Useing Reverse on Trikes

[mgwtrike]

I can't wait for spring to have my '12 converted to a trike.

One concern I had is:

How is the reverse system holding up moving the trike with extra weight in reverse?

I use my reverse backing my bikes in the garage up a short apron in front of the door.

I understand the reverse on our Goldwings work off the starter mechanism.

Cheers!

 

[dogman513]

Yes they work off the starter. Don't know about others, heavy load and or slight grade or bump of pavement, trike in reverse can have a hard time handling it without a little help with those feet. I just try not to put myself in a position,where I have to use it whenever possible.

 

[beenthere]

I back our GL1500se RS up on two ramps,by walking beside it.
Less weight to lift.

 

[JaysGone]

This is probably my biggest concern with my trike.
As my legs are pretty bad. I use reverse many times times during the day.
So if anything is going to burn out it might just be my starter motor.
I have to use it even to get out of my garage daily.:AGGHH:

 

[Shimpy]

I try to use mine as little as possible. It wasn't designed to move all that extra weight. If you got to use it though, keep it to a minimum. This is another reason I chose not to get aqua shields or running boards which makes getting your boots on the ground harder or impossible.

 

[Gold Rush]

I try to use mine as little as possible. It wasn't designed to move all that extra weight. If you got to use it though, keep it to a minimum. This is another reason I chose not to get aqua shields or running boards which makes getting your boots on the ground harder or impossible.

Hey Les -- some of us couldn't reach the ground even if the Wing Guards were not there. Being vertically challenged is a real bummer sometimes....

 

[msocko3]

I try to use mine as little as possible. It wasn't designed to move all that extra weight. If you got to use it though, keep it to a minimum. This is another reason I chose not to get aqua shields or running boards which makes getting your boots on the ground harder or impossible.

:Agree: I selectively park so I don't have to use reverse. I tried it a couple time and it sure does struggle, I have to figure in due time and a lot of use it will brake.

 

[bayoudave]

First let me state that I am no expert as I have only had a trike for about 7 years. However, I have read many threads on the subject and most come to the conclusion that less is better when using the reverse. That being said I try to not use mine if possible. If I have to use it I try to position the trike so that the reverse is level or down hill, I avoid trying to back up hill. All that said the one thing that I have never seen on a thread is someone saying, ya mine burned up or broke. I am wondering how often that does happen. It would be interesting to see how often the dealer has to replace a starter. I know alternators are a common issue and have had to replace on both my Goldwing trikes and most of my friends have also. But not one person have I talked to that had to replace the starter. JMHO.

 

[dirtdobber]

I still have that same concern. I use the reverse only when I have to. I park so I can either coast in or out of a parking spot or dive through so I can drive out. About the only time my reverse is really used is backing out of the shop. I do use it other times but only as a last resort.

 

[JaysGone]

Up a hill or even downhill.
No such thing here in So Florida. Very flat around these parts.
In my case it gets used alot. Not as if I have much choice most of the time.
Not even in parking lots. I cant always go through the space in front of me alot of the times.

 

[Solidbob]

I use mine quite a bit, but I'm not on the Trike / as stated previously I also walk beside mine steering and mashing the button... hasn't failed yet. I have an asphalt drive to climb out of the garage and I back it out turning crossways the driveway then get on and put it in first a up we go... about 75' up-hill to my flat wide spot.

 

[beenthere]

I use mine quite a bit, but I'm not on the Trike / as stated previously I also walk beside mine steering and mashing the button... hasn't failed yet. I have an asphalt drive to climb out of the garage and I back it out turning crossways the driveway then get on and put it in first a up we go... about 75' up-hill to my flat wide spot.

That was kind of what I was going for.ranp or what ever. you don't

have to be on the trike to park it.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Sure glad I didn't know how weak reverse seems to be to a lot of people:Shrug: Triked my 06 in 2010. Been using reverse ever since I bought the bike. Never had a problem

 

[dogman513]

Never heard of actual starter breaking using reverse, but heard of the reverse itself going out, and when it does you aren't going anywhere. And its the whole harness from the right grip is what needs replacing.

 

[mgwtrike]

Seems like a awful lot to ask of a starter system, enough power/push to move 900+ pounds and turn the engine over..........

 

[dirtdobber]

Way back in the day when Honda's biggest bike was a 305. I can remember when guys used the starter to get up a steep hill, we rode in the woods a lot. I rode a Triumph not a problem for it. LOL
I never remember anyone having a starter problem. Just saying

I will say this is I got a Goldwing trike because of the reverse/power being already there. Less costly.

 

[SMSgt]

One reason I bought a Goldwing was for the reverse. I don't use it unless I have to.
Backing out of my garage and down the driveway is a slight downward slope so all I have to do is get it rolling and it rolls without any effort on my part.
I do look for opportunities to pull through a parking space of park on an incline enough so that I don't have to use reverse.
I am more concerned about the complicated mechanism to operate the reverse than I am the starter motor itself.

 

[FRR]

What all these folks have said is true. BUT, one other suggestion......When you depress the reverse button make sure to wait a second or two before trying to back up or you may damage the unit. I know of guys, and I've done it myself when we depress the button, get in a hurry, hit the reverse, and it only clicks.

