I'm considering buying a late model nightrod 2012-2014 but I'm torn between the denim & vivid blk. Does the denim hold up better than the vivid or vice versa? It seems to me the denim would be more difficult to keep up with should you get a scratch, a blemish or something. But with the vivid if you put a nice wax on it that would help keep it looking nice and be easier to maintain correct? I appreciate any feedback.

 

Gary ... You've already answered your own questions :>). Welcome to the Forum.

 

Don't have denim, but vivid is soft as veal. If you look at it funny you will get swirls. I use good microfiber and proper washing procedures and still got them. However, a good glaze and wax and you are looking at glass...

Just had my tank painted with a few additional coats of clear, so hopefully that holds up better. Still waiting for full cure (another few weeks) before I touch it though.

 

And Larry, seventy two THOUSAND posts? Mother of God, you are a die-hard!

 

Another Vivid Blk owner here bought my 2013 Custom new. It gets swirls and surface scratches pretty easily even with microfiber but cleans up nicely with a good waxing. It looks so much better with chrome imo.

 

I have had both vivid and denim black. Denim gets my vote. The vivid black is awesome but scratches so easy. I detail my own cars and one is a black truck.

In 2015 I had a down payment on the CVO black and gold, I saw 1 a demo days and it was so scratched, I cancelled my order.

Denim black cleaner, hot water, and windex was all I ever used on my denim black street glide. THe denim black holds up very well.

 

I've had both Denim and currently have Vivid on my Blackline. Personally, I think the color depends on the bike..some bikes I find just don't look right in Denim, some look awesome (Love the Street Bob in Denim but not the Blackline...weird I know)
When I had my Denim 883 I used to wash the bike, dry it off and then kind of "wax" it with Armourall tire foam..sounds odd but it worked awesome. Didn't leave a true shine but took away that dull flat black look and really helped hide any fine scratches. Always had lots of compliments on the paint and other "Denim" guys would ask what I used on the paint..give it try..if you dont like it, just washt he bike again!
Denim

Vivid

 

I definitely love my denim black RGS but as you said, if you get a scratch in the paint you can't buff it out. Keeping it looking good is easier though. No waxing or polishing.

 

I've got a denim black 2015 RGS. My riding buddy has a vivid black 2015 RGS.

When it comes to care and cleaning the denim is a snap compared to the vivid. The denim also looks cleaner longer between full washes.

I do have some pain points with Denim though. On the side covers, just my wife's jeans rubbing against the covers (within the first 1,000 miles) has created shiny spots in the denim paint. Anywhere there is friction on the denim paint, you'll create a shiny spot.

Use a microfiber cloth with even the smallest debris in it, you get a nice scratch on the denim that can't be buffed out.

Sometimes you damage the finish not even knowing when you did it. And it can't be buffed out.

I'd say based on my experience and observations; if you're not OCD or **** about your bike being in pristine condition after 1,000 miles grab the denim. For day to day riding, quick detailing and cleaning it is hands down the winner. If you lose a night's sleep or your blood pressure shoots through the roof when you find the first scuff, scratch or shiny spot in your paint, choose the vivid black. At least then there is some hope of detailing out that small imperfection that would otherwise drive you nutty.

 

I've never owned either, but I have painted both.

The fact that the same blemish can be fixed relatively easy on the Vivid gets my vote