(Raven) Black fully-faired 2008 FJR

My SO is telling me that buying the Black model, is likely to drive me nuts by showing every spec of dirt, finger prints, micro-scratches, etc......

She is in favor of a cherry 2007, even with the 2008 improvements considered.....

I have never owned a Black machine, esp. with a large fairing.

Does anyone have experience with the black-painted fairing bikes ? Is it as bad as she says ???

I know a few guys with black cars, and they show waxing swirls, specs and scratches pretty clearly....

MrMung said:

My SO is telling me that buying the Black model, is likely to drive me nuts by showing every spec of dirt, finger prints, micro-scratches, etc......
She is in favor of a cherry 2007, even with the 2008 improvements considered.....

I have never owned a Black machine, esp. with a large fairing.

Does anyone have experience with the black-painted fairing bikes ? Is it as bad as she says ???

I know a few guys with black cars, and they show waxing swirls, specs and scratches pretty clearly....

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Black is a tougher color, but not impossible. McGuires (or however you spell it) makes a polish or wax just for black bikes guaranteed not to leave swirl makrs. It actually works. I used to use it on my black Roadstar. Truthfully, I think the 07 Black Cherry is no easier or harder to clean than a black bike.

I would go for the 08, JMO

Buy it and ride it. :clapping:

If it's important, you'll figure a way to keep it presentable

MrMung said:

My SO is telling me that buying the Black model, is likely to drive me nuts by showing every spec of dirt, finger prints, micro-scratches, etc......
She is in favor of a cherry 2007, even with the 2008 improvements considered.....

I have never owned a Black machine, esp. with a large fairing.

Does anyone have experience with the black-painted fairing bikes ? Is it as bad as she says ???

I know a few guys with black cars, and they show waxing swirls, specs and scratches pretty clearly....

Click to expand...

I've had black cars and it would drive me nuts to see how quickly they show dirt, but to be honest with my bikes, I never stress that much about it. Typically, I'll give the bike a quick once over, but I'm more concerned about the mechanicals being in order and cut corners on cleaning to get on the bike quicker. I'm not expecting the black '08 to be much worse than the blue '06 I had when it comes to showing dirt and gunk.

Don't let the black paint concern you that much. The bike is meant to be ridden, and the road isn't going to allow it to stay pristine at all times.

If you obtain one with the expectation that you can keep in showroom condition, you might be disappointed. OTOH, once you get on the beast and ride, cosmetic appearance frequently becomes a lower priority than it might hold for you currently.

I'm on my second black Blackbird, and they are really very little worse than the dark Galaxy Blue of my '05 FJR to keep loooking good. More of a problem with the larger expanses of a car, IMO. Besides, Warchild is right about worrying about them. After you drop it the first time, it won't matter as much (and I drop all of my bikes at least once as preventative mojo against get-offs).

If attracting dust is a large issue with you, any detailer or detail shop will have an anti-static spray that can lessen the attraction of dust particles.

Sorry, but I don't think its going to be measurable worse than what the 2 shades of metalic dark blue suffer with now (compared to my cerulean '04).

But it, ride it, love it!

i've had a black car and a black bike. after selling the black car i swore i'd never own another black vehicle. after about 15 years or so, i forgot that oath and bought the black bike. i was reminded why i like the '03 silver so much when i saw the 05 blue at the international cycle show. it was covered in hand prints, dust and scuffs. black will be worse than that.

i'm with WC about the ride it and don't worry about making it look like a show bike. but, given that i'd rather ride than polish, i also prefer to pick a color that doesn't make things worse by showing every little dust spec and bug turd. black is the antimatter to those who think that cleaning doesn't matter.

[cartman]

Screw you guys! Black totally sucks!

[/cartman]

My black '98 ST1100 and '01 GL1800 were appearance maintenance pigs. Swirl marks in the plastic/paint. Dust. Dirt. Finger prints. Hated the work to keep 'em up. At least these had a bunch of black plastic parts that sucked in Armor-All to help, but the FJR uses paint and the Armor-All helps not a whit.

Buy either one, then get it painted silver.

:lol:

MrMung said:

My SO is telling me

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Call her ass Biff and tell her to start that second coat of wax and when she's done to bring you a beer because watching her clean your bike has made you thirsty.

