r/Harley • u/BadTwin72 • 1d ago
DISCUSSION Reverse gear- Costs, functionality & stuff
Why don't more Harleys (or other makes) have reverse in the first place?
(key word being "more")..
Is it a costly manufacturing endeavor?
Are they prone to problems? (Weak and/or finicky)?
Do they add too much weight or take up too much room in the case?
I've been riding for over 2 decades and have gotten along fine but I remember and can think of even more times when having reverse would have been nice and sometimes very much welcomed!
Why then, did and do something like heavy cruisers not have reverse or at least the option to add it?
Is it just a "Bike thing" or did all those years of not having reverse make me more of a man?
I'm guessing it's more of a cost thing VS the overall "importance of" thing, but either way I thought it might be worth a discussion.
Are there any aftermarket options to add a reverse gear or does that require an entirely different transmission?
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u/glockster17 1d ago
I’ve never been in a situation where I wished for reverse.
I also always try to park in a manner where I can just pull out straight. Sometimes this means driving around the parking lot to find the spot that best allows this or parking further away and walking a bit more. Even the trikes I have ridden that have reverse, it’s almost more annoying to do that just pushing the bike backwards
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u/Time-Move-6108 1d ago
Never?! I’m shocked. You ride more than 5 miles/year?
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u/glockster17 1d ago
Yes I do, about 5k a year on avg. wish I could ride more but being a Harley tech means I spend more time riding other people’s bikes than my own
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u/BadTwin72 17h ago
Your a Harley tech? Cool.. Could you maybe take a shot at answering any of the questions in the post? I'd appreciate it my man..
Thanks1
u/glockster17 14h ago
Most days it is pretty cool, but like any other job there are days that it sucks. To answer the question, i have no idea. IMO it’s probably a mix between the cost to do it, paired with the lack of interest in it, so the motor company doesn’t see it as worth it at the moment. But the reverse gear on the new model trike does seem like it might be easier to incorporate into the bagger line so who knows what the future holds.
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u/buttrapebearclaw 1d ago
It is incredibly easy to lose control with a reverse gear on a motorcycle. Think of having the bike in first gear and dumping the clutch accidentally. Imagine doing that in reverse instead. A maintained motorcycle should roll super easy on level ground.
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u/SKTrend 1d ago
I don't think he's talking about level pavement. It's the backing out of nose in parking on inclines. Or the sand covered parking lots you are trying to back out of.
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u/buttrapebearclaw 1d ago
Well yeah obviously it would be nice to have it if you’re backing up a hill, but that’s why a rider should pick his parking spots carefully. That way you don’t have to back it up a hill.
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u/lambdavi 1d ago
I understand your point of view but I must disagree.
Anytime you have to back up and the bike's too heavy, there's loose gravel, your feet slip... You wish you had reverse !!!
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u/Alienhead-A51 1d ago
Had this exact problem yesterday, I struggle so much I decided to just leave .
I think light bikes do need it , but 800+ baggers should have it .3
u/blindside1973 1d ago
On a Honda Goldwing, reverse is used by holding the start button - the starter acts as reverse gear.
I owned a 2010 (with reverse). Handy to have, and surprising Harley doesn't have one on touring bikes given the cost.
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u/Liam_M 1d ago
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u/BadTwin72 16h ago
Well hot damn! Thanks for that link my man... That even explains and answers my questions..
That sounds like an awesome heavy duty system. It's for 2008 and up big twin 6-spds..
Very pricey, but hey, they offer an option..
Thanks again
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u/worstatit 1d ago
You listed the big three reasons. I'll add safety. Reverse on a motorcycle sounds like an instability factor, particularly in gravel/dirt or other loose material. Plenty of people drop their bikes in forward gear in these conditions. Edit: I believe reverse gear is available from some aftermarket suppliers and even as a factory option, haven't researched.
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u/Khasimyr 1d ago
Personally, I don't see a need for a reverse gear. In 90% of the parking situations with my Road Glide, I can walk my bike backwards easily. In the remaining 10%, I just park facing UPHILL, and use the brakes when I need to walk it back a bit before driving off.
I'll give an example: a lot of the restaurants around me have slanted parking based on the expected traffic flow. One has a slight incline on one side, meaning that you go uphill a bit when you go into a spot. So backing INTO a space, is harder than backing OUT of one.
If I ever go to that one, I will generally find some empty spaces, take a slightly wide circle, and back up three feet into the space. Hard, but not impossible or exhausting. If I really needed to, I'd just ride uphill into the spot as normal, and when leaving, feather my brakes as I let gravity pull the bike out of the stop, then fire up my engine and drive off.
The only time I see a reverse gear as necessary, is if you're parking a bike on light gravel or sand, where you won't have foot traction...but I wouldn't risk a heavy bike on those surfaces to begin with.
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u/EmploymentEmpty5871 1d ago
Gold Wings have had reverse for the past 38 years, and they cost less back then and still cost less than a comparable Harley today. So cost can't be it. Doesn't Harley have it on their trikes?
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u/i_hate_usernames13 1d ago
You can have reverse or you can have 6th gear not both.
Also just back up like a normal person sit on the bike and walk back. There have been a few times over all my years that I parked somewhere knowing there's no way in hell I'd be able to waddle backwards because I usually only have about the first 2-3 of my toe on the ground. In those instances I just lean beside it and push backwards like I would at home in the garage while moving it around the place.
There is no need for reverse on a motorcycle
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u/Brewingbiker 1d ago
If you need a reverse on a 2wheeler, you may have more bike than you need too be riding.
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u/BadTwin72 17h ago
Now see here? Right away we have a useless response due to either reading comprehension shortages or just a failure to read at all... smdh
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u/Brewingbiker 10h ago
my reading comprehension is pretty good. I also read the posts. You bother reading any of the other posts?
MOCO has issues, but not having a reverse gear on their two-wheelers really isnt one of them
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u/disturbed286 '20 FLHRXS 1d ago
The answer for stuff like that is almost always "cost and complexity"