Backing Up My CVO on Gravel Was Getting Old. Here's What Changed.
I'm only 5'10". On paper, that doesn't sound like a problem. On gravel, backing up a fully loaded CVO Street Glide at an upward angle with my wife on the back — it absolutely is.
It wasn't one dramatic moment that pushed me to finally do something about it. It was the accumulation. The ten seconds of anxiety every time I pulled into a spot that wasn't perfectly flat. The mental math of figuring out whether the exit would be clean before I even parked. The way my wife would quietly tense up when she felt the rear wheel start to slide on loose ground.
I'd been riding long enough to know that confidence on a bike isn't just about what happens at speed. A lot of it is the stuff that happens in parking lots. And mine had been slowly eroding.
"Backing at an upward angle or on gravel was getting to be a pain. Having auto reverse has been awesome. Can back anywhere — and with the wife still on back."
What I Was Looking For
I didn't want a mechanical kit. The idea of permanently modifying the transmission on a Stage 4 CVO didn't sit right with me. I'd read enough forum threads about clutch-operated systems to know that on a bike with aftermarket exhaust, reaching that lever isn't always clean — and on gravel with a passenger, the last thing I need is a clutch operation I have to think about.
I found Eagle King after some digging. Plug-and-play, brushless motor, no drilling, connects through the diagnostic port. The 3-year warranty mattered too — not because I expected problems, but because a company willing to back something for three years usually believes in what they built.
The price gave me pause. $1,799 is real money. But I kept coming back to the same thought: I bought a Stage 4 CVO. The bike cost more than some cars. The idea of not spending $1,799 to make it genuinely enjoyable in every situation started to feel like false economy.
Eagle King kit installed on Jason's 2017 CVO Street Glide with Rinehart Racing exhaust. The fit is clean — sits flush against the transmission.
After the Install
I had it installed at my shop. The tech didn't have any issues — the Rinehart exhaust has enough clearance that there was no adjustment needed. Total time was right around three hours.
The first time I used it was pulling out of a gravel lot after lunch with my wife still on the back. I pressed the button, the bike moved smoothly backward, and I pulled forward into the street without a second thought. My wife said nothing. That was the point — it was supposed to feel like nothing.
Jason's CVO Street Glide. The reverse kit is visible on the left side of the transmission — low profile, no visual compromise to a clean build.
I've used it dozens of times since. Gravel lots, sloped driveways, tight downtown streets where reversing was the only way out. The action is smooth every time — not hesitant, not jerky. You hold the start button and the bike moves. That's it.
"It's very smooth and I would buy it again and again. 5 stars all the way. Not to mention — my motor is black and it looks great on it."
From another rider
Wayne reviews the Eagle King kit after installation — bad knees, bad back, and a bike that now goes wherever he needs it to go.
Other riders, same experience
"Bought one for my wife's 24 Road King. My wife felt the reverse speed was a little faster than she was comfortable with initially — there is a slower speed option that's easy to select. That made it perfect for her. After using hers a couple of times I decided to put one on my 24 Road Glide. I've got a 30 inch inseam so backing up on anything other than solid asphalt can be challenging. All in all very happy with the purchase. Customer service was great — we had an issue with the initial unit. They responded very quickly and sent out a replacement at no charge."
"Absolutely a great piece of machinery — goes in and out of reverse like butter. Well built, 3-year warranty, can't beat it. I have had other mechanical reverse kits. This Eagle King is far superior than any other I have tried. I know the Eagle King reverse kit is a lot of money for most guys but I am here to tell you it's worth every dollar. Ride safe — forward and backwards."
"I have bad knees and a bad back. I keep it in my shop so I either have to back it in or out from grass. It's a game changer. I love it."
Stop Pushing Your Harley Backwards.
Compatible with all Touring models 2014–2026 · Ships directly from the factory
The reviews and experiences on this page reflect the personal accounts of individual riders. Individual results may vary. All product information and current pricing should be verified directly at eaglekingtech.com before purchase.