Pretty common I know with the 08> blades and even worse if the tank is black ... Just wondering what you have done to prevent it? I seem to be scratching the tank either side of tank pad ... will take some pictures in bit. Ventureshield, stomp grips and HRC tank pad installed !
I used g3 paint renovator on my original tank cover in exactly the same places and exactly the same colour scheme.It brought the fine scratches out and polishes it at the same time.
Do what I did, I found ( I cant remember if it was via this site or Ebay) a spare tank cover. I have the original in a box in the loft and keep the older one on the bike. I don't think I paid more than about £30-40 for the one I have and I look after it but not fussed if it gets damaged. I have a few bits I have replaced with extras such as the front mud guard, tank cover, and even exhaust that was removed for my Yoshi R77 at the first 600 mile service all nice and clean in a few boxes in the loft May seem daft to some but I only bought the parts (apart from new Exhaust) for a good price and keeps the original in good nick.
Understand Matt, but what's the point in having something nice to replace the parts with older stuff? Me personally, I want to get the enjoyment out of the bikes. Don't get me wrong, I look after them but a few marks here and there isn't going to devalue a bike that much, especially if it's got a few miles on it. OCD- get some 3m or similar and cover the area, after removing and then replacing the tank cover over the top of it
The stuff I have replaced you would not notice anything different. look at any of my pics and see if you notice the difference. I have not replaced them with old scratched tank covers, but things that have come up at a good price and I bought
Cadwell Sept 2014 In the pics there are a number of bodywork items I have replaced with secondhand parts. Mainly for me so I don't have to worry about them being scratched. this does not mean I won't clean, wax and look after it. So I can't see that i'm replacing a nice looking bike with something older and thus not as nice. but yea the best bet is the ventureshield stuff which I also have on the bike for the edit: Pic of my bike at Anglesey 2011 before I added any older parts to the bike
I think easiest way will be to remove tank pad, Polish up to remove scratches, install 3M film and a new tank pad ... The new ventureshield films are crap... scratch like crazy!
So why not just replace the panels as and when needed? Sorry mate, really don't get your logic- but hey ho, each to their own.
I've had a baglux cover on my original tank cover (Pearl white) and that is perfect. The black does appear to show marks / scratches far more than the white ever did. At least with it being black its an easy colour to match if you ever did have to respray it.
I'm not saying what I should do is the best way. I only bought the items when they came up at a reasonable price. IE I would have not bought them otherwise.
I think this is one of them catch 22 situations, if you ride the bike and get the enjoyment out of it then it will show signs of wear on everything from stone chips, small scratches and crud build up................don't ride the bike you don't get the scratches and other usage marks and mileage stays low but the bike still depreciates in value and you get very lil enjoyment out of it! I would rather ride it and just do what I can to minimise damage while I am smiling away in my lid heading down the road!
With you Craig.... Don't get pampering it, and not riding to keep miles down only to make marginal difference in value come sale time and give some other fecker the benefit. Tbh... Most things I've bought, it's been with a view that if I get anything back come trade in, it's a bonus lol that said, nothing wrong with looking after your bike, but some folk go over the top IMO. Miles = smiles.
lol ... I do a minimum of 1200 miles a month, often up to 2000 miles during summer ... It gets used I just like to look after my bikes
Not saying you don't mate, like I said, nothing wrong with using and looking after.... But I've known dudes turn down days out in perfect weather as they 'didn't want to put the miles on their bike' Wtf!!??
But putting 1200 miles a month on any vehicle will cause it to show signs of use, no matter how much plastic film it's got wrapped over it and polishing it every week or so to keep scratches marks away will enevitibly lead to you buffing through the paint too.
So because I'm awkward/clumsy at times. I'm glad I bought an aftermarket fairing set S/H cos that front cowling has had some proper stones hit it.One was that big it took a chunk out of it and put a chip in the headlight, our Dave V saw the damage done.Two silly fall overs but managed to hold it with cracks around both the mirror bases. I didn't want to wreck the originals and they only cost me £150.Just bought another headlight for £32 made a mint one out of the two.Put it away with the originals.It was a godsend for me.That little lot would have cost me £1000 if originals were used.
Maybe look at your gear. I wear full leathers all year round and find it gentler on body work. Textiles eg cordura, kevlar woven products are designed to be wear resistant and by nature can be pretty hard on body work
