Ok, I know my TG has a reverse, I have used it. It sucks. It's slow, it's electric, and it drains the battery. I've begun pushing the bike out of the garage, which I can usually do, but it's a slight upgrade push and hard. Mostly at work I can park slightly uphill, so the push isn't a big problem. I could install a motor driven reverse, but 2k strikes me as a bit much after spending that much on a bike. I found a pair of 2 3/4 inch plastic ramps on Amazon for 35 bucks. Does it make any sense to park with the front wheel on the ramp in my garage, throw the other in the cargo box underneath, and use it in a pinch if I can't park uphill?
I Hate Reverse
- Thread starter Fredward
- Start date
What is the problem? I back up a slight incline with me and the wife on the trike. I always back into the garage. When new it would brake the breaker but after using it over time That doesn't happen any longer. It maybe slow but while backing I am not in a speed race. I can back up over a curb with no problem. Maybe u should get it checked.
Maybe I should add I weigh over 270 and the SO about 150.
I always park with the ass end down hill. That way, if there is an incline, gravity helps my reverse motor. I usually pull a Motor Trike Little Deuce trailer with me to carry my wheelchair. It sure adds to the resistance when backing. I have put 16,000 trouble free miles on my 2015 so far. This is not the same reverse motor set I had on my 2009. I used to pop the breaker routinely.
Maybe I'm just lucky, but so far the only time I've popped the breaker is when I've pulled a goofy stunt like not releasing the parking break. And I don't ever back it up more than a few feet. I know it's not meant to take me to my destination backwards. 
Maybe I'm just lucky, but so far the only time I've popped the breaker is when I've pulled a goofy stunt like not releasing the parking break. And I don't ever back it up more than a few feet. I know it's not meant to take me to my destination backwards.
Done that also, felt kind of dumb after doing it.
You oughta try riding down the road with it engaged...then you REALLY feel dumb. :blush:
BillR
Gold Member
Doesn't it disengage when you put it in first?
Nope. I can say this from experience. You have a little red light staring up at you while you jerk yourself crazy going down the road.
You do know I'm talking about the brake, right?
BillR
Gold Member
No, I thought you were still talking about reverse. Since I have a "vintage" Tri, I don't have the light for the parking brake.
DK Custom Products
Sponsor
I used to resist the idea of using the reverse...but anymore, I just use it as a matter of course...if it'll roll backwards, I let it...if not, then the magic reverse button gets pushed.
On my '11 it had to be replaced under warranty once. On the '14, no problems so far, but if there is, the warranty will take care of it.
That said, if you can't get past the noise of it, I don't see any problem parking it uphill via some little ramps and then letting gravity propel you out your garage.
No harm in that.
Kevin
On my '11 it had to be replaced under warranty once. On the '14, no problems so far, but if there is, the warranty will take care of it.
That said, if you can't get past the noise of it, I don't see any problem parking it uphill via some little ramps and then letting gravity propel you out your garage.
No harm in that.
Kevin
I guess I'm one of the oddballs here. This is the first motorcycle of any type that has a reverse, and for good reason in my thinking...it weighs well over half a ton dry!! I seriously wish a few of my 2 wheelers had had some type of reverse. Would have made it much easier to turn around in my driveway. I often felt like Austin Powers trying to turn that cart around in that corridor on one of his movies. :laugh:
I have an 09 Royal Star Venture with a Hannigan trike kit........ The reverse is FAST...will just about give you whiplash the first time you use it. Also, VERY loud. I had people almost 100 yards away turn to see what the noise was. The reverse runs of a starter motor and I do not believe it was adjusted correctly so that the gears meshed.
While the trike was at Hannigan in Feb, they made some adjustments to the alignment of the reverse motor. I have not tired it since it was adjusted as the dealer still has my trike. My latest estimated date of completion is April 10th. Can update on any improvement after that date.
Also, with my trike having the full floor boards, it would be extremely difficult to roll the trike back by myself if I ever got into a situation I had to push uphill.
While the trike was at Hannigan in Feb, they made some adjustments to the alignment of the reverse motor. I have not tired it since it was adjusted as the dealer still has my trike. My latest estimated date of completion is April 10th. Can update on any improvement after that date.
Also, with my trike having the full floor boards, it would be extremely difficult to roll the trike back by myself if I ever got into a situation I had to push uphill.
On my '10 TG, the reverse motor was replaced with a much beefier one. Works better since then. That said, if I back up too steep of an angle, reverse solenoid gear sometimes gets stuck in engaged position. Even if trike put in 1st gear. I've learned feel of it and know when I have to rock trike to free it.
I also rev throttle a little to give it the extra juice it likes when backing up.
I also rev throttle a little to give it the extra juice it likes when backing up.
Part of the problem throwing the breaker is starting to back up when you are sitting on a real slope forward. The combination of the motor starting to turn & picking up the weight of the trike can cause a large amp draw & throw the breaker.
Another thing that will do it is backing a long way. No real reason for that anyway.
If you use the brake to stop rearward movement while you have the button pushed it will stick the reverse motor drive in the ring gear. So let go of the reverse button & let it roll a couple feet to dis-engage the drive. Also if the trike won't roll forward freely there is something wrong.
A manual reverse is a lot better, but not as convenient as just pushing a button. There are manual set-ups out there that also have a system to keep you from messing up being in first gear while in reverse. A bit more money, but might be worth it.
