"Vivid Black" Would you "Do it Again"
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Wpg, Mb, Canada
Swirls, scratches and dust will end up on every bike no matter what the color. It's just a matter of whether you want to ride or polish/clean. Both my harleys were/are black.
If I ever buy another one, it will be black too. No better color. Ferraris should be red, Porsche's & Mercedes = silver, Harleys and Vetes = Black.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 72
From: WA State
I've got the hots for a new Road Glide Ultra and I'm trying to decide between the Vivid Black or Merlot Sunglo. I know black is the most popular color and the fastest but I have a couple of concerns I hope some of you may help with. I'm concerned about how much effort it takes to keep it looking good and the swirl marks and fine scratches they tend to pick up over time. My current 105 copper top with 47,000 on her shows both in the Vivid Black on the bag tops while the copper still looks new. Therefore the question. Who has a Merlot Sunglo and how do you like it? I'm not trying to insult black.
I bought a 2010 Street Glide with the custom Merlot Sunglo and Cherry Red Sunglo paint scheme. It looks really sharp in the sunlight because there are gold metal flakes in the paint. I get a lot of compliments on it, but it is a real pain in the butt to keep clean. It shows dust really bad and I buff it to remove any swirls each time it is washed. I think any color except white and silver are going to show swirls and scratches more. I bought a 3" buffer, polish & wax from Griot's Garage, and it makes the job of keeping it looking good a lot easier.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
2008 Candy Red Ultra (1 year color) and it does not show swirls but I am thinking of getting a 2011 and guess what....BLACK. Nearly everyone that sees the Candy Red comments on how sharp the color looks. But to me, black is just 'right' on a Harley. Especially if its got a classic style to it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
Both of my Harleys have been black because I didn't like the other colors that were available - not that they really sucked but I didn't know if I'd still like them a year down the road. Black is timeless - the other colors aren't. Black is never pretty but some of the other colors are. My bike is no more a show bike than my pickup truck is a show truck. I did consider buying a dark blue police bike last year.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
I've got the hots for a new Road Glide Ultra and I'm trying to decide between the Vivid Black or Merlot Sunglo. I know black is the most popular color and the fastest but I have a couple of concerns I hope some of you may help with. I'm concerned about how much effort it takes to keep it looking good and the swirl marks and fine scratches they tend to pick up over time. My current 105 copper top with 47,000 on her shows both in the Vivid Black on the bag tops while the copper still looks new. Therefore the question. Who has a Merlot Sunglo and how do you like it? I'm not trying to insult black.
The swirls suck. A lot. And waxing doesn't do much. I guess I really need to be **** and use a rubbing compound and buffer to make the paint look wet, but I spend too much time riding to bother...
I use Mother's NXT and quick detailer to keep it looking pretty good. I haven't washed the bike with water in over 1000 miles, and the Mother's quick detailer keeps the paint looking pretty new.
If I had to do it again, I would have gone for Red Hot Sunglo or Silver. In your case, I'd do the orange...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i have an 08 streetglide, vivid black of course, and to do it again, i honestly don't think i'd go with vivid black. the black polishes up and shines like crazy and with the chrome goodies it really pops. but it's such a pain to keep looking sharp. the black shows any little swirl, fingerprint, etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Yeah, I'd do it again. The Vivid Black is the baddest! Meguires NXT Synthetic wax and some pride in your ride is all it takes to keep it looking showroom.
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Manama, Bahrain
Fltcu 92
I have got a Ultra Classic Tour Glide. It was in a blue colour but I love Vivid Black. Got it painted Black and the chrome stands out better now. Had few more bikes before and they all were Vivid Black.