I use mine seldom since my tech warned me that the cost of a repair if it was needed would certainly ruin me day.

 

[mgwtrike]

I know of guys, and I've done it myself when we depress the button, get in a hurry, hit the reverse, and it only clicks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a adjustment to control the clicking you write about to engage the reverse system ????

 

[mgwtrike]

You trike owners WITHOUT running boards, Question:

Is it easy/easier to push a trike on a flat surface over a two wheel bike??

My installer has his 2012 demo Roadsmith trike in his garage, and he showed me
how easy that trike is to push around OFF the trike and just wondered how easy
it moves with you ON the trike.

Cheers!

 

[msocko3]

You trike owners WITHOUT running boards, Question:

Is it easy/easier to push a trike on a flat surface over a two wheel bike??

My installer has his 2012 demo Roadsmith trike in his garage, and he showed me
how easy that trike is to push around OFF the trike and just wondered how easy
it moves with you ON the trike.

Cheers!

My 2012 Hannigan pushes a lot easier as a trike than it did 2 wheels, I hardly ever use reverse. I may have used reverse 1 time this year, and it was because I stuck my head in my back side and didn't selectively park .

 

[mgwtrike]

My 2012 Hannigan pushes a lot easier as a trike than it did 2 wheels, I hardly ever use reverse. I may have used reverse 1 time this year, and it was because I stuck my head in my back side and didn't selectively park .

Thanks, this is what I been hoping.

 

[FRR]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a adjustment to control the clicking you write about to engage the reverse system ????

Not that I or my tech knows of. I'm told when the reverse is engaged it activates a roller bar that is powered by the starter. It takes a second or two for that to happen and that is why if it is engaged too soon it doesn't have time to convert.

 

[Burnerboy]

Good info here....... thank you!

Ronnie

 

[M2102]

Reverse

When I first hot my 1500 had a local dealer tell me in reverse it would back up a 6" curb. I never tried it but did have a up hill slope about 5' long and maybe 4" high at top. Never even bogged down. Now with my 1800 trike I do use it farely often. I will take advantage of pull thru in a parking lot but still comfortable using reverse when need arises. I can't tell a difference between 2 wheels or 3 as far as using reverse.

 

[Ol' Man Jeb]

I've always been a believer that if it's available, use it. Otherwise, what's the point?
Maybe if one fears their tires will wear out or the seat will become squishy from overuse, make a showcase for the machine and you can sit back and just admire it. JMHOP

 

[CrystalPistol]

I know .... old post .... but I get asked the same thing often enough that I know someone will be clicking here.

If your feet reach the ground well enough to apply sufficient tractive effort, YES as no energy is required to balance the trike like a bike .... all effort can go into pushing.

Likewise, if dismounted standing beside the trike, all effort can go into the push and no worry about pushing it over onto the far side or dropping it.

I very seldom use reverse though it works well on our '97 GL1500 Trike. Occasionally, like maybe once every year or two ... I'll stand beside the trike with engine running and reverse engaged and I'll press the start button as I pull up and back with my left hand as I back it up onto ramps maybe.

On the road & looking to park, I drift backwards into down hill parking spaces by clearing my 6 first, whip a short U, pull clutch in and give a shove backards with me feets and coast in. If level, I also back in but give a couple shoves then.

If it's an uphill parking space like up at Frank's Pizza, I just pukk up into the space as it'll be easy to drift backards gettin' out ....

after clearing my 6.

One day years ago I pulled out in the lead on a ride and made a uphill turn to my right onto a secondary road from a parking lot.

Behind was a buddy two up on a bike as he made the turn, I guess he spun the rear tire in some loose stuff or just didn't get enough throttle, I saw the belly of the bike in my mirror. I went to do a quick U-turn on the narrow road, I knew it'd be tight .... slowed, checked both ways, used all the road but front wheel still dropped off good 3" high edge of pavement at far side .... and it only got deeper but I got her stopped before she went there.

I engaged reverse, pulled up on handlebars and hit start button and reverse backed it up onto pavement fast like. I cut wheel to opposite side and backed front tire away from edge, put in 1st, and returned to my buddy and group. (No serious injury, only his pride and a slight scratch ... his wife was unmarked, and bike did get scratched on saddle bag ....

but he triked it right after that.)

Had it not been for having reverse I am not sure what I would have done to get that front wheel back up over that pavement edge. I did not intend to let it drop over but I did just the same as I misjudged (....

it was the rake kit's fault kicking that tire out further). Probably would have had to wait and get another in the group to assist me.

I also don't use Reverse as a park brake. I have small chocks, a wedge for the front brake lever, and a 1st gear.

 

[OldNick]

My reverse consists of a a car's starter motor and ring gear (not flywheel). It is incredibly powerful and can push the trike and a camper trailer up a slope. On the flat, trike alone, it can do maybe 10kph!

I use it every day, as I either have to push on dirt and gravel to back into my spot, or go up a slope to get out.

It does make a horrendous noise: cars have covers over their ring gear and still can be fairly loud.