Is Reverse A Low Gear, Or Higher?

[DaniBoy]

So Yesterday, I was going down my hill to go to the grocery store, and realized that I had forgotten my wallet. I stopped just past a neighbor’s driveway, put the bike into reverse and backed up hill into their driveway to turn around. I could feel the clutch chatter very roughly when I accelerated to back up. This only lasted for maybe a second or so. I have stopped on this hill and then taken off going forward in 1st gear just fine. So what is reverse’s gearing equivalent to a forward gear? It felt like maybe 3rd, but I’m not sure. I just hope I didn’t damage her!

[Gwolf]

Reverse is supposed to be the same ratio as first.

[ottawa-rider]

Also note that for safety reason, the max rpm is limited while in reverse.

[Steve W.]

Are you sure it was the clutch that was chattering? I have found that going up a ramp in reverse (essentially the same thing) has some serious traction issues compared to going forward. I think the change in direction pulls the rear wheel up, reducing traction. Find an area that less-than-perfect traction, like sand, gravel, etc. Try to take off from a stop going forward. Nanny might kick in with traction control, or you might get a small rooster tail, but there is basically no drama. Try the same thing in reverse, I have found that the rear wheel spins rather happily.

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[EdMat]

Good example of weight transfer. Going forward uphill weight is transferred to the rear wheel, lots of drive traction. Going backwards uphill weight is transferred to the front wheels, reduces drive traction considerably. .

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Also note that for safety reason, the max rpm is limited while in reverse.

Which limits speed in reverse to 9 mph, or 15 kph.

[vito1943]

Which limits speed in reverse to 9 mph, or 15 kph.

9 mph is pretty fast for Reverse. I find the system in the Spyder to be far superior to the Reverse feature that I had on my Goldwing, where it uses the starter motor to move you at precisely 1 mph, no faster nor slower. It tended to feel very jerky, unlike the Reverse on the Spyder which feels very smooth and controllable.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

9 mph is pretty fast for Reverse.

In ordinary circumstances it is. When I discovered the limit I was on a stretch of old unused 2 lane state highway that was blocked by fill for the newer highway and bridge. I decided to back up rather than turn around as I needed to go only about 500 feet and decided this was a good time to learn more about the Spyder's reverse handling! As I remember my Spyder was very stable and I felt no fear or concern about how it handled in reverse.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

9 mph is pretty fast for Reverse. I find the system in the Spyder to be far superior to the Reverse feature that I had on my Goldwing, where it uses the starter motor to move you at precisely 1 mph, no faster nor slower. It tended to feel very jerky, unlike the Reverse on the Spyder which feels very smooth and controllable.

I had a few Wings, I NEVER wanted to go any faster ..... Mike

[bigbadbrucie]

I had a few Wings, I NEVER wanted to go any faster ..... Mike

I agree Mike, but.....remember that with the “wings” you had to balance the bike while you were back-peddling with your feet. Not so with the Spyder.