2013 Spyder RT Limited SM5 reverse works but won't back up a hill due to limiter

[PonderosaRT]

My 2013 Spyder has been unable to back up using reverse gear on anything but a level surface since day one. It shifts into reverse just fine, but there is no power available when in reverse. This "safety feature" electronically limits the revs when in reverse. I presume that this is to prevent someone from unintentionally backing up at high speed. The power I get at the rear wheel is barely enough to move the machine at walking speed while in reverse on a level surface. Backing uphill, even slightly uphill is impossible. I see that Can Am ATVs have this feature but they also have a manual override button to make backing up possible in any situation. I've searched the forums on this site high and low and have seen at least two descriptions of this same exact problem but none of the comments were of any help. I've called several dealers in several different states and none could offer any assistance, so please don't suggest calling a dealer unless you know from personal experience of a dealer that can truly help with this problem - in that case please give me their contact info. Also, please don't lecture me about how to operate a clutch and/or throttle. After well over 50 years in the saddle and behind the wheel of hundreds of different motorcycles, cars and trucks I think I have the hang of manual transmissions by now. Learning to live with this defect (NOT a feature) is not acceptable. I don't care if my Spyder is "protecting" me from racing up my driveway backwards at 50 mph. As it is, I can't pull out of my driveway at all (it's all uphill from my garage), so I have to stop at the top and back it all the way down. Not convenient, and if I forget and just pull into the garage like any normal person operating any normal vehicle then I need to maneuver this cumbersome rig 180 degrees before I can get out of my drive.

I know this topic has been brought up by others somewhere on the forums but I haven't seen any solutions to this problem. Can anyone help?

Thanks!

 

[Mikey]

Your forward movement OK, no slippage??