Review: Memphis Shades Windshield
My Father's Day present arrived the other day. A Memphis Shades windshield for the bike. I have never had a windshield on any of my bikes and it took almost two years to convince me to try one on the VTX. Everyone has told me that once I try it, I will never go back. We'll see.
Being a tall person (6' 3") and long-waisted (my inseam is only 32") I decided on the 21 inch windshield (the tallest available) with the 7" headlight cutout. My first impression upon removing the shield and mounting kit from the packaging was very positive. The components were of solid materials and felt comfortably beefy.
Installation took about 30 minutes. Everything needed is included in the kit including two hex wrenches for installing the clamps and shield. Figuring the I would need maximum height, I set the clamps as high up as I could. Initially I installed the shield with maximum rake angle (laid back parallel to the forks).
After tightening everything up I took a test ride. The shield definitely cuts the wind. I noticed immediately that there was less wind blast on my upper body and that I could comfortably ride with my helmet visor open. I also noticed a reduction in the wind noise and was comfortable even without my earplugs.
I did find that there was some buffeting around 40 mph. It felt like someone was shaking the back of my helmet. I stopped and adjusted the angle of the windshield to be more vertical and resumed riding. The buffeting started at a higher speed but was still there. I found by shifting my position around I could reduce or eliminate the buffeting. Unfortunately none of the positions that I tried were suitable for riding any significant distance.
After doing some research, I learned that a set of "lowers" would reduce or eliminate the buffeting problem. I ordered up and set and waited for them to arrive.
After installing the lowers, a fifteen-minute process, I mounted up for another test drive. Almost miraculously the buffeting was completely gone. Even at freeway speeds I sat in a calm bubble of air behind the windshield. It's amazing the difference two little sheet of Plexiglass can make!
So, I'm not ready to say I'll never go back to riding without a windshield; but I do know that I'm a lot more comfortable on long highway rides.
John Davis is a rider and writer. His current ride is Victoria, a candy red Honda VTX1800 Retro. John writes for several web sites and blogs in addition to his own site, NorthwestCycleNews.
