[URL=http://s573.photobucket.com/user/blufire_photos/media/512b0ac7-e2ae-48cd-a04d-8399742b58d2_zpsrp2izo07.jpg.html]

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/9/2015 @ 6:59 PM *

Yeah baby...

Thats beautiful! Just freakin badass, my fried!

Looks like a top secret weapon.

I love the color of those bikes. Reminds me of a Schwinn Predator I had back when I was a kid.

I love the color as well...very unique.Although...I am concerned some about the scratch factor.I went for a ride yesterday....when I stopped to take a break,I noticed three long 'scratches' on the front right upper fairing.Like something got dragged across it...not deep,but very disappointing.I think I may have done this when I cleaned the bike with a microfiber and collected some bug remains.(while washing).I have some Meguiar's scratch remover here.I cleaned it nicely,then applied the remover...buffed out...scratches gone totally.BUT...I don't know how long I can keep doing that without getting into the clear.I pretreated the whole painted parts on the bike with some quality sealer.3 coats actually.Maybe this helped with the scratches coming out.I have to say,I'm considering getting her repainted with the Kawasaki zx14 Green.Maybe a shade darker...but something that doesn't show scratches like this does.I have to be super careful when 'washing' with a microfiber and buffing out(drying).As beautiful as the factory paint is...not sure I want to be having to keep 'buffing out' light marks.It's a lot of maintenance to keep it pristene.We'll see.

I really like the zx14 Green color...and maintaining it was very easy.If it did have any marks on it....it didn't stand out like this does.I mean,you had to be at the right angle to see em on the H2...but once noticed...it makes me feel bad.I'll stick with it for now...give it some time to see where this deal actually pans out over time.This paint is so damn cool....keeping it like this is important.More important than the stress of keeping it like this?I'm not so sure right now.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 11:42 AM *

THAt factory paint is too nice to paint over, Grn.. Hang on, I'm sure someone will come up with some kind of solution to this problem. I've heard comments about he fragility of the paint surface since the bike started getting into the hands of owners. I don't understand why this paint can't be clearcoated...why not?

Well it has been clearcoated over...two times at least,from the factory.The 'scratches' aren't down into the paint.Just light surface marks.Long as they're light on the surface,they can be buffed out.I have as I said.But something like a rock chip,no...that wouldn't normally buff out.I purposely hang back or pass anything in front of me.But it's always there...you know.Somehow a rock(I assume) hit the rear wheel.IDK HOW it could get onto the rim,but it did.Chipped the green taping and put a small but visible hole through the painted surface.Little black touch up is all it needs...but still.The taping could always get a touchup as well...so that's not really a big deal.But if that would have been on the fairings anywhere...it would've been a major surface damage thing.Plus you can't just 'repair' these painted bodypanels.Not for something like that where it would need a touchup with paint.It would always look 'marred'.There is no matching paint for this bike.I'm just hoping (and trying)to be careful when I ride...avoid certain things that normally wouldn't be a real problem(on that Green paint anyway).

Covering it up with another cool color wouldn't be a bummer(to me anyway)Long as it was nicely and correctly done.I could live with it being zx Green;)You know...like on Ricky's bike...very nice color.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 1:10 PM *

Too bad Grn,it sounds like either the clearcoat is too soft or the paint underneath shows fine scratches easily from the diffracted light. I wouldn't worry about it or ride carefully, these bikes are going to get dinged up a litte, it eventually happens to all of them, just ride and enjoy!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/11/2015 @ 1:51 PM *

Thanks Kruz...yeah...it's a soft clearcoat for sure.But workable..like you said...nicks ARE inevitable.I know this.Just how it is...no sense in struggling with something I can't really change...just ride and enjoy...that's my plan!I was VERY relieved to see em disappear with a little swirl remover.Sa'll good.Trust me...in the right angle looking at em...it really was a bummer thinking they might end up permanently in there.You couldn't see em looking straight down on the nose...knowing they can be worked out...I felt a LOT better.

There was also a mark on the left front fairing by the mirror bracket...just below that right there.No one would see it.But I did....about a 1/4 inch by maybe about a half inch mark.I think it was a bug that nailed it right there,and I didn't take the time to clear the bike that day after I rode.Bugs have a shitload of acid sometimes in em.I think that's what this was.I tried buffing it...no go...it wasn't comin out.Then I tried that remover on there after doing the scratches.By God...it worked!It apparently hadn't reached past the clearcoat layers.VERY glad that one came out as well.I really didn't think it was gonna.From trying before.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 2:17 PM *

You suck!

lol

Beautiful.

