Reverse rarely works

I had the same problem with my first Vectrix.

It was solved by replacing the scooter with a new (albeit worse) scooter, because the main fuse blew and the Australian distributor was unable to diagnose and fix the problem!

My second Vectrix, now called the Vectux, has had no problems with the reverse function. As long as it comes to a complete halt first, then it will engage.

With the first one I had to push the throttle forward repeatedly most of the time to get it to work.

I am having a similar problem with a brand new 2008 Vectrix. I would say it works after some fiddling but not reliably. It has not bothered me all that much but its is a tricky function. On the other hand, I'd rather have this engage reluctantly than stand teh chance of this to engage too early, i.e. when the regen slows the bike to a stop.

You need to twist the throttle just enough to almost go forwards then twist for reverse and it should then work.

While there could indeed be a small problem with your throttle settings, my own experience has taught me that the reverse function on these bikes is LOADED with safety disconnects.

If your bike is even slightly moved manually, the reverse will not engage until you completely stop and re-initiate the reverse function. If your bike moves on its own while your backing up, ie. if you start reversing, then coast backward under no power, you will have to completely stop the bike and re-initiate the reverse function. Your reverse is a one-shot deal. If you interrupt it, you'll have to start over. I like this function, but it does get frustrating at times.

Your reverse is a one-shot deal. If you interrupt it, you'll have to start over.

This is exactly what I have found. I hold the back brake on to ensure there's no movement of the back wheel, then apply reverse. There is a slight delay, but it will cut in. Also the "R" light doesn't come on until the bike has started to move, maybe as much as half a metre.

I'd rather have it than not.

So what's the safety concern with allowing the reverse feature to function if the bike is already rolling slightly backward?

It seems like it would be a simple firmware tweak to allow the feature to engage if the bike wasn't moving forward rather than only from a dead stop, and the behavior seems like it would be both more predictable and less tempermental.

So what's the safety concern with allowing the reverse feature to function if the bike is already rolling slightly backward?

It seems like it would be a simple firmware tweak to allow the feature to engage if the bike wasn't moving forward rather than only from a dead stop, and the behavior seems like it would be both more predictable and less tempermental.

I don't find anything wrong with the current reverse function described in previous posts. It works fine as it is.

So what's the safety concern with allowing the reverse feature to function if the bike is already rolling slightly backward?

The old law theory that if anything bad CAN happen, it WILL and at the most inoportune time. ;-)

I don't think a reverse should work like a forward gear... Going backwards on two wheels isn't as straight forward as on four. It's mainly used to reverse on tight parking spaces, and I would much prefer if it simply engaged each time a twist forward rather than having to be a continuous twist that it makes it gain speed and throw you off balance. The "R" sign appears whenever the wheels roll backwards whether you're reversing the throttle or just pushing with your feet.

Overall I still find the reverse feature useful but very very Iffy

I prefer it the way it is - as I would have done some damage to the bike when I - in error - slipped whilst in reverse and I recovered by grabbing the handle and twisting it some more as I regained my balance. If the control wasn't the one-shot deal, I would have had a major problem. You can always re-set so that reverse will again kick in.

Incidentally, the R light comes on as a result of the wheels going in reverse, (Powered or unpowered) it has nothing to do with engaging reverse using the throttle.

I have a similar experience with mine. There might be several explanations, but the origin is likely safety as mentioned previously. The controller might not know for sure the motor direction when maneuvering at crawl speed so it needs to measure zero speed for long enough before it will engage reverse.

Marsu
..waiting for his pack to defrost :-p

As others have said - the Vectrix has to be completely stationary for a few moments before twisting the throttle control forwards to engage reverse.

The safety interlocks are a sound idea. Once the rider gets used to the regime it is easy enough to use in practise. Just don't be tempted to force the issue or you'll set yourself up for a world of frustration using it :D

As others have said - the Vectrix has to be completely stationary for a few moments before twisting the throttle control forwards to engage reverse.

The safety interlocks are a sound idea. Once the rider gets used to the regime it is easy enough to use in practise. Just don't be tempted to force the issue or you'll set yourself up for a world of frustration using it :D

As I said before: I had both a malfunctioning and now have a reverse that works as it should.

It has nothing to do with getting used to it if it's not working properly! If it does not work right, then you can push the throttle forward at a complete standstill and the bike will only move 1/3 or so of the time, at random. Very annoying.

I prefer it the way it is - as I would have done some damage to the bike when I - in error - slipped whilst in reverse and I recovered by grabbing the handle and twisting it some more as I regained my balance. If the control wasn't the one-shot deal, I would have had a major problem. You can always re-set so that reverse will again kick in.

Incidentally, the R light comes on as a result of the wheels going in reverse, (Powered or unpowered) it has nothing to do with engaging reverse using the throttle.

Yes indeed. I back my Vectrix into my garage through the same opening (single care wide) as my car. The car is there but pulled in far enough that I can back my bike in at an angle and then swing the front around to park right beside the car, with the front pointing outward. It's a tricky maneuver but easy to do with reverse power. Anyway, just about two weeks ago I was backing in and my right leg got extended too far and my hand was incapable of rotating backwards because of how my body was situated on the bike. The reverse was pushing the bike back and making the situation worse. The bike was leaning to the right and would fall over if I tried to retract my right leg. I was only a second or two from plowing into my bicycles and Valkyrie motorcycle. I glanced down in that moment when you'd be seeing your life pass before you (had this been a life threatening incident) and noticed that kill switch. Since my hand was rotated forward and I couldn't bring it back, I pushed my thumb over there and engaged the kill switch. At that point I was able to push the bike forward (or rather pull it with my over-extended right foot) and get everything balanced again. Crisis diverted.

The end result was that I just bumped into the tires of the bicycles a bit and no damage was done. Anyway, that reverse sure can be tricky at times. The inconsistent responsiveness of it led to this near-accident, but I'm still glad that we have it and will continue to exercise extra care when utilizing it.

The inconsistent responsiveness of it led to this near-accident, but I'm still glad that we have it and will continue to exercise extra care when utilizing it.

It can be fixed to respond reliably, AFAIK.

Ask the technician to adjust it when you have it "serviced" next time.