Another thing that will do it is backing a long way. No real reason for that anyway.
If you use the brake to stop rearward movement while you have the button pushed it will stick the reverse motor drive in the ring gear. So let go of the reverse button & let it roll a couple feet to dis-engage the drive. Also if the trike won't roll forward freely there is something wrong.
A manual reverse is a lot better, but not as convenient as just pushing a button. There are manual set-ups out there that also have a system to keep you from messing up being in first gear while in reverse. A bit more money, but might be worth it.
I'm kind of hoping that Harley has perfected it's electric reverse with the water head iteration of trikes. I saw where Kevin's is still working, and this is starting the third year with his. He said he had trouble out of his '11 while under warranty, but not the '14.
So far, I haven't seen or heard of reverse complaints out of '14 and beyond. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is a trend.
So far, I haven't seen or heard of reverse complaints out of '14 and beyond. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is a trend.
Exactly what I do. Just remember to think out your excape route plan, even if you must scoop the loop at any parking lot. If you plan it right, Gravity is your friend.
Say what you want, But with the mechanical reverse i can park anywhere i want at any angle.. No driving around looking for an easy spot to get out of... Just pull in and when you're ready back out... No Flint-Stoning with a 30k Trike...
Some of us can't afford the mechanical reverse, and have to hope the electric works out for a long time.
It's not about affording...... ...With me it was 13 hundred+ for the electric that was out of warranty, Or 17 hundred for the mechanical.... I crawled under my Tri 3 times working on that motor... Even took it to be rebuilt once.. At some point you have to bite the bullet...
- Thread starter
- #20
Pushing It Uphill
No way in hell! I am just now getting to where I can back it up on very slight upgrades using my legs, and that took several weeks of leg presses. I was using reverse to back out of my driveway, about twenty feet. Battery would drop significantly. Now I use reverse if I really need it to loop her backwards and pull out of the driveway, safer anyway. I guess I will play with the reverse more and see what's what, it is under warranty. I would just feel better with a mechanical version. We'll see down the road.
No way in hell! I am just now getting to where I can back it up on very slight upgrades using my legs, and that took several weeks of leg presses. I was using reverse to back out of my driveway, about twenty feet. Battery would drop significantly. Now I use reverse if I really need it to loop her backwards and pull out of the driveway, safer anyway. I guess I will play with the reverse more and see what's what, it is under warranty. I would just feel better with a mechanical version. We'll see down the road.
My version of biting the bullet will be "Flintstoning" and parking strategically if my reverse goes out after the warranty is up...at least until I get the durn thing paid off.
I gots bills and lots of 'em.
Was reading the install info. Will most likely use as plan B when existing plan A poops out. Would spend a little more to get something better for sure.<br />
Rhino, did you install ?
Rhino, did you install ?
Had the dealer do it' 150$ labor ....I would have done it myself but splicing in the wiring harness[Lock-Out] would have given me fits.... Me being DYSLEXIC...After seeing how it was wired in i probably could have,' As long as i had extra fuses on hand for when i crossed a wire to two...:gah:
150 sounds good to me , just for aggravation alone .
I Love Reverse
I love the Reverse in my 2015 Tri. Once I got the sequence down it has worked perfectly for me. It is mostly flat around these parts, so I use the R to back out of the garage and then let it roll down the driveway and into the street, and I use the R to back out of parking spaces. I get a kick from the look on peoples faces when they see a motorcycle backing up.
I love the Reverse in my 2015 Tri. Once I got the sequence down it has worked perfectly for me. It is mostly flat around these parts, so I use the R to back out of the garage and then let it roll down the driveway and into the street, and I use the R to back out of parking spaces. I get a kick from the look on peoples faces
when they see a motorcycle backing up.
I love the Reverse in my 2015 Tri. Once I got the sequence down it has worked perfectly for me. It is mostly flat around these parts, so I use the R to back out of the garage and then let it roll down the driveway and into the street, and I use the R to back out of parking spaces. I get a kick from the look on peoples faces
I do too. I was at our local grocery store awhile back, and some lady was carrying her groceries out of the store. She literally stopped dead in her tracks with her mouth open watching me back up. When I waved at her it both broke her out of her trance and embarrassed her.
Maybe I'm just lucky, but so far the only time I've popped the breaker is when I've pulled a goofy stunt like not releasing the parking break. And I don't ever back it up more than a few feet. I know it's not meant to take me to my destination backwards.
HA!! i did the exact same thing the first day i brought it home. lesson learned!
Maybe '15 on, wife's '14 tri have had it in the shop twice, first issue it wasn't dis-engaging when shifting to 1st, light went off, but you could hear the motor, required module replacement. Second time motor unit went out and had to be replaced. She doesn't use it much to have it go out like that, but our local dealer wasn't surprised, had several '14 tri with both issues and was able to troubleshoot quickly.
No Problems
I don't have an issue using reverse on my 2012 TriGlide. The only hassle is finding neutral when stopped. If I pop it in neutral while still moving ever so slowly, I'm golden, otherwise forget it.
I don't have an issue using reverse on my 2012 TriGlide. The only hassle is finding neutral when stopped. If I pop it in neutral while still moving ever so slowly, I'm golden, otherwise forget it.
Similar threads
Welcome to the Trike Talk Community
Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe
Forum statistics
Share this page
