Reverse motor
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 664
From: Central Texas
I use mine, every time I ride my trike.
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 64
Likes: 52
From: Oregon
Ha ha! My comment was kind of in jest. The old mechanical was not great to use. This one is a piece of cake. I’ll definitely put it to use but not all the time. Good to have when you need it- that’s for sure.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 225
Likes: 24
From: Burt, Michigan
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 394
From: Oak Harbor, OH
I don't know, I just don't get spending over $1000 on a mechanical reverse, when if you're that mechanically inclined you can rebuild the reverse motor for less than $250. But if you have mobility issues and use it a lot, it would be a good investment. And others don't use reverse because it might break, but if you don't need it that much why spend over a grand on a mechanical one? Sounds like way back when, when my mother-in-law's living room had all the furniture was covered in plastic, but nobody ever sat in there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
In nearly 50,000 miles on my TriGlide before selling it, I never had an issue with the reverse. The only “aggravations” were:
- difficulty getting the trans into neutral to engage reverse
- inability to pull up moderate grades without popping the breaker.
- difficulty getting the trans into neutral to engage reverse
- inability to pull up moderate grades without popping the breaker.
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 64
Likes: 52
From: Oregon
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 664
From: Central Texas
I think those are common issues. The owners manual even says not to try to back up long or steep inclines. The other day I went to the local dealer for some stuff and backed in using my feet. The sales mgr came out and was going to show me how to use the reverse. I said I knew how - just didn't want to wear it out. He sort of laughed and said it should not be an issue. I had a mechanical reverse on my old trike. It has to be in neutral as well and pretty much needs to be put in reverse with in about 5 seconds of hitting neutral and it is stiff at best. If the trike was moving at all wouldn't go in - or worse wouldn't go out. The electric if used per the instructions is better IMHO. Of course YMMV.
Harley's electric reverse is very poorly engineered, IMO.
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Or,,,,, if you really want a true reverse, Baker builds one that puts reverse one more click forward of 1st gear. There is also a lock-out.
You have to install the gear set in the transmission. But it is a real reverse. The big problem is the cost of it. If you are at a rally Baker is at they will install for free.
All depends on how far you want to go.
You have to install the gear set in the transmission. But it is a real reverse. The big problem is the cost of it. If you are at a rally Baker is at they will install for free.
All depends on how far you want to go.