Memphis Shades Batwing - Update 2X

[RodMyers]

My initial review of the Memphis Shades Batwing, 7" windshield, and pouch system, on 1999 Honda Valkyrie Standard.

I'm 5' 11", and have "The Ultimate Seat" low version.

Ordered from Motorcycle-Superstores.com, 11/24/09.

Arrived 12/01/09.

It used my existing Memphis Shades Fats mounting hardware.

The Batwing, once removed from the shipping box, is sturdy & heavy. So should not move when riding at any speed. (just took it for a ride into town, with 45' weather. Nothing moved, nice fit.

The windshield, is 7" clear. Upon installation, almost 1/2 of the windshield is below the top of the fairing, for added stability.

The 3 pouch assembly, with the plastic mounting backing. Sturdy as well.

It would help if there are 2 people present to help install and secure all pieces, and they all need to be flexed into position. 2 hand annoying, 4 hands would help keep things stable.

Once I assembled everything on the living room floor, and made sure everything was tightened and snug, I walked the batwing into the garage, to be mounted on the Valkyrie.

Since it utilized the previous mounting hardware, everything mounted as expected.

12/3/09 - First ride.

It was 45' this morning when I rode from my house to the local town.

The pouch system is a Pain In The Ass (PITA). It hangs over the Speedo/Tach gauges. No way of raising them from the stock position. Bad design. (1)

The batwing kept the hands from being hit directly. Nice little warm area, kept my hands warm in the cool weather.

The 7" windshield. Nice design, etc. The Bad news. When riding, it deflected right at the bridge of my nose. Looks like I'll need to return the 7" windshield, and get the 12" windshield.

(1) Update 1. Removed the batwing from the bike, adjusted the mounting brackets all of the way to the top of the forks. This made a noticeable difference in viewing the gauges. Will know more saturday, once I go for another ride.


Here is a link to the pics;







Update 2X

Adjusted the Batwing (BW), and mounting brackets, to where the gauges are now visible.

The windscreen now deflects the wind to my forehead. Still not tall enough to keep the wind out of my face

Making some progress in getting the BW to be functional, for me.

It'll be spring before I get another/taller windshield.

I hope this helps some of you make your decisions.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Pretty sure that's the same fairing Crazyhouse has on his Valkyrie... I like the looks 




This is mine its a Hoppe and used the OEM Tourer hardware to mount.

[bsnicely]

Thanks for the report Rod, I am really thinking about that batwing. I already have Memphis Shades windshield so I am half way home.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

  Thanks for the report. I too am looking closely at the batwing.

[Crazyhorse]

I'm real happy with my batwing. I too order the 7" shield but then went to the 9". I was wondering how those pouches looked. Thanks for the post.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I'm real happy with my batwing. I too order the 7" shield but then went to the 9". I was wondering how those pouches looked. Thanks for the post.

Is that a Cobra lightbar with yours? That's what I have and wondered if their is any interference.

[RodMyers]

I took the pics this morning, rather quickly. If anyone wants another view, please let me know.

[Crazyhorse]

National Cycle lightbar.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

National Cycle lightbar.

 

[Sodbuster]

I took the pics this morning, rather quickly. If anyone wants another view, please let me know.

If you don't mind me asking how much did that bad boy run ya ??

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

You can get the fairing, mounting kit and choice of windshield on ebay for about $300 shipped.

[fudgie]

Looks nice! 

A think about them pouches tho. You may hate then after the summer. Not saying yours will but I had a set of 'plastic backed' pouches. After the summer they started sagging and flexing. Hated them. I think the gauges were the only think holding them up! lol I only carried my road 'neccesaries' in them  , nothing heavy. I went with Harley's shield pouches. They are attached to metal and will not sag. I had them on my tourer windshield and loved them. I now have them mounted to my HD batwing. The HD may fit yours since you have a 3 holed windsheild. $100 at the stealer but seen them as low as $20 on ebay.

[RodMyers]

Looks nice! 

A think about them pouches tho. You may hate then after the summer. Not saying yours will but I had a set of 'plastic backed' pouches. After the summer they started sagging and flexing. Hated them. I think the gauges were the only think holding them up! lol I only carried my road 'neccesaries' in them  , nothing heavy. I went with Harley's shield pouches. They are attached to metal and will not sag. I had them on my tourer windshield and loved them. I now have them mounted to my HD batwing. The HD may fit yours since you have a 3 holed windsheild. $100 at the stealer but seen them as low as $20 on ebay.

These should not sag. They have a sturdy piece of plastic sandwiched between the pouches and windshield. That was one of the reasons I had a difficult time getting everything mounted. Everything was very stiff

[Ghost]

   I used an old Harley fairing on my Valkyrie, For the same money now i should have went with the Memphis Shades set up. Memphis has a much cleaner look from the inside where it mounts than i got with the Harley. I really like the look of the Memphis Shades inside and out.

[NITRO]

So if I already have the Memphis Shades ws I only need to order the fairing itself?

[6jugzz]

Here is mine mod using a "05" ultra classic I got off of ebay. I have added chrome lowers and a new "klockworkz" wind screen since this pic. 

[chip]

Thanks  for sharing your experience with us ,I am chomping at the bit thinking about the bat wing. My current ride is an I/S, so I'm used to the big fairing. I have a second Valk although a salvage title/with a prior salvage title in the works, my hopes are to set it up with the memphis shades bat wing ,a solo seat and fender rack, Love the look and was wondering about the mounting hardware. The windshield and mounting hardware were damaged with the bike, and I don't believe it was a Memphise Shades anyway.So even with the mounting hardware about 300.00 ? I'm happy with that.

[¿spoom]

Maybe use the gauge relocation kit from XF6 http://xf6-custom.com/partpages/tach2.html to bring them towards you? That'd leave you plenty of room to even add a toolbag type pouch. That's what I run;
Keep in mind I have 3" pullback risers on mine so the gauges are 3" farther back than the kit would normally do. It includes a longer speedo cable and there's plenty of extra wire inside the headlamp so there's no need to cut anything or splice. Everything unplugs from the headlamp can.

[ssober]

Here is some fresh shots of mine
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j314/ssober/011.jpg[/img]]
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j314/ssober/009-1.jpg[/img]]

[RodMyers]

Here is some fresh shots of mine

Dang, where were you when people asked for pics?