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[kiro]

After a good deal of investigation, I decided to have a Baker F6R reverse kit installed on my bike. Thanks to Joe (JoeVibe) for his input and help selecting which reverse kit – I definitely think the Baker kit was the way to go, and so far have been pleased with the installation. Besides adding the reverse gear, the bike is shifting smoother and as Baker points out, finding neutral is much simplified.

Baker cover on left, stock on right. The green reflection on the chrome is from landscaping next to the driveway

The kit was purchased with the rear facing solenoid so no exhaust modification was required to my Fullsac headers. After seeing the optional handlebar switch, I had this installed in lieu of the fairing mounted toggle, as noted in the image below right. The work was done by R&R Cycle in New Hampshire.

The primary reason for adding reverse in my case was to back the bike into the building where both are parked at night. There’s enough of a driveway pitch that turning on a jack or pushing backwards uphill and over the threshold wasn’t feasible without assistance. Driving out each time is great and there’s no more turning in the driveway required. Shifting into reverse is easy from 1st gear (R-1-N-2-3-4-5-6 shift pattern) - pull the clutch, engage the toggle and shift down into reverse. To exit reverse, clutch & shift back into 1st gear. Once the toggle is released reverse is locked out so there’s no danger of a gear conflict.

[RGlideKid]

Hey Kiro, very cool mod! 
I would love to have one, especially for when we have the Bushtec behind us.  I'm hoping you'll to post an updated review in a few weeks time after you've formed an opinion of not only the reverse gear, but the other 6 speeds as well!
Can you tell us how many labor hours it took to remove and replace the tranny?
The bonus is, it's a nice look for the bike also!

[Rooster]

And it makes that part of your motor area MORE SHINY

[kiro]

very cool mod!

The first time I backed into my 'condo' where I keep the bikes I knew this was money well spent Harry... I'll post an update after a get more miles on the scoot, but I suspect if there was going to be an installation issue I would have had it already - been about 300 miles since the tranny was pulled. The shop is 100 miles from home and I didn't spare the fuel on the maiden voyage back - it was terrific. Everything related to shifting has smoothed out and it's not nearly as clunky. The shop got rid of all the Syn3, used Red Line in the tranny, and Lucas products in the primary and engine. Not sure if this resulted in less noise or not, but there is a difference. Baker indicates the install is around 7 to 9 hours. The shop, a Baker distributor, estimated 12 hours but the bike ended up there from a Monday morning drop off to a Thursday morning pick up as they had a lot going on and I needed to arrange a ride back. Baker indicates people with average mechanical  skills could do this, but it looked quite involved to me. You need some specialized tools besides having to remove and press gears onto the countershaft. Baker has the installation instructions posted on their website if you wish to review the process. Joe indicated this was the best mod he ever did on his bike - I can certainly understand this to be the case.

[RonandJanet]

This is something that would be nice. I have to always be careful of where I park to make sure I can get back out. I can't wait to hear how great this is after a few more miles.!

[JoeVibe]

Joe indicated this was the best mod he ever did on his bike - I can certainly understand this to be the case.

Going forward fast is awesome but going backward under power is just plain cool!! My friends have learned not to follow me into parking spots. A lot of times, I purposely park with the front end down hill, just because I can.

The Baker F6R kit rocks!!

[Para Bellum]

I would love to have one, especially for when we have the Bushtec behind us.

I haven't had much luck trying to back the Bushtec; it jack-knifes pretty quickly and won't straighten out.  Maybe other trailer owners can relate their experiences.

[skycat]

From my recent research into the reverse gear upgrade for my Street Glide you have made the best call, the Baker kit is the best but also the most expensive.
I guess You get what you pay for.
I have just ordered my kit, cant wait to see the faces of my mates when i hook reverse and back up 

[kiro]

Looks like we came to the same conclusion on the F6R skycat. Not an inexpensive modification, but you'll find it has benefits beyond just the reverse gear once you start using it. Let us know how you make out once yours goes in.

[RayG]

Now Joe that is just plain mean parking like that.  I would do the same if I could!  I can tell you that Kiro's bike purrs like a Kitten, I had the pleasure of driving it for awhile going to Laconia during Bike week.  I have reverse also but only when my wife is with me,  sometimes I have to get off and help her out.  Kiro won't admit it but many people were stopping to admire his bike when we parked at the Vendors area. 

We even had an attractive rather large breasted woman at the Mustang Seat Co. booth feel the need to impress her investments deep into our chest for photo purposes.  She was awful proud of her chest and she wanted us to have that feeling as well.  I just hated it!  I think there might be a photo of that event.   

Nice mod

[kiro]

I have reverse also but only when my wife is with me

LOL - a good woman indeed, but I'd venture a guess the F6R is cheaper in the long run...

I think there might be a photo of that event.

Like the one below? You just never know when you run with someone who always has a camera along.

RayG at Mustang Seats

[moscooter]

 
I've always felt like Harley should have made a (reverse) standard equipment on the Ultras,  especially an expensive SE CVO.

Could ya "ballpark" the trans cost and associated labor/install costs,  I got rid of my SE Ultra and into a Street Glide Special largely because of the 150 pounds of LESS WEIGHT.  Still could use a reverse with the SGS too,  but need to understand how costly that might be..........my wife helps push it out of the garage backwards,  but is not always there when "reverse" would be needed.

[RayG]

Who's that scruffy old guy?  That can't be me,  heck I don't even have gray hair.  You better check your camera.  I think there was another photo, but you have the Royalties.

 

[kiro]

Could ya "ballpark" the trans cost and associated labor/install costs

Sure can moscooter, but no need to ballpark... I agree that the MoCo should provide reverse for what our CVO's cost. The F6R kit was $2k through the shop. You can save $100 if you stay with the fairing mounted momentary toggle, but the handlebar switch looked good and was of excellent quality - once I did an eyes on the part knew this was what I wanted. I was provided a labor estimate of 12 hours plus new fluids & miscellaneous parts, so that end of it was $1,500. I was concerned on the labor cost as the length of time they kept my bike was extended. Not certain how many hours they actually took, but they stayed with the estimate, so it was $3,500 in total actual cost. I'd talked with them about this last year when I was still on the west coast, but never got the bike to them before winter - the estimate was higher this year but it was exactly what I was told so there was no surprises. If Baker offered their seven speed transmission with reverse I would have had that installed, but it was one or the other. I may or may not ever need reverse on the road, but I don't view this a frivolous expense for safety and peace of mind, and it's already provided benefits. Plus I plan on keeping my Ultra Classic until I can no longer ride...

[JoeVibe]

Trust me, it's worth every penny!! I use it every time I ride and smile every time I use it. Never have to worry about how or where I park, and the looks on the faces of the other riders when you back it up hill is priceless!!