Problem solved.

Black will be a bit of a pain but will look nice if your willing to maintain. Unlike a black car theres not alot of surface area. My 06 cobalt blue is very dark and shows scratches and smudges but is pretty when clean (or a bit dirty). I suggest a nice cover and a case of honda cleaner polish. After each ride I lwipe mine down with new soft cloth and cover it in the garage. It's easy. I'm not crazy about the 08 black color but haven't seen it in person. I dont care for the 07 burgundy as much but it seems like it would be a bit easier to keep clean. Silver is easiest but not as sharp looking in my opinion. Color and cleanliness won't matter when your flying down the highway. It will be great to see a mixed group of FJR's with all colors represented including your new shiney black 2008. :yahoo:

I have a black C6 'vette, and a black cherry Feejer. Zaino is my close personal friend, but it is a fair amount of detail to keep 'em looking good....

Zaino Link

There is only one colour, and that is (ta da):



At the track 2 days ago I was asked how long I had my bike. When I said over 5 years, hardly anyone would believe me :yahoo: and I am not known for washing it often. Now that black is back in the colour option, I'll probably upgrade to an '08.

And some of you might like this extract from a post on another board:

BTW, there was a group of 5 of us that met there, and one of the guys was on this:



We had some fun, as he didn't want to exit the pits ahead of me. I figured it was because he didn't want to run the risk of being passed by a FJR. Well, one time he did come past me (my excuse - it was the warm up lap and I wasn't yet warm). He got away by about 100 to 200 metres in the next lap, then it took me about 6 to 7 laps to close up. The only way I could get by was under braking, and I guess I had more confidence in the FJR brakes than he had in his :twisted: :twisted: He didn't get by again all day, and not for want of trying :mrgreen: That back wheel can skip a little when pushing REAL HARD.

Now I've got no doubt that in the right hands the roles would absolutely be reversed, and I would see the Blackbird getting ever smaller as it outcornered me, but it was fun on the day.

Indianatom: "If the weather is nice enough to wash it, it's nice enough to ride it. ...where's my keys."

Somebody elase beat me to it. I was gonna suggest Zaino Bros polishes. Works reall well, but its a bit much to do the first time and its insanely expensive. On a new bike, I don't think the first application would be that difficult.

If your not into that much time and money, a decent alternative might be to carry some micro fiber cleaning cloths, a can of Protectall and a can of Plexxus. Use the Protectall on everything but the windscreen and saddle and the Plexxus on the windscreen and your faceshield.

Ray

You're supposed to clean these things? :blink:

My .02 Cents,

I Have a 06' Black Zx10r and it is a PAIN IN THE ASS to keep clean!! BUT when it is clean it looks AWESOME!! My 07 FJR black cherry is WAY easier to keep looking good.

WW

MrMung said:

My SO is telling me that buying the Black model, is likely to drive me nuts by showing every spec of dirt, finger prints, micro-scratches, etc......
She is in favor of a cherry 2007, even with the 2008 improvements considered.....

I have never owned a Black machine, esp. with a large fairing.

Does anyone have experience with the black-painted fairing bikes ? Is it as bad as she says ???

I know a few guys with black cars, and they show waxing swirls, specs and scratches pretty clearly....

Click to expand...

I currently own a 2005 HD Electra Glide Ultra (full bagger) in Vivid Black, and my buddy owns a 2006 Street Glide in Black Cherry. Both bikes show every bit of dust, dirt, scratch (!) and imperfection.

Dan keeps his Black Cherry WAY cleaner than my Ultra, but I have a tendency to just ride it and hose the bugs off from time to time. Come about now, it will get put up on the lift and a full detailing, and then it sits until the next nice day (usually there are a few in January), then cleaned up again until March or so.

Both colors SUCK to keep clean. The black and cherry both show every mark.

Great products for black bike or other vehicle Eagle 1 Wipe & Shine, Eagle 1 Nano Wax, and Meguiar's Tech Wax, using Micro fiber towels from Wally World (8@$4.95) Just be careful with the Tech Wax it smells like lilac's first time i waxed my truck and then walked into the house my wife wanted to know where I'd been :huh: The Wipe & Shine and Micro Fiber combo is also great on your bikes windshield.