Why not a HD "Reverse Gear"?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Why not a HD "Reverse Gear"?
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?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Only the trikes have reverse. There has been a time or two that some type of reverse would have been handy on the limited, but you just lean to park so you don't need to go backwards against gravity. You learn that lesson pretty quickly. Seems to me that using the starter motor to scoot the bike backwards wouldn't be terribly hard to figure out, other big bikes have that, vs doing something to the transmission.
Why don't they do it? Probably to keep the cost of the bike down. Knowing HD, they'd put it on the CVO standard, and offer it as a $2000 option on the other bikes.
Why don't they do it? Probably to keep the cost of the bike down. Knowing HD, they'd put it on the CVO standard, and offer it as a $2000 option on the other bikes.
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.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 486
From: Nor Cal
I guess it would have been nice once or twice in my life, I know better now not to put myself in any situation where i might need it.
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Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 1,938
From: NE Florida
Right on, be smart and you should never need it.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,764
Likes: 22,966
From: North Carolina
Most HD owners and riders are smart enough to plan and park smart so you are always easy out. I've owned 5 HD's now with 120k total miles and maybe once it was an issue. I personally think they would be difficult to use and just one more thing to break. Glad God gave me a brain and two good legs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Funny, I have always felt that way about radios,gps, etc.....it's not a car.
