View Poll Results: Reverse Kit
Installed it already.
3
4.69%
Thinking about installing one.
61
95.31%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll
Reverse Gear?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Originally Posted by blarg
hold the handlebars from the front? I guess depending on your model/type of handlebars that may be difficult.
Originally Posted by Intrepid175
I know this is a very late response but I'd ask blarg to try doing this with a 300 lb motorcycle, then try to imagine doing it with a 900 lb motorcycle, specially if it's sporting a full fairing (handlebar or frame mounted, take your pick!) and they'll have their answer!
Just thought I'd post the whole of what I was responding to for clarification. I took blargs post to mean doing that solo? Maybe I misinterpreted him? Anyway, straddling the front wheel, holding onto the handlebars and pushing the bike backwards while keeping it balanced all at the same time? Then try doing that on a 900+lbs motorcycle with a full fairing?? I'm not saying you can't do it but I wouldn't mind watching! It would be an interesting show regardless of the outcome!
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Last edited by Intrepid175; Jul 20, 2012 at 05:31 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I always thought that anyone who needs a reverse gear is an idiot. This morning I found out I must be an Idiot!
I was leaving my son's house at 0530. I didn't want to wake anybody, so I coasted out backwards, in neutral, with the engine off. I turned downhill, on his very steep street, and was doing fine until I realized my fairing wasn't going to clear his mailbox, and it was way too steep to back up. I couldn't put the kickstand down, because the curb was in my way. What a pickle!
Luckily it was cool out, and I had my jacket on and cell phone in my pocket. I called my son up and he came out and helped me back up. Finally those grocery bills from when he was a teenager paid off! Good to have a 6'3" helper.
If I didn't have my phone I would have been reduced to begging passerby's for help. That would have been embarrassing. Suddenly reverse didn't seem like such a dumb idea.
I was leaving my son's house at 0530. I didn't want to wake anybody, so I coasted out backwards, in neutral, with the engine off. I turned downhill, on his very steep street, and was doing fine until I realized my fairing wasn't going to clear his mailbox, and it was way too steep to back up. I couldn't put the kickstand down, because the curb was in my way. What a pickle!
Luckily it was cool out, and I had my jacket on and cell phone in my pocket. I called my son up and he came out and helped me back up. Finally those grocery bills from when he was a teenager paid off! Good to have a 6'3" helper.
If I didn't have my phone I would have been reduced to begging passerby's for help. That would have been embarrassing. Suddenly reverse didn't seem like such a dumb idea.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
I always thought that anyone who needs a reverse gear is an idiot. This morning I found out I must be an Idiot!
I was leaving my son's house at 0530. I didn't want to wake anybody, so I coasted out backwards, in neutral, with the engine off. I turned downhill, on his very steep street, and was doing fine until I realized my fairing wasn't going to clear his mailbox, and it was way too steep to back up. I couldn't put the kickstand down, because the curb was in my way. What a pickle!
Luckily it was cool out, and I had my jacket on and cell phone in my pocket. I called my son up and he came out and helped me back up. Finally those grocery bills from when he was a teenager paid off! Good to have a 6'3" helper.
If I didn't have my phone I would have been reduced to begging passerby's for help. That would have been embarrassing. Suddenly reverse didn't seem like such a dumb idea.
I was leaving my son's house at 0530. I didn't want to wake anybody, so I coasted out backwards, in neutral, with the engine off. I turned downhill, on his very steep street, and was doing fine until I realized my fairing wasn't going to clear his mailbox, and it was way too steep to back up. I couldn't put the kickstand down, because the curb was in my way. What a pickle!
Luckily it was cool out, and I had my jacket on and cell phone in my pocket. I called my son up and he came out and helped me back up. Finally those grocery bills from when he was a teenager paid off! Good to have a 6'3" helper.
If I didn't have my phone I would have been reduced to begging passerby's for help. That would have been embarrassing. Suddenly reverse didn't seem like such a dumb idea.
Yours was obviously a unique situation that most of us will never have to worry about. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast so hills of any sort aren't an issue for me but as you've found out, regardless, if you're riding a motorcycle that has the potential of being 4 to 5 times heavier than the rider, sooner or later it's likely that rider will find themselves in a similar predicament. I'm glad you were able to get out of the situation with no damage to yourself or the motorcycle and only minimal damage to your dignity!
