Ok, so i'm not a big fan of the fairings on bikes but am considering getting one of these Batwings in order to make riding year round a lil more easy. Hopefully, it will take off alot of the actual windchill from riding during the winter months. My question tho is this, I would like to be able to use the batwing during the cool weather and remove it for the warm weather. How much of a pain is it to install and remove the batwing or is it pretty simple? Thanks.
Compliments to angliam, this is the kind of "winter" look I'd like to go for.
LOOKING TO BUY: Corbin Young Guns Seat for 900 Custom
All memphis shade stuff comes with quick disconnect trigger locks, if you don't have passing lights, 5 seconds tops. To install it is around a 2 hour job.
K, again I appreciate the help. My last and most important question is about windshield length (5,7,9, or 12 inches). I'm 6'2" and as stated earlier I want the fairing for winter riding to avoid the windchill. My bike is lowered 3" which I think will help also, but I still want to go as small of a windshield as I can get away with while avoiding the wind, any suggestions on shield height?
If you measure straight up from 65 on the speedometer bezel to the top of the windshield, a 9" shield sits at about 16". The rake and height of the fairing itself are slightly adjustable, probably moreso for a Custom but for a Classic the headlight limits how far back/down the fairing will go.
I am so glad I read this. I have been trying to adjust my batwing fairing and find very little room for adjustment because of the headlight. I thought I was going crazy. All I want is for the batwing to be same angle as my forks and can't even do that. I was thinking of switching to a regular windshield or buy a larger upper shield part to fix the wind problem. My shield only reaches my chin when I sit upright.
I've had my batwing for about 6 months now. It's real easy to remove, takes all of about 2 minutes to release the locks and pick it off. I have a bit of task reinstalling it due to the headlamp visor that keeps me from tilting it forward enough when putting back on, so I just place it on the top two fitting and the screw the bottom ones on when the batwing is in the correct position. I took the allen wrench and ground down one end to about a 1/4 inch nub, so that I could get to the screw..... Other that that, its worth the effort, especially if you like to ride all year long, below 30 degrees. That's when it really makes a difference on your hands. Install heated grips along with the wing, and you are good to go all winter. I do tend to back off riding when it gets to 10 degrees or colder, which means that I just use it to go to the Micky D's coffee breakfast club.....
I have a similar problem on my Custom. It takes about 10 seconds to remove (not exaggerating) but I have to loosen the lower screws to re-install it every time. So it's about 5 minutes to put it back on.
I really don't like the trigger lock. My MS windshield used their standard screw mount. It took about 30 seconds to remove and 30 seconds to mount. I needed a tool to do it, but when you think about it, when do you need to remove a windshield and not have access to tools? Even if you do, it's 2 1/2" allen wrench.
That said, you can buy matching brackets for MS shields so you can swap out the batwing for a windshield. Three or more riding options.
Thank you for the compliments. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the thread to find pictures of my bike!
The trigger locks are great; literally takes me just a few seconds to take the Batwing off. I thought about doing something similar with the Tsukayu Patrol Bags by using Ghost Brackets, but I decided the locks were enough and just couldn't see that many situations where I would want to take the bags off; at least not enough to warrant the cost of those brackets.
Very excited, leaving for a trip to the Black Hills tomorrow morning!
1) I've been looking at my fairing for a week or so now thinking about elongating the holes on the trigger lock plates a little bit so I can move it up some more. Not much, just 1/2" or so. I haven't decided to go for it yet but if I do I will deliver some pictures. I'm just paranoid about the lip of the fairing hanging over the top of the headlight. I don't have a light bar so I'm always worried that masking will make me harder to see.
Anybody else ever do this? What did you think?
2) To add to the height discussion, I have a 34" sitting height and here's how a 9" shield measures up on me. I keep it at about the tip of my nose or upper lip but have adjusted it some in both directions.
Graybush, i use a headlight visor as per the picture .... As i have the passing lights, its a pain to take on and off as you have to loosen up the lights, flop them forward and then take the fairing off. I have only done it once for cleaning after my trip this year.
