Vivid Black
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Central Ohio
After owning a black Mustang, black F-150, and my last bike being black, there was zero chance my current bike was going to be black when I was shopping for them. They look the best when clean, but just plain shitty when not tip top.
mikebaby
mikebaby
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 12
From: Missouri
Man, I spend way to much time adding miles to it to worry about it looking waxed. And when I do clean it I find more evidence of road wear. So I wipe it down occasionally and just ride it, if I stressed over water spots, bugs or dust I'd go insane in a week.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 3
From: Plano, TX
I like my clean Vivid Black, however I do not care if I'm riding it and getting it dirty. If you keep your paint properly protected it is an easy clean-up. I find chrome to be more of a pain than Vivid Black paint.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
As has been stated....It's been proven that Vivid Black Harley's are faster. 
When I bought mine, I told myself that I wasn't going to baby it to a contest winning shine. I keep her fairly clean, but at 2500 miles, she's only had two baths; one from my after purchase, and once from the dealer at the 1k service. I quick 1-2 minute wipe down before weekend rides is all she gets. I'll proabably only wash her every few thousand miles unless I ride in the rain.
When I bought mine, I told myself that I wasn't going to baby it to a contest winning shine. I keep her fairly clean, but at 2500 miles, she's only had two baths; one from my after purchase, and once from the dealer at the 1k service. I quick 1-2 minute wipe down before weekend rides is all she gets. I'll proabably only wash her every few thousand miles unless I ride in the rain.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
Love black! Have a black truck and car as well. I keep it clean and Pledge it after just about every ride. At night when the wife is watching TV or on dirty days I go up to the garage and give it a rub-down. I don't look at spraying and cleaning it as a chore. More like foreplay.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
+1 Nothin looks better than Black & Chrome its worth the trouble!!!!!! Black Sierra, Black Tahoe.I have had black vehicles for 30 years, I like'em. They are faster.
Black and chrome were just made for one another.
As said before, a microfiber towel and spray detailer are you friend. Keep a good coat of your favorite wax on it.
Do not let the bike get very dirty before you clean it. Less dirt means less chance of scratches. My bike is cleaned after every ride if possible.
I never use anything except microfiber on black, and do not rub with excessive pressure. Rub lightly or you risk scratching the finish.
My Road King is almost a year old and has zero scratches, looks like glass.
I like my black bike and the next one will be black also.
Black and chrome were just made for one another.
As said before, a microfiber towel and spray detailer are you friend. Keep a good coat of your favorite wax on it.
Do not let the bike get very dirty before you clean it. Less dirt means less chance of scratches. My bike is cleaned after every ride if possible.
I never use anything except microfiber on black, and do not rub with excessive pressure. Rub lightly or you risk scratching the finish.
My Road King is almost a year old and has zero scratches, looks like glass.
I like my black bike and the next one will be black also.
Last edited by Rich67; Jun 3, 2011 at 07:56 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Anyone else find a Vivid Black bike to be a PITA?
Love it when its clean setting in the garage, it's beautiful, but, due to the fact the local weather people couldn't predict a fart if you fed them beans, road spray and rain drops sure don't do much for it.
My Dyna was Suede Blue/Black and that wasn't nearly as difficult to keep clean.
Love it when its clean setting in the garage, it's beautiful, but, due to the fact the local weather people couldn't predict a fart if you fed them beans, road spray and rain drops sure don't do much for it.
My Dyna was Suede Blue/Black and that wasn't nearly as difficult to keep clean.
