Reverse Options
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
As in grinds going into reverse? That's fairly typical of any unit attached to the transmission. Parasitic drag on the clutch has the gearshaft turning, so it grinds going into reverse with the engine running. Even in neutral.
There are a few things you can do to help reduce this grinding engagement.
1. Select reverse with the engine off.
2. Shift it into reverse quicker. That replaces the grinding with a clanging though.
3. Use 1st gear to stop the shafts from turning, drop it into reverse, then shift out of 1st gear. This won't work if you have the safety switch installed btw.
There are a few things you can do to help reduce this grinding engagement.
1. Select reverse with the engine off.
2. Shift it into reverse quicker. That replaces the grinding with a clanging though.
3. Use 1st gear to stop the shafts from turning, drop it into reverse, then shift out of 1st gear. This won't work if you have the safety switch installed btw.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
Update: I just got off the phone with Noah from Suspension Technologies and was given an explanation of why my reverse stopped working. I'll say this RIGHT NOW, they have gone above anything I expected and have given me great support since I bought their product.
There was an issue with the assembly of the unit I was given and that is what caused it to stop working. The fact that they told me this and are stepping up says a lot about the company to me. I'm glad to know what happened and the fact that it wasn't an installation or operation error.
Because it was a assembly error ST is sending me a pair of their shocks as compensation for the issue. I didn't ask for this or even hint that I expected anything from them. To me they didn't have to do any of this and with the way many companies are now days I am totally SHOCKED by this gesture.
I had planned on getting Ohlins shocks sometime in the near future so I am excited to try out their shocks and see what I think of them. If I am happy with the way my bikes handling is improved with their shocks then I just may by their fork cartridges also.
There was an issue with the assembly of the unit I was given and that is what caused it to stop working. The fact that they told me this and are stepping up says a lot about the company to me. I'm glad to know what happened and the fact that it wasn't an installation or operation error.
Because it was a assembly error ST is sending me a pair of their shocks as compensation for the issue. I didn't ask for this or even hint that I expected anything from them. To me they didn't have to do any of this and with the way many companies are now days I am totally SHOCKED by this gesture.
I had planned on getting Ohlins shocks sometime in the near future so I am excited to try out their shocks and see what I think of them. If I am happy with the way my bikes handling is improved with their shocks then I just may by their fork cartridges also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
They should give you something for the hassle of installing, removing and installing it again. post up how the shocks are after you run them awhile. So many shock choices most which will be better than stock. It's hard to try and decide which on gives the best ride. I've only tried progressive and they weren't much better so I sold those.
Last edited by heavymetalthunder; Sep 9, 2019 at 05:16 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
They should give you something for the hassle of installing, removing and installing it again. post up how the shocks are after you run them awhile. So many shock choices most which will be better than stock. It's hard to try and decide which on gives the best ride. I've only tried progressive and they weren't much better so I sold those.
I have a buddy who had a set of the Progressive shocks installed on his 2019 RGS and 2 weeks later when he won a set of Ohlins shocks and went to take the Progressive shocks off one was blown and already leaking. Luckily for him he was able to take them back to the HD dealer and got his money back. Once I get the Suspension Technologies shocks installed and get some miles on them I'll do a report on what I think. Everything is suppose to be here tomorrow so I'll be installing all of it on Thursday. Dang Nab UPS has had the parts sitting 75 miles from me since yesterday.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
Well of course UPS screwed things up as they seem to do a lot in my area anymore. The box with the parts got to Redmond, WA on Monday at 7:10 AM so if they had sent it to Ellensburg on Monday I could have/would have had the parts Tuesday afternoon. Since I am on the end of the UPS delivery route I don't get my stuff until 6 PM or later.
So I got my part Wednesday and unboxed the parts with the plan to install everything today. Then I woke up this morning sick and puking my guts out. So I didn't get anything done to it today. Hoping I wake up tomorrow feeling better so I can get the bike done.
And the new shocks
So I got my part Wednesday and unboxed the parts with the plan to install everything today. Then I woke up this morning sick and puking my guts out. So I didn't get anything done to it today. Hoping I wake up tomorrow feeling better so I can get the bike done.
And the new shocks
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
Reverse is reinstalled on the bike and ready for me to test out tomorrow morning.
Got the new shocks installed also. Can't wait to get out on the road and try them out.
I'm trying a Banjo Bolt for the air line to see how it works.
Here are the parts taken off the bike and stored away so it can still be ridden if the reverse breaks.
Got the new shocks installed also. Can't wait to get out on the road and try them out.
I'm trying a Banjo Bolt for the air line to see how it works.
Here are the parts taken off the bike and stored away so it can still be ridden if the reverse breaks.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
I just pulled the bike out of the garage and so far I am happy with the shocks and reverse. I know just pulling it out of the garage isn't really a test but here is what I can tell you.
The first reverse I had wouldn't go into reverse every time I engaged it unless I rocked the bike or popped the clutch a little. This new reverse now goes into reverse 90% of the time without me having to do anything. The few times it did hang it was easy to get it to click into reverse. Noah had told me that part of this with the old revers was because of it not being assembled properly. So the new reverse is a WIN WIN for me.
Now onto the shocks, until I get it out on the road I can't say how good or bad they really are but here is what I noticed right away. Because these are 12" shocks instead of 13" shocks the back of the bike is of course sitting lower. What does that mean for me? Well getting on and off the bike is easier and with my leg that is a HUGE PLUS. The only downside to it that I can see up to know is that I had a heck of a time getting the bike of my lift. I have a Harbor Freight lift and it was fun pulling out from under the bike.
I don't know if you can tell in the pictures how lower it is now but other than the lift issue I like it being lower. I'm going to get my riding gear on and go for a ride and see what I think of the rear shocks. I have to take the bike back to the HD dealer to have the clutch safety switch in the handlebars replaced next week so I'll get a chance to try the shocks out really well.
The first reverse I had wouldn't go into reverse every time I engaged it unless I rocked the bike or popped the clutch a little. This new reverse now goes into reverse 90% of the time without me having to do anything. The few times it did hang it was easy to get it to click into reverse. Noah had told me that part of this with the old revers was because of it not being assembled properly. So the new reverse is a WIN WIN for me.
Now onto the shocks, until I get it out on the road I can't say how good or bad they really are but here is what I noticed right away. Because these are 12" shocks instead of 13" shocks the back of the bike is of course sitting lower. What does that mean for me? Well getting on and off the bike is easier and with my leg that is a HUGE PLUS. The only downside to it that I can see up to know is that I had a heck of a time getting the bike of my lift. I have a Harbor Freight lift and it was fun pulling out from under the bike.
I don't know if you can tell in the pictures how lower it is now but other than the lift issue I like it being lower. I'm going to get my riding gear on and go for a ride and see what I think of the rear shocks. I have to take the bike back to the HD dealer to have the clutch safety switch in the handlebars replaced next week so I'll get a chance to try the shocks out really well.