Dumb question time - reverse gear?

[brucealmighty]

I've been wondering for a while now, why don't bikes the size of my '82 XJ1100 have a reverse gear? At around 700 lbs, it's about as heavy as motorcycles come. They may have increased the engine displacement considerably over the years, but not the weight. In fact, reading the specs on the Triumph Rocket III (2300ccs), I see that it's still only around 700 lbs. So, why aren't bikes this heavy built with a reverse gear? Am I the only rider who wishes his bike had one when trying to back out of a parking space at even a slight incline? I've had to endure being the butt of my Fred Flintstone jokes. Is it an idea that was tried, but didn't work out?

[mason79]

real time terrain evaluation, back in on declines or bring a friend

[79XS11F]

because too many people have trouble them forward never mind backward :-)
Rob

[AlanB]

Hi Bruce,

Mason has it; just look at where you are going, and think about it before you park; You should never have to back it up an incline!

AlanB

[trbig]

Don't know about others, but the XS is a pretty simple machine. I think they meant to keep it that way. Something like that would only be something else to break. I don't know when Goldwings started using them, but they are considerably more than our bikes in weight. If you forgot to do your treadmill exercises today, just park it downhill against a curb. Pull it backwards while in the saddle.... two inches at a time. You'll be a happy camper when you finally get the wind blowing on you again (To dry the sweat!) lol.


Tod

[79XS11F]

If I find myself in a situation where I must back the bike up an incline .. like through the low spots in my lane way ... I bounce it backward with help from the front forks. hold the front brake force down on the forks and let go of the brake as the forks bounce back and use that as a push off as you also push back with your feet. works good for me.
Rob

[trbig]

Rob,

In my mind's eye... I see you as one of those toy birds that sits on the edge of the glass and looks like it takes a drink over and over... lol. Sorry..


Tod

[79XS11F]

LOL LOL hey the lane ways not THAT bad lol lol
Rob

[brucealmighty]

Originally posted by trbig
Rob,

In my mind's eye... I see you as one of those toy birds that sits on the edge of the glass and looks like it takes a drink over and over... lol. Sorry..


Tod

Yeah, that is pretty amusing to think about, ain't it?

[brucealmighty]

Originally posted by AlanB
Hi Bruce,

Mason has it; just look at where you are going, and think about it before you park; You should never have to back it up an incline!

AlanB

Well, of course, I try not to get into such a situation in the first place, but there are times it can't be avoided. There are other times as well, that a reverse gear would be great. On my XJ1100, as with some other large bikes I've owned, sometimes the brakes will stiffen up and drag if the bike sits for a period without being moved. Then, just trying to roll it across level ground is enough to make me sweat, and at my age, that's usually followed up by a nap.

[egsols]

Could always mount a little eletric winch on a back rack with a grappling hook on the end. Simpler than redsigning the tranny.

[fredintoon]

Hi Bruce,
what Mason said. Never park anywhere you can't drive away from going forwards.
Take that extra time to roll the back wheel into the kerb with the nose pointing out. Park it like a Harley, man. You learn this real quick if you ride a sidecar outfit. It's actually easier to push a rig backwards that it is to push a solo because you can lean over the front wheel and give a two-handed shove on the bars and know the bike won't fall over. But you also know that strangers are watching you do this and nudging each other and pointing and saying "Look, there's a fellow that failed to plan ahead."