Raven - Is it solid black or metalic flake?

[SpeedStar]

Like many of you, I have a Raven on order. From all pictures I have seen, it is a solid flat black (shiny finish but no metalic flake).
Colorider mentioned in another post that he has a Raven FJR and that it has lots of shiny Metalic. I don't know if he means metalic flake or is referring to the gloss paint finish?

Can anyone comment if the paint has a metalic flake or is it solid black?

I hope it is solid black!

 

[Swagger]

It's metallic

 

[SpeedStar]

Metalic flake? I don't know how I feel about that?

 

[Swagger]

... Metalic flake? I don't know how I feel about that? .....

It's called Midnight Black in the UK. That's the same as my FJR .... beautiful deep metallic paint. The plastics though are just a satin black ... solid colour.

 

[SpeedStar]

Sounds like the color is good then? I was just thinking it was a solid black.
No problem though as it is what I ordered and that isn't changing.
At this point I would take it in any color, I just want it!

 

[Swagger]

..... At this point I would take it in any color, I just want it! ....

Hang in there m8. Just think ... as soon as you get it ..... you've gotta pay for it

 

[SpeedStar]

I know, that will be painful! :

I have a guy that wants to buy my KTM950SM this weekend. My mind says do it to fund the XT12, my heart says no though. We will see what happens.

 

[trinc4me]

I know, that will be painful! :

I have a guy that wants to buy my KTM950SM this weekend. My mind says do it to fund the XT12, my heart says no though. We will see what happens.

Devin,

Keep us posted on whatever you decide. I bet that KTM is a blast to ride......just sayin.....

 

[SpeedStar]

I will keep you posted. The KTM950SM is a beast and should not be legal for the street! It is a good way to risk loosing your license. It brings out the dirty hooligan side in me.
It is all solid black too. Now I will have two black bikes to go with my blue Strom.

 

[Jakeboy]

Speedstar, My DL 1000 is black and looks solid black until you get up really close to it in the sunlight. When you do that, you see that it's really metallic black. From 3 ft. away it looks solid, but from 3 inches, it's metallic. A straight black will easily reflect colors when waxed to a high gloss. My metallic black will do so too, but not to the extent of a solid black.

I had a bike painted solid black a number of years ago and the paint guy told me that solid black more readily showed imperfections and slight scratches in the clear coat, as opposed to black with some metallic in it. He told me the truth, as my personal experience proved it. I had to baby that solid black. A real pain. If I were going with the Raven (and I agonized over it when I picked the blue), I'd want the metallic black. The gas tank sees a bit of wear on a bike, no matter how careful you are.

Just my two cents worth. I think the Raven color is going to be butt kicking cool.

 

[SpeedStar]

Good points Jakeboy. I appreciate the input and this does make sense. I am sure I will be pleased with the Raven paint. After all, Mama Yama would not steer us wrong.

 

[colorider]

Sounds like the color is good then? I was just thinking it was a solid black.
No problem though as it is what I ordered and that isn't changing.
At this point I would take it in any color, I just want it!

It is a good color and the metallic in no way takes away from the overall appearance, IMHO.

 

[Buckeye56]

Depending on how the paint is mixed, you may not even see the flakes until the light strikes the bike just right. I have a buddy who has a Burgman scooter that is that way. It is actually a very pretty color.

 

[Koinz]

I ordered the black just because I never had a black bike and I love how they look. I'm thinking I might pinstripe with some black reflective tape. You can't see it during the day but it'll look sweet at night. Not to mention the visibility aspect of it.

 

[Jakeboy]

I ordered the black just because I never had a black bike and I love how they look. I'm thinking I might pinstripe with some black reflective tape. You can't see it during the day but it'll look sweet at night. Not to mention the visibility aspect of it.

+1. Reflective tape comes in some nice colors. You can match or contrast the background with it and it really improves the visibility of the bike at night. I put it on my side cases and crash bars and it improves the visibility of the bike from the side immensely. An inexpensive add-on that improves safety. Good deal.

 

[HoebSTer]

Jakeboy, I have worked some with reflective tape on various bikes. The orange and yellow show up at night as those colors. The black reflective shows as white or dark gray for color. Most refelctive tapes you can only see from the direct line of light source!! (Say you hold a flashlight from your nose and look right at the reflection is the brightest) There are other reflective materials suck as the stuff on Aerostich gear where you see reflective from a light source being from any direction. If you ride alot during the daytime, or if there is sun exposure, he reflective decal only has a 3-5 yr life.

I like using the stuff, as you mentioned, it is neat when it lights up.

 

[Chadx]

Keep in mind that the metal flake we are talking about uses really fine flake. It's not, thank goodness, the huge flake of the 70s that pops to mind anytime anyone says "metal flake paint". Ha. ;D Good modern metal flake just ads a nice shine and depth to the paint. Not visible glitter effect of the big flaked paint of yore.

 

[LostViking]

Are there any decent Raven pictures out there? I'm back and forth on the color and feeling the need to pull the trigger soon.

I like the subdued look with the tail rack and side panels blacked out.

 

[bvail]

Yamaha website photo gallery has about 4 pics in Raven.

 

[20valves]

Keep in mind that the metal flake we are talking about uses really fine flake. It's not, thank goodness, the huge flake of the 70s that pops to mind anytime anyone says "metal flake paint".

Think "Bass Boat" ;D

My current car is straight black and the previous one was called "sapphire" and had very fine metal flake. I didn't think there'd be much difference but there is and I prefer the subtle metal flake for sure.

All told, I'd prefer the bike in cadmium yellow with the black panels, etc. I do like how the black bikes have a black luggage rack and such, looks great imho.