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
reverse would be nice. my drive coming out of the garage, is uphill and covered in tiny gravel washed off the road. i have to stand next to the bike and push it out and turn around before getting on to ride away.if i wanted to back in the garage, i would be turning around on a hill covered in gravel first. that would be even more unsafe..
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 2
From: Macon, GA USA
Being I am going to put a 06 sidecar on my 02 ultra and will be taking a short ride by myself that will last up to a year I been looking at them. Many will not work with stock pipes.
I installed a champion for a customer and like it a lot. Being I have a Backer DD6 builders kit I put in mine I wanted to make sure it would work. I called Champion and got a tech I say tech loosely. His name is Ken and did not know what a Baker DD6 was and was a real jerk. He said it will not work conversion over. I asked why it would not work and all he would say is it will not work. If he does not know what a Baker DD6 is how does he know that it will not work??????????? He told me I will sell you one but you cannot return it. I asked if I buy one and do not install it just to check and see if I thought it would fix he would not take it back which he said NO. Wonder how good there warranty is? For that much money I am not going to take a chance.
He turned in to a real *** I guess as I called his bluff and he did not like it. So after listening to his BS I intern got on to him and hung up. personalty I will call a wreck to back mine up before I buy anything Champion. He just lost a $2500 sale as I was thing about their raked trees as well.
I talked to a dealer of Champion that said he was told by Champion that they have never installed one on a DDS but know many that have and it will fit. So this shows that Ken the so called tech did not know what was going on it is no telling what he is telling others about Champion parts!
I would not have any problem if he admitted he did not know but no he rather tell a lie then admit he did not know. Sorry Champion lost all their credibility with me.
Does any one know if Bakers revers will work with stock pipes on a O2 Ultra?
Thanks
Jeff
I installed a champion for a customer and like it a lot. Being I have a Backer DD6 builders kit I put in mine I wanted to make sure it would work. I called Champion and got a tech I say tech loosely. His name is Ken and did not know what a Baker DD6 was and was a real jerk. He said it will not work conversion over. I asked why it would not work and all he would say is it will not work. If he does not know what a Baker DD6 is how does he know that it will not work??????????? He told me I will sell you one but you cannot return it. I asked if I buy one and do not install it just to check and see if I thought it would fix he would not take it back which he said NO. Wonder how good there warranty is? For that much money I am not going to take a chance.
He turned in to a real *** I guess as I called his bluff and he did not like it. So after listening to his BS I intern got on to him and hung up. personalty I will call a wreck to back mine up before I buy anything Champion. He just lost a $2500 sale as I was thing about their raked trees as well.
I talked to a dealer of Champion that said he was told by Champion that they have never installed one on a DDS but know many that have and it will fit. So this shows that Ken the so called tech did not know what was going on it is no telling what he is telling others about Champion parts!
I would not have any problem if he admitted he did not know but no he rather tell a lie then admit he did not know. Sorry Champion lost all their credibility with me.
Does any one know if Bakers revers will work with stock pipes on a O2 Ultra?
Thanks
Jeff
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
I went on a long trip recently, bike fully loaded with camping gear and everything else needed for two weeks on the road. The reverse gear sure came in handy when having to back up the bike on inclines and loose dirt and gravel surfaces.
Last edited by Twinrider; Aug 29, 2012 at 06:31 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 101
From: Back Overseas for now
I am 5'6" with a thirty inch inseem. I would love to have one. Been "stuck" a few times where it would have saved me. Might have to ask Santa.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,793
Likes: 29,730
From: PNW
Damn Twinrider - you're on the front and back of this old thread!
Nice to hear a long term report. There's been a few times I would liked to have a reverse option. If you ride in hilly areas you find that often times the parking lots are, yes, hilly. On more than one occasion I had to really think about how I was going to park, or more importantly, unpark the loaded bagger. I'll admit, on an early morning coffee stop I could just see my caffeine starved brain thinking it's okay to pull right into a downhill spot. Hasn't happened yet - just a matter of time.
Having the reverse option would save me the embarrassment of having to ask the patrons to help me push the pig backwards up a hill so I can leave. Maybe on the next bike.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 902
Likes: 152
From: Georgia
I've had a few instances where it would have been nice. We have pretty good dips in the roads for snow runoff and I get in some of those and can't get out on my own unless I'm going forward.