I Tested Every Harley Reverse Kit Available. Here's What I Found.

I spent 22 years as a mechanic at a Harley dealership. I've seen every kind of aftermarket kit come through the shop — the good ones, the junk ones, and everything in between. So when I decided I wanted a reverse kit for my own Ultra Limited, I wasn't going to just order the first thing I found online.

I spent three months researching, calling manufacturers, reading forum threads, and talking to other riders who'd actually installed these things. What follows is what I found — the honest version, without any agenda.

Spoiler: only one kit passed every test I set for myself. But let me walk you through the process.

What I Was Looking For

Before I started, I wrote down my criteria. After 22 years in a shop, I knew exactly what separates a quality install from a headache:

No permanent modifications. I may sell this bike someday. Any kit that requires drilling into the gear shaft or permanently altering the transmission was immediately disqualifying.

Brushless motor. Carbon brush motors wear out. They generate heat, they create resistance, and eventually they fail. A brushless motor is not optional in my book — it's the baseline for anything I'd put on my bike.

Clean installation. I've seen aftermarket kits that look like someone bolted on a lawnmower engine. The kit needs to look like it belongs there.

Real warranty and real support. Not a 90-day piece of paper. I wanted a company that answers the phone and backs their product for at least two years.

The Mechanical Kits — Why I Ruled Them Out

The mechanical kits have been around longer and have more name recognition. Baker Drivetrain and MotorTrike are the two most common. I looked at both seriously.

The problem with mechanical kits is that they require permanent modifications to your transmission. You're drilling into the gear shaft — there's no way around it. Once that's done, it's done. You can't reverse it cleanly, and it affects resale value.

Beyond that, the carbon brush motors on mechanical kits have a lifespan issue. I've personally replaced failed reverse motors at the dealership. It's not catastrophic — but it's a repair you shouldn't have to make on a $1,500 kit.

The mechanical kits are not bad products. They work. But they weren't right for my criteria.

The Electric Options — What's Actually Available

The electric reverse market for Harley Touring is smaller than most people think. There aren't a dozen options — there are really only a few worth considering, and most of them are variations of the same Chinese-manufactured motor with different brand names slapped on.

I found Eagle King after about six weeks of searching. What caught my attention was that they were transparent about their engineering in a way most competitors weren't. Brushless motor — confirmed. Plug-and-play through the diagnostic port — confirmed. No drilling — confirmed. Three-year warranty — confirmed.

I called them. Someone picked up on the second ring. I spent 20 minutes on the phone with a technical rep who answered every question I threw at him — gear ratio, torque specs, sensor compatibility on 2023+ models, exhaust clearance requirements. He knew the product inside out.

That phone call sealed it for me. In my experience, companies that know their product that well usually make a good product.

My Verdict — Side by Side

Yes, Eagle King is more expensive than the mechanical options. But when I looked at what I was getting for the extra $300-$600 — brushless motor, no permanent mods, three-year warranty, fully reversible install — the math wasn't hard.

Three Months In

I installed it myself. Took about three and a half hours, which is normal for this type of kit. The fit was clean — it looks like it came with the bike. My exhaust is stock, so no clearance issues.

The reverse action is smooth. Not jerky, not hesitant. You engage it from neutral, hold the start button, and the bike moves backward at a controlled pace. There's a speed adjustment if you want it slower — my wife uses that setting when she takes the bike out.

Three months of regular use. No issues. No noise. No wear that I can see. The brushless motor runs cool and quiet.

If I were still working at the dealership and a customer asked me what reverse kit to buy for their Touring model, I'd tell them Eagle King without hesitation. Not because of any relationship with the company — I have none — but because after 22 years of seeing what lasts and what doesn't, this is the one I'd put on my own bike.

Which is exactly what I did.