Reverse Gear on Touring Bike?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 2
From: Bucks County PA
Reverse Gear on Touring Bike?
Anyone ever look at this? Is it possible to do reasonably? Surgery #7 coming up in January... getting tough to push back with a weak left leg. No, I am not prepared to give it up and I am not prepared to go to a Trike. Yes, I do try to park in places where I can pull through, but it's inevitable that I end up somewhere where it is not possible. Embarrassing to ask my wife to hop off, while I struggle to push the bike up a minor b.ump... Could be that the surgery will make me stronger... Just thinking ahead.
And no I'm not going to ride a Goldwing.
And no I'm not going to ride a Goldwing.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA
Champion makes a good reverse kit that most of the shops doing trike conversions use. It adds on to the tranny. You put the bike in neutral, depress the clutch, move a lever to the rearward position, and then ease out the clutch and the bike backs up. When done, you depress the clutch again and move the lever forward, and you're ready to put it into gear and go. One caveat -- if you put the bike into a forward gear and release the clutch with the lever in the reverse position, very bad things can happen. Cost of the Champion kit is $1200-1300, plus installation.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
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From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
Have you checked to see if Baker offers any add-on?
I feel your pain. First time I parked the bike without paying attention to the slope was a KILLER. My legs aren't weak, but I am short which does not help to back a bike up hill. I always try to pay attention to where I park from now on. LOL!
Regarding what Ron said above, yeah, I can imagine bad things could happen if you forget to take it out of reverse before letting out the clutch!
I feel your pain. First time I parked the bike without paying attention to the slope was a KILLER. My legs aren't weak, but I am short which does not help to back a bike up hill. I always try to pay attention to where I park from now on. LOL!
Regarding what Ron said above, yeah, I can imagine bad things could happen if you forget to take it out of reverse before letting out the clutch!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: MA
Novice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I have the Champion reverse in my 2006 ultra.I have a bad right leg.The champion kit was not too hard to install myself and I have not had any problems with it at all.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
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From: Ohio
My brother bought a nice bike that had just been separated from a sidecar. He was proud of having that little lever coming off the tranny. Well he was until the day he said "Hey...........watch this........!"
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Yokohama
Champion makes a good reverse kit that most of the shops doing trike conversions use. It adds on to the tranny. You put the bike in neutral, depress the clutch, move a lever to the rearward position, and then ease out the clutch and the bike backs up. When done, you depress the clutch again and move the lever forward, and you're ready to put it into gear and go. One caveat -- if you put the bike into a forward gear and release the clutch with the lever in the reverse position, very bad things can happen. Cost of the Champion kit is $1200-1300, plus installation.
About usage, I love it! The '09s are pretty high off the ground and heavy, and the passenger floorboards make paddling tough work. Like the OP said, it's great not having to have the wife get off the bike just to back it up. And no more worrying about where you park.
Last edited by Twinrider; Dec 12, 2008 at 06:59 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Yokohama