My brackets are unaltered and used as per the instructions ... no modifications
There is no obstruction of the headlight at all.
For the others,here is a link to my batwing and bags install ...just scroll thru to the batwing. ...
I appreciate all the comments. Anybody got any idea as to how well a lightbar fits with the fairing and lowers? I feel like I'll probably pick one up around November.
I've got the Batwing on my Custom. I went with the 12" windshield. I'm 5'11 and as I sit, I am just looking over the top of it. I paid round about $500 for my setup. I forget the exact price.
As far as a light bar goes...
I originally had the Kawasaki OEM lightbar, and while it fit, the bar itself rubbed on the bottom edges of the fairing. I now have the Kuryakyn constellation light bar, and the fit is pure perfection.
I can get my Batwing completely off of the bike in about 20 seconds, and it goes back on in less then a minute.
Like the Batwings and now have them on both Vulcan's. Angliam was also my inspiration. get compliments on both bikes all the time. Actually went from a MS cafe Racer to a Batwing on the one bike. 12 inch windshields on both. very easy to install.
I have a MS batwing with lowers and two windshields, one 9 inch flared and one 12 inch straight. Everything is for sale! $250.00 plus shipping, but can negotiate the shipping.
Just want right for me. I liked the look but was catching to much air on top of the helmet and with a fused neck that was not comfortable...
I know this is a year old thread, but I just got a batwing that is made for the custom. No headlight visor required. Bought the lower wind deflectors, but didn't have them on in this picture yet
I have lowers already and it helped a little. I made my own. I totally get what you mean that I get worse buffeting with my full face then with a beanie. With my full face it is like I am in a wind tunnel. I never had this issue with my old small Virago 250. I am going to cut down a Allen key so I can use it to tilt the shield a bit more forward before I buy a bigger shield.
What size windshield do you have? I'm currently using 9 in spoiler, have 12 in shield coming.
Really hoping for the lowers to help significantly. I would love to send the 12 in back so I get my 85 bucks back... Also don't want to give up my full face, I'm a paramedic and I'm pretty paranoid about facial fractures, etc that a half doesn't protect from.
Also curious as to how you have your shield oriented, I think mine is pushed forward up top, all the way back on bottom. So I guess as vertical as it can get?
I think most of my problem is the wind coming from underneath, not sure the new shield or adjusting the angle of the fairing will help
Got the 12 inch shield today... Almost no difference in buffeting. Got the forks deflectors, ordered the wrong mounts. If I put even one hand down in front of my knee, it really helps, so I'm banking on them!
I have Memphis shades batwing sitting off the bike along with a 9 inch spoiler windscreen and a 12 inch straight and I cannot for the life of me get rid of the buffeting. I would rather get beat up riding bare than to deal with the buffeting! I also have the lowers on the batwing which seemed to help just a little bit.
I am needing to get rid of it so if anyone is interested pm me and I will shoot some pictures off to you.
I really wish it would have worked out but oh well. Maybe a fats windscreen might work better but as the wife says I need to get rid of the batwing first.
Kinda surprised you guys R having problems with the buffeting,Also have a memphis w shield,Think it's a 9 in,Do have lowers and the buffeting is not bad at all,Wear a 1/2 and full,Unless it's really windy I'm pretty comfortable,Think the lowers really Help:smile2:
I have lowers on my batwing as well as forks and still get the buffeting. Do you guys have a classic or custom? Mine is a classic and from an earlier post they say the classic didn't angle as upright as the custom.
Got the correct fork mount kit for the custom today. Got them mounted, and took a drive. Definitely helped!
I was using the 9 in spoiler windshield, still had some buffeting, but much more comfortable. Putting my left arm across my body no longer helps, nor putting my hand down in front of my knee.
I imagine with the 12 in shield, it would be better. Just too hot with so little airflow in town, I'll trade off a little buffeting for some airflow. It's in the upper 80s here, and most of my riding is under 20 miles unless I take a planned trip.
Only thing I worry about is the mounting position on the forks. I don't foresee them ever getting clear down to my seals, but still a little concerning. However, it's about the only place it can go. Good purchase!
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