First of all I know there has been a lot of discussions and problems with the reverser motor but I have not seen anything on my problem. I have only used the reverse about 10-12 times in two years.

Here are the facts…
2010 FLHXXX
25,000 miles
I purchased 2 years ago with 3,000 miles

My Problem…
This has happened 3 times in the last few weeks, I cannot get it to happen on demand.
I put the trike in neutral and back out of the garage; I then start the trike and take off. Within a few blocks while I am still in first gear, I hear a noise that sounds like the starter starting or maybe the reverse motor starting. I turn off the switch and restart and I am fine. No I have not bumped the reverse switch…any suggestions where to start?

Thanks

 

Try starting the engine BEFORE you back out. The engine should be running before using the reverse motor.

 

I am not using the reverse motor at all, I just coast out of the garage..

 

When you use the reverse let off the button and let the trike roll backwards just a little bit before you start going forward. If the trike rolls freely it is ok.
The reason being, once in a while the drive gear can stick in the driven gear that moves you backward. By rolling rearward it lets the reverse motor gear push itself out of engagement.
If you leave the gear engaged it will spin the reverse motor until it comes apart, or beaks the brushes.
Go ahead and use reverse. You bought that feature with the trike.
If it goes out, it is repairable !

 

Thanks for the replies but this noise has nothing to do with using the reverse. As I said my driveway has a slight slope so I just coast out backwards and then start the bike, I then put the gear in first and take off, thats when I hear the noise. At this point I have not even touched the reverse switch. Thanks again

 

I keep my FreeWheeler in the garage. After climbing on, I turn the switch to "run" and then shift into neutral. Since I leave the trike in first gear while parked, I shift the transmission into neutral and then start the motor. To avoid using the reversing motor, I am able to push the trike backward, to be able to take advantage of the downward slope of my driveway and coast backward into the street.
One time when trying to go in reverse, after pushing and holding the reverse button and getting a good light on the dash, I started to move backward and the motorcycle engine died. It seems that there was too much electrical draw and it stalled the motorcycle motor.

Other than that, no other issues with the reverse motor. But it does sound like the solenoid may be sticking in your reverse motor.

 

i wonder if your bendix is staying engaged ? does it only do this when cold and on the first start of the day ? you may have a sticking starter drive or a short in the wiring. i would think if either were engaged they would start smoking while riding it. good luck and let us know what the problem is.

 

Could it be the "first gear whine?" Some have it, some don't. I had 2 TG's and 2 FW's. 2 of the 4 had it.

 

You go a couple of blocks still in first gear?

 

LOL..
I live in a small gated community with 15 mph speed limit, it takes about three blocks to get to the gate...hard to get out of first.