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?

 

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.

 

Baker makes one you can add-on.

 

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.

 

The Trike reverse is an electric motor that engages the rear pulley. Wouldn’t apply to a two wheeler. You can get aftermarket mechanical reverse.

 

and windows? how about AC?........ sunroof? when the time comes that you need reverse...maybe its trike time.........its not a ****ing gold wing

 

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.

 

Exactfukingly!

Right on, be smart and you should never need it.

 

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.

 

Funny, I have always felt that way about radios,gps, etc.....it's not a car.