300EX Replacement Reverse Shifter

300 EX Replacement Reverse Shifter End the 300 EX Reverse Blues

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Tom Bukowski

      This unpleasant scenario is all too common to Honda 300 EX owners:

1. Start the cold blooded machine and nurse the throttle
2. Engage and hold the clutch mounted reverse lockout with your left hand
3. Attempt to pull up the left engine case mounted reverse lever with your right hand
4. ATV stalls
5. See step # 1

    The above scenario happens to most 300 EX owners, especiallyon colder days. Though a class leading machine, the reverse engagement procedure on the 300 EX can best be described as an advanced lesson in “The flexibility limits of the human body” or just plain ol’ !@*$&#^@!! by the less sophisticated. When colder weather comes to town and a 300 EX is in our riding stables we normally back the 300 in to avoid using reverse or simply push the machine outside. Even with a warm engine, the reverse procedure itself has way too many steps than most folks like and is more difficult than it should be. Sure, it is still less work than pushing or pulling the machine to back up, but there must be a better way.

The folks at Erickson Tool observed the annoyance and luckily for you decided to do something about it. Their 300 EX Foot Reverse Shifter simply replaces the left side case hand lever with a foot-operated lever so your right hand can stay on the handlebar/throttle where it belongs. Engaging/disengaging reverse is as simple as lifting or pressing down on the new lever with your left foot, sitting or standing it is just as easy. Two simple words sum up Erickson Tool’s creation- IT WORKS!Mounting the lever involves removing the hand lever via one bolt and a cotter pin and replacing the lever with the new foot lever and supplied hitch pin to replace the cotter. We had a little difficulty removing the stock steel cotter pin so the gear shifter and reverse shifter were removed to gain access. If the reverse and foot shifters are removed they should be precisely marked to insure they are installed in the same position. Instructions are also included to bypass the handle bar reverse lockout if desired. Fifteen minutes later we were happy campers, as the reverse engagement procedure became much easier and the new shifter did not interfere in any way with normal riding. We already have a special spot set aside in our riding stables to keep the 300 EX Reverse Foot Shifter ready and waiting for the next time we have a 300 EX.