Do Black Bikes Matter?
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, South Carolina
Any color but...
I recently purchased a 2018 Road Glide (standard) in Twisted Cherry. I could have gotten any color I wanted as my dealer had to locate a bike for me. We had already discussed that the color I didn't want was black. Everybody has black. I'm much more a function over style person which means I am not particularly interested in skulls, flames, etc., but a color other than black makes the bike different than what seems like half of the bikes out there. That said, get what you like and ride the wheels off it!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
After owning one or more black touring bikes and then purchasing a newer or new bike that was not black (because you were sick of black), did you ever regret not getting yet another black bike after owning the "other" color for a few months, weeks or maybe just a few days?
I always liked the appearance of polished Vivid Black as it contrasts next to chrome widgets. However, thinking about going with a different color when it's time to upgrade in the future as I've never owned a Harley touring bike that was not black. My next bike will be a RGU and I do like them in Industrial Gray (gone in 2019 for RGU) and also Twisted Cherry, but again, I keep flipping back to the idea of just getting another black bike; although it's a PITA color to keep looking good.
Not raining on anyone's color choice here, just wondering if any former black bike owners regretted not sticking to black again when they swapped out to a different color?
I always liked the appearance of polished Vivid Black as it contrasts next to chrome widgets. However, thinking about going with a different color when it's time to upgrade in the future as I've never owned a Harley touring bike that was not black. My next bike will be a RGU and I do like them in Industrial Gray (gone in 2019 for RGU) and also Twisted Cherry, but again, I keep flipping back to the idea of just getting another black bike; although it's a PITA color to keep looking good.
Not raining on anyone's color choice here, just wondering if any former black bike owners regretted not sticking to black again when they swapped out to a different color?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Colorado
I just picked up my first black bike, '15 FLHR, and I'm already sick of maintenance. But when you buy used and get a screaming deal you can't be too picky. My '07 FXDWG is a Blue Island Pearl (?) which I absolutely love, that bike has more chrome and I think looks just as good if not better when paired. I plan, down the road, to have the FLHR painted that or a similar color.
Last edited by jb1023; Aug 11, 2018 at 07:25 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 3,271
From: West Central Florida
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,463
Likes: 57,022
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Actually Black is the absorption ( presence ) of A L L color ... White is the absence of color ... Just sayin' :>)
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 387
Likes: 173
From: Big Lake in the Middle
Lots of bikes in the family, including some black but mostly no.
I just don't care for the upkeep, it doesn't look particularly nice but not bad either. It's like having a Street Glide - you feel special but you're like everyone else on the road.
When I got my Fatbob - was the Candy Orange. I got a metric **** ton of compliments on the color. I could go to a ride with 200-1200 other bikes and never see more than 3 with the same color if another bothered to be there at all.
When I bought the Road King, I wanted anything but black. The Silver and Sumatra brown - looks VERY nice in the sun and the contrasting pin strips with the chrome makes the bike look very rich without being rich.
I don't think I'd ever own a black HD other than the frame.
I just don't care for the upkeep, it doesn't look particularly nice but not bad either. It's like having a Street Glide - you feel special but you're like everyone else on the road.
When I got my Fatbob - was the Candy Orange. I got a metric **** ton of compliments on the color. I could go to a ride with 200-1200 other bikes and never see more than 3 with the same color if another bothered to be there at all.
When I bought the Road King, I wanted anything but black. The Silver and Sumatra brown - looks VERY nice in the sun and the contrasting pin strips with the chrome makes the bike look very rich without being rich.
I don't think I'd ever own a black HD other than the frame.