This bike would ROCK up there in the Rockies!You KNOW you want one;)I'm at a little over 5k feet here...you'd have NO problem developing power with this cool SC.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 2:19 PM *

Call the colour of the H2 what you like but it's predominantly black and black shows scratches like no other. Looks the biz when clean and polished, on cars or bikes, but it can be a lot of work to keep them looking good, especially if they're used regularly. A clearcote that doesn't scratch in everyday use has yet to be made IMO. Good thing about the green of the 14R, apart from being a great colour in it's own right, is it hides scratches quite well. JMO

Tell me about it pegscraper. My tank was factory black before it was vandalized, and I had it repainted gloss black by a reputable local shop because I wanted it the way it was, and the new paint isn't even as hardy as the factory black.
:(

Big ole carbon fiber tank protector here I come.

G'day Geen,
I know everyone has different opinions on paint finishs and keeping all completely perfect.
Some just ride and accept there will be chips and scratches as part of the game. Others spend ages on their paint and finish.
But I am 100% like you.
I check my paint, buff out scratches where I can and carefully touch up where possible.
Just me.

The beautiful paint on your H2 being so open to scratching and marks would probably concern me as well but I was thinking. What about these new, very thin, clear protective plastic wraps that seem seem very effective.
You virtually can't see they are there and they would really protect the key areas.
You could have your cake and eat it too if you felt it was a viable option.
Perhaps worth looking into?

But I really agree with Rook.
Obviously its your bike and totally up to you but gee, I just don't know about painting over that incredible color.
And no doubt the resale value would drop considerably.

Good luck with it..

* Last updated by: yannih on 5/11/2015 @ 3:06 PM *

I haven't had any special problem with my midnight sapphire blue (which is really black) factory paint. Sure, the bikes got 47000 miles so there's bound to be a few rockstrikes but it looks new unless you look very close. I've rubbed it it with swirl remover very thoroughly at least once a year an i have never gone through the clearcoat yet. It sounds like they must have had to go thin on the clearcoat with this color for some reason. Instead of polishing, I'd start thinking sanding before the clearcoat is gone and then hit it with several layers of new clearcoat. Try it on the back of the fender and see if it hurts the color. That black chrome paint is sure nice. Kawi green is great for the H2 too however.

Paint's not paint in the motorcycle biz. the busa with one quarter the miles has a lot more ticks on the top faring and fender than the 14.

Yeah...I hear Yanman.Repainting would be a very LAST resort.And I mean..VERY.As for those clear films...a few have em on their bikes...all good reviews so far.I thought about that myself at first.I just need to be very careful when 'washing'.I mean...make sure nothing is getting caught in the fibers of the cloth.CRITICAL!Pretty sure that's where those long marks came from.But yeah...I might see about that film thing.Just hate the thought though about the edges and all coming loose over time.Gonna give some of these guys who've done it some time to see how they like it.It's a totally great idea.Not so darn sure anyone around here could actually pull it off on the install though.It has to be done right,or it'll look like...well...shit to put it mildly;)Hell...I'd do it myself if I truly felt confident that I could....it isn't just sticking it on there,and rubbing the 'bubbles' and all out.Pretty intense,though the video guys don't make it appear that way.Plus they aren't like going around a lot of differing sharp angles either.This bike has a bunch of sharpish angles and contours to it.We'll see...but excellent comment man...thank you!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 3:16 PM *

If that stuff is like vynil, it would be a nightmare to install it on your bike. It is not too hard on a rounded surface but I had a heck of a time getting my 4" vinyl stripes to go round the bottom of the b nose of my 14 straight. I think you would have to have seams all over on a bike like the H2. Also, vinyl has a slight texture to it. It's almost like a perfectly smooth gloss coat but not quite. I think it would not look good on a mirror like surface such as the H2 paint.

I loooove that color. Very unique.

Yup Rook..I think it may have a slight difference in texture...I really can't say.As for the 'thinness' of the clearcoat...nah...it's thick enough.I mean for buffing out barely visible stuff.They did want the paint protected.Actually sent TWO surface 'care-for' kits with the bike.And FULL instructions(a separate sheet included).They made a big deal of telling owners HOW to take care of this finish.

And zxman...thanks.It really looks special in the flesh.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 6:08 PM *

Good looking bike, Grn! Thanks for sharing.

I had the Expell ultimate put on the entire bike and there are a couple of spots it's not perfect but no worries on scratches anymore...... My OCD was in over drive with this girl....lol

So how's the surface of it?Like glass..like the factory paint?Any air trapped in there...any at all?That's what I'd be concerned about firstly.They make it appear so simple and perfect.Course,they were doing a hood on a beemer.Not many contours on that.And they were having to apply it with seams in there...that's GOTTA show up,right?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 8:09 PM *

It looks real good on the tank but I do have a few very small bubbles here and there but I'm good with it.... Ever time I had wiped this thing done I was getting scratches and that was killing me for sure. Mine was a custom job done free hand for better coverage....