Reverse
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17
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Reverse
Starting to get old and have been contemplating putting a reverse on my Ultra Classic....has anybody had any experience with the Motor Trike Reverse set up...pros and cons..all replies appreciated...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Use Search for 'reverse' in titles only and you will find a treasure trove of threads, including one on the Motor Trike, plus this discussion and another on the Yelvington kit.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
I have one from Mototrike. Been on there for several years now. While I am very glad I have a reverse, and it was one of the lowest priced ones out there, Id prefer a different reverse if I could afford it.
First and foremost, the gear ratio is way too high. Its darn near second gear ratio. So youve got to slip the clutch to control speed. If youre on a hill, youve got to use a lot of throttle too, which makes the job of backing up gently rather difficult.
Mine took 4 installs to get it right, and one complete disassembly to fix their mess inside the unit. Whoever built it at their shop dumped nearly a full tube of permatex black in it.
the shift lever isnt secure enough on the shaft. It will slip and then not completely disengage, leaving the reverse sprocket banging teeth. You need to remove it, coat it with bearing or thread locker, in order for it to hold position and completely disengage.
You have to move the exhaust and footboard over almost an inch. The kit does not include the exhaust gaskets you need, and the footboard bolts are too short.
I chose not to install the electrical cut off switch. It is very crude and not water tight. You also actually want to go onto first gear, to stop the gears spinning before you engage the reverse. Otherwise its a hell of a gear crash.
Their customer support is basically non existent. Your email questions will not be answered, phone calls will be hung up on, and when face to face their folk turn around and walk away.
The Yelvington reverse sprocket is bloody expensive, but its much easier to install, with a better reverse ratio. But, Yelvington doesnt seem to answer inquiries either.
Baker also says their reverse ratio is much lower. Baker is very communicative. Theyve also got nice handlebar switchgear.
All that said, I AM very happy to have a reverse.
First and foremost, the gear ratio is way too high. Its darn near second gear ratio. So youve got to slip the clutch to control speed. If youre on a hill, youve got to use a lot of throttle too, which makes the job of backing up gently rather difficult.
Mine took 4 installs to get it right, and one complete disassembly to fix their mess inside the unit. Whoever built it at their shop dumped nearly a full tube of permatex black in it.
the shift lever isnt secure enough on the shaft. It will slip and then not completely disengage, leaving the reverse sprocket banging teeth. You need to remove it, coat it with bearing or thread locker, in order for it to hold position and completely disengage.
You have to move the exhaust and footboard over almost an inch. The kit does not include the exhaust gaskets you need, and the footboard bolts are too short.
I chose not to install the electrical cut off switch. It is very crude and not water tight. You also actually want to go onto first gear, to stop the gears spinning before you engage the reverse. Otherwise its a hell of a gear crash.
Their customer support is basically non existent. Your email questions will not be answered, phone calls will be hung up on, and when face to face their folk turn around and walk away.
The Yelvington reverse sprocket is bloody expensive, but its much easier to install, with a better reverse ratio. But, Yelvington doesnt seem to answer inquiries either.
Baker also says their reverse ratio is much lower. Baker is very communicative. Theyve also got nice handlebar switchgear.
All that said, I AM very happy to have a reverse.
Last edited by foxtrapper; Jan 29, 2019 at 07:07 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I have one from Mototrike. Been on there for several years now. While I am very glad I have a reverse, and it was one of the lowest priced ones out there, Id prefer a different reverse if I could afford it.
First and foremost, the gear ratio is way too high. Its darn near second gear ratio. So youve got to slip the clutch to control speed. If youre on a hill, youve got to use a lot of throttle too, which makes the job of backing up gently rather difficult.
Mine took 4 installs to get it right, and one complete disassembly to fix their mess inside the unit. Whoever built it at their shop dumped nearly a full tube of permatex black in it.
the shift lever isnt secure enough on the shaft. It will slip and then not completely disengage, leaving the reverse sprocket banging teeth. You need to remove it, coat it with bearing or thread locker, in order for it to hold position and completely disengage.
You have to move the exhaust and footboard over almost an inch. The kit does not include the exhaust gaskets you need, and the footboard bolts are too short.
I chose not to install the electrical cut off switch. It is very crude and not water tight. You also actually want to go onto first gear, to stop the gears spinning before you engage the reverse. Otherwise its a hell of a gear crash.
Their customer support is basically non existent. Your email questions will not be answered, phone calls will be hung up on, and when face to face their folk turn around and walk away.
The Yelvington reverse sprocket is bloody expensive, but its much easier to install, with a better reverse ratio. But, Yelvington doesnt seem to answer inquiries either.
Baker also says their reverse ratio is much lower. Baker is very communicative. Theyve also got nice handlebar switchgear.
All that said, I AM very happy to have a reverse.
First and foremost, the gear ratio is way too high. Its darn near second gear ratio. So youve got to slip the clutch to control speed. If youre on a hill, youve got to use a lot of throttle too, which makes the job of backing up gently rather difficult.
Mine took 4 installs to get it right, and one complete disassembly to fix their mess inside the unit. Whoever built it at their shop dumped nearly a full tube of permatex black in it.
the shift lever isnt secure enough on the shaft. It will slip and then not completely disengage, leaving the reverse sprocket banging teeth. You need to remove it, coat it with bearing or thread locker, in order for it to hold position and completely disengage.
You have to move the exhaust and footboard over almost an inch. The kit does not include the exhaust gaskets you need, and the footboard bolts are too short.
I chose not to install the electrical cut off switch. It is very crude and not water tight. You also actually want to go onto first gear, to stop the gears spinning before you engage the reverse. Otherwise its a hell of a gear crash.
Their customer support is basically non existent. Your email questions will not be answered, phone calls will be hung up on, and when face to face their folk turn around and walk away.
The Yelvington reverse sprocket is bloody expensive, but its much easier to install, with a better reverse ratio. But, Yelvington doesnt seem to answer inquiries either.
Baker also says their reverse ratio is much lower. Baker is very communicative. Theyve also got nice handlebar switchgear.
All that said, I AM very happy to have a reverse.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
I tested the Yelvington reverse sprocket up in Sturgis a couple of years ago.It works very good. They said it wouldn't work if I triked out the bike. I'd love to test Bakers unit out. He makes quality stuff.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: St Pete, Florida
Have the yelvington on both my ultras, one unit I bought used on this forum for another member, used reverse was not only installed at yelvington but they upgraded the unit to current version at no cost to me, I live in the same city as yelvington and found them to be very easy to deal with, one bike over 10000 miles no problem other around 5000 miles no problem with system, went with reverse due to bad knee and couldn't be happier with the decision to install on my bikes
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 894
Likes: 69
From: Ca
reverse is a great idea. I am young at only 32 but i would want a reverse. It would make moving my Street glide way easier. Why tf would I want to struggle and hurt my back if I don't have to.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 952
From: Lincolnshire, IL
HD should either add them to their heaviest models ...or.....develop an OEM kit as an add-on. As models get more and more expensive and riders age a "little convenience" would be nice in addition to the fact that the competition DO HAVE some sort of reverse mechanism in their heaviest motorcycles (Honda, Yamaha & Indian). As I wrote, at the very least, they should offer a "kit" that can be installed that doesn't affect the factory warranty.