ride a gold wing or a Harley that looks like one. My first Harley was in 1963 and I've had 9 Harley's, so some internet hard nose dyna rider pushing my buttons gets a response. (I don't know what he rides, could be an ultra, comment just seems like what my dyna friends might say over a pbr.)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Can't figure out for the life of me why HD doesn't put a reverse gear on their big cruisers. They have the engineering since they have a reverse on their trikes. The data shows their big cruiser customers are getting older the machines are getting heavier and some of the compettion in the class has reverse gears. I know there are a couple of aftermarket companies that make reverse gears but I'm asking about HD......am I missing something?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 355
Likes: 85
From: Living 33yrs in Sunny Florida !!! Living the retirement dream....Love it!!!
I had a buddy whose wife would get off and push him back even just making a simple you turn..I didn’t even want to be seen with him, just to embarrassing...I had a 502 Boss Hoss and they have reverse, but it also weighed 1400 lbs dry..riding a Harley used to mean something and it wasn’t be seen as a wussy boy!! Need reverse? take your car..
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 78
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From: South Fl
http://championsidecars.com/products/reverse-gears/
Last edited by dentdave; Feb 16, 2018 at 08:33 PM.