There's an inherent emotionality to becoming a motorcycle aficionado in the U.S. because these machines are built into the culture as symbols of adventure and velocity with undertones of danger to an extent that automobiles cannot rival. In contrast to Europe or Asia, where motorcycles are considered viable means of transportation, Americans mostly see motorcycles as playthings Instead of transport vehicles. Everybody understands this. The finest toys are those that let you fiddle with them. , and even when it is A fast and straightforward visual update. The outcome can truly leave a lasting impact. Recently, we experienced a pleasant and mild sunny day in Northeast Ohio, prompting me to install some decals I bought for my motorcycles. Grabbing the Goo Gone and an old hair dryer, it’s time to work with vinyl.
Since I purchased this 1996 BMW R1100 GS in 2021. I've rode it across the country a few times I accumulated quite a few miles on the capable highway cruiser. I gave the bike some overdue maintenance, fitting it with a fresh set of all-purpose street-and-off-road tires and installing a high-performance G.P.R. exhaust system to enhance its sound. By now, very little on this motorcycle remains unmodified since the initial owner went through most of the Touratech parts catalog back in the mid-1990s. I have enjoyed all aspects of riding this. The old machine, however, had seen better days with its original 1996 graphics starting to look worn out.
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What Was Incorrect About the Previous Version?
Regardless of whether it was due to aging, exposure to sunlight causing damage, or perhaps splashes of gasoline eroding the original metallic finish graphics, those decals had certainly experienced their prime time. The process of removing the old stickers proved straightforward since they were roughly as thin as my thumbnail. However, eliminating the leftover adhesive from these three-decade-old decals required significantly more effort; multiple rounds of scrubbing with Goo Gone applied onto a cloth eventually did the trick. Prior to installing the fresh decals, I thoroughly cleaned the bicycle and wiped down the gas tank using an alcohol swab to ensure there wasn’t anything hindering proper adhesion.
I bought This collection of Paris/Dakar stickers from Germany available on eBay . It's important to know that they're not modeled on anything BMW ever offered from the factory on the R1100 GS. In fact, by 1996 BMW had shifted its Dakar bike to the F650 chassis instead of the trending-larger GS lineup. This M-colors design is inspired by the previous version of the R80 GS racing motorcycle , tailored for the R1100 GS tank. Although these were made with a white bike in mind, I thought they’d look fantastic on my Kalahari Yellow model as well. After some effort to align them properly, my spouse and I managed to install them successfully, confirming my initial hunch. At less than $100 delivered right to my doorstep, this upgrade transformed the appearance of my GS, giving it a classic yet timeless aesthetic instead of appearing outdated like the old decals did.
What About The LiveWire?
If there’s a single motorcycle I adore even more than my GS, It's my 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire. . This is definitely the finest bicycle Harley has ever produced , and potentially the finest motorcycle ever crafted in America. However, something about its appearance just didn’t resonate with me, and I knew I needed to alter that. A few years back when I bought this bike, I ended up choosing a version adorned with black plastic parts at quite a discounted price. What I truly desired was either an orange or neon lime-green LiveWire model, yet those vibrant color options came with an additional cost of at least a couple thousand dollars more than what I could initially afford. Hence, opting for black became inevitable. The lack of vivid coloring always left me feeling discontented; thus, I began exploring methods to transform my ride into exactly how I envisioned it.
Afterward, I got a set of the matte silver and white 2022 edition LiveWire One body parts, specifically the headlight cowl and two side panels often referred to as "tanks." Since LiveWire became an independent entity, they introduced fresh graphics. Although I believed these updates might improve my satisfaction, I discovered that the white design was nearly as unexciting to me as the previous black one had been. During the same purchase, I also acquired LiveWire's carbon fiber package , featuring a carbon fiber "speed screen" section of the cowl, a pillion cover, a rear control cylinder cover, a transmission "accent cover," and a carbon appliqué for the top of the fuel tank, along with installation. a Motobox tail tidy set To relocate the license plate upward and remove the rear mudguard. This significantly improved the motorcycle’s appearance, yet still, this configuration didn’t quite hit the mark.
Yeah, That's Perfect
After realizing that the bicycle required some vibrant colors, I approached my painter and enquired if they could swiftly complete a three-part painting task for me. While he was in the midst of my 996 Turbo repaint project . As someone who has always been obsessed with Porsches, I ultimately decided on Porsche GTS Red For my LiveWire’s body work, I kept the front fender glossy black for some contrast, plus I didn’t really want it to be too noticeable. The splash of color definitely enhances the overall appearance, at least in my opinion. However, without any logos, nobody would have known I was riding an authentic electric motorcycle.
I eventually found A streamlined bar and shield design that caught my eye on Etsy. In a suitable four-by-five inch dimension. Should you possess a vinyl cutter at your place, you might design and create these yourself at a much lower cost. However, as I lack such equipment, I opted to pay around $35 for two of them delivered to my doorstep. This seems like a fair exchange to me. Besides, I've invested far more in the paint anyways.
There’s plenty to discuss regarding swift cosmetic upgrades. The refreshed appearance doesn’t just motivate me to hit the trails; it also makes me eager to flaunt my bikes. When a bicycle rides well and brings joy, why not personalize it through straightforward and fairly manageable changes? Should boredom set in with your current ride, refrain from selling it for a newer one—considering how unstable the market can be right now. Instead, invest a bit of money into fresh stickers or perhaps an elegant carbon-fiber trim package. This will renew your enthusiasm without breaking the bank compared to what dealers might charge for a brand-new cycle. Simply ensure your customizations remain tasteful and period-appropriate, and you’ll always choose wisely.
And adding new decals to a bike boosts its performance by at least 15 horsepower, wouldn’t you say?
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