2019 GUZZI MODELS AT EICMA

[twowheeladdict]

When I see flat paint I think of that '72 chevy nova in the high school parking lot that stays in a state of perpetual greyness.

We must have gone to the same high school!  LOL!

I will say though that these Moto Guzzi bikes do have clear coat on them.  It is just a matte clear coat. 

At first I was leaning towards the special in black because of the paint and the tach, but polishing chrome and the tube tires turned me off.  When I saw the Carbon Dark I knew the red pulled the eye away from the Matte finish.  I added a little more red to the bike and am happy with the way it turned out.

[Kev m]

The first matte painted bike I recall was the Ducati Monster Dark 18 years ago. It was cheaper than the standard (glossy) monster, and the add campaign suggested it was flat black so you could customize (paint) it.  Factory primer. When I see flat paint I think of that '72 chevy nova in the high school parking lot that stays in a state of perpetual greyness.

Wow I had kinda forgotten about those. Looks like they debuted in 1998.

Harley followed the trend first in I think 2006 with the Street Bob.

Everyone else seems to have jumped in the band wagon in the last decade or so.

EDIT- I remember we all thought my Stone was gonna be matte white when the pics first came out. I was pleasantly surprised it was gloss. I'm even happier that the fenders matched when I saw later Stones that didn't.

[jas67]

BMW experimented with matte paint on cars back in the mid-2000's, calling it "Frost."

It was available on the M3 and, maybe another high end model or too.    It was an extra cost option.    I don't think it ever really caught on, as I've never seen one on the road.   In fact, I never saw one in the showroom either.   I think dealers were smart enough not to order one unless a customer special ordered one (with a deposit).

Sadly, this trend doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

Speaking of Monsters, (sorry if I mentioned this before in this thread, because, between the W800 thread, this one, and similar threads on ADVRider, I can't remember where I said it), my 2013 Monster 796 is matte white.   The part of the fuel tank you see is actually just covers.    I got it in white, because I thought the white road, and black (tires, wheels, and subframe) looked great, despite the white being matte.    Well, now that I've had it for 4 years, I NEVER want another matte bike.    The parts of this bike that are white, aren't painted, but, molded in color, and the mold surface is what gives it the finish.   The red body work that came in a box is gloss (the dealer changed the bike to white).  Anyway, bugs and road grime, esp. tar, stick to the matte bodywork something awful.   It is really a huge PITA to keep clean.   

That said, maybe matte paint  would be easier in this regard than this unpainted plastic bodywork.

I've thought about painting it wish gloss clear coat, but am hesitant to, as I'd be afraid it wouldn't adhere, and would bubble or, or at the very least chip off easily.   I should've bought the gloss-painted Corse (red/black/white) bodywork for it while it was still available from Ducati.    All I can find now is Chinese body kits on eBay.   I don't want that, as they're usually ill-fitting, and of dubious quality.

[Kev m]

Jay, I wonder if something like Plexus would work on that bodywork to keep it clean. It makes bugs and tar come of playing windshields really well.

[Joliet Jim]

Pipes and fenders are easily changed out.

True just takes money which is in short supply for the next couple of years.

[jas67]

Jay, I wonder if something like Plexus would work on that bodywork to keep it clean. It makes bugs and tar come of playing windshields really well.

Actually, I have used plexus on it, many times.    In fact, I try to clean it every time I ride, and use plexus on it after to help with the next cleaning.    It helps a little, but, not enough.

I hate this matte bodywork like you hate chrome.    I like to ride, not clean.    My gloss painted bikes don't require this much work to keep the bugs off.

[Kev m]

Actually, I have used plexus on it, many times.    In fact, I try to clean it every time I ride, and use plexus on it after to help with the next cleaning.    It helps a little, but, not enough.

I hate this matte bodywork like you hate chrome.    I like to ride, not clean.    My gloss painted bikes don't require this much work to keep the bugs off.

I wonder then if it would be worth it to just use Pledge, realizing that might change the look a bit, but might provide more of a barrier.

[Sheepdog]

I use Original Bike Spirits spray detail on my BMW with a matte paint job. It takes bugs and grime off easily and a wax-like finish seals up the paint. It also works great on cloudy windshields.

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Spirits-Cleaner-Polish-Aerosol/dp/B007KPX7HQ

[twowheeladdict]

Actually, I have used plexus on it, many times.    In fact, I try to clean it every time I ride, and use plexus on it after to help with the next cleaning.    It helps a little, but, not enough.

I hate this matte bodywork like you hate chrome.    I like to ride, not clean.    My gloss painted bikes don't require this much work to keep the bugs off.

I just use a microfiber cloth dampened with a little distilled water, and follow it with a dry microfiber cloth.

[LowRyter]

I noticed that mat paint was pretty popular in the cities of Europe where the bikes are parked outside in the weather all year.