How to care for the Mattie black finish

[Doug44]

Hello to the group I will be picking up my 2013 S-10 after Christmas and am wondering what others who have this finish on this bike do, do you just wash & dry or do I use some sort of wax etc.


Doug
Decatur, iL.

 

[Joe-JOE]

Lemon pledge will transform it like its got a clearcoat luster.

 

[Firefight911]

Had the Matte Gray finish on my since departed F800GS. Used nothing other than an occasional S-100 wash and the Honda spray cleaner or Plexus. Kept it looking great.

 

[JohnB]

My Street Triple is Matte Graphite. The Honda spray polish works great for a quick detailing. If you want something more substantial, I use the Turtle Wax Ice liquid (or paste). It won't make it glossy but adds just a little shine to the matte finish and , of course, water will bead like any wax. What's great about the Turtle Ice is that it won't leave any white residue anywhere, even on black plastic parts so you can use it everywhere. I've been told that a canauba wax is OK but I never tried that. ::021::

 

[CAMTEX]

DO NOT USE LEMON PLEDGE, a friend of mine used it on his car and swore by it but that car is gray now. Just use an ammonia based window cleaner and nothing else. I also had a matte black Triumph and it worked perfect. Only use products developed for that type of finish. By the way this is my first post just picked up my S10.

 

[fredz43]

Hello to the group I will be picking up my 2013 S-10 after Christmas and am wondering what others who have this finish on this bike do, do you just wash & dry or do I use some sort of wax etc.


Doug
Decatur, iL.

Hi Doug, Welcome to the forum. Glad to see that you are getting a Super Tenere. I have a bit over 19,000 miles on mine now and love it.

Doug and I are fellow members of the Springfield Milers BMW club in Springfield, IL. Neither of us ride a BMW, but the good folks in that club don't discriminate. We enjoy the fellowship along with the good natured kidding in both directions that is part of being a member.

BTW, Doug, don't be surprised when your matte black Super Ten turns out to be matte gray. ;D

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelspecs/651/0/specs.aspx

 

[Doug44]

Hi Fred & thanks to you for the intro and warm welcome. Yes I have seen the bike at the dealer but awaiting the bags etc before bringing home. Btw Fred does this machine use premium fuel? I printed the European owners manual and have noted in that manual they state it does but I am not sure here.

 

[fredz43]

Doug, our manuals also state premium, but many owners run regular or mid grade with no noted ill effects. When I had my ECU reflashed at AF1 racing, I selected the option of 85-90 octane.

 

[MotoPumps]

Have had the same finish on a HD Street Glide and Iron 883. The advice from the dealer and the factory is Windex with ammonia. No kidding. Used it regularly on both bikes for multiple seasons and it works great.

Waxes and sprays like lemon pledge are a no-no. They make a mess and change the finish, then wear off in very uneven ways. Wash and dry normally. Detail with Windex.

::003::

 

[Joe-JOE]

About 10 years ago...I bought this 2003 "Yamaha flat black Matte Vmax.
Lemon pledge or S-100 engine brightner was used on the bodywork & motor for many years with no ill effects.

Compared to other 03's that were only washed & left be...my bike seemed preserved from fading, weathering, & also looked better in the long run. I'd wash, blowdry, mist pledge or s100, lightly wipe, & the bike had a detailed look for hundreds of Miles.
Your call on 2013 gray matter tenere, but my 2003 yamaha matter black was fine with lemon pledge sprayed on the motor,paint, frame, fork legs, etc...

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Doug44. I missed you there for a bit. Please post under "Member Intros" so the rest of the forum can get a chance to welcome you. Congrats on the new bike. Post some pics when you get it. You said 2013 ... what color is it? Again, ::004:: to the Forum. R ::022::

 

[Doug44]

Thank you Rem for the welcome my bike is the Mattie Grey.

 

[CDMartin884]

Plexus, and welcome to the board.

 

[coastie]

Sorry cant help ya. Us guys that ride the blue ones just splash a bit of mud and dirt on them, then rinse and repeat.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rem]

Thank you Rem for the welcome my bike is the Mattie Grey.

So is mine, dude ... so is mine. Can't ride it until April but what the hey ... it's GRAY !!! R ::012::

 

[rem]

Us guys that ride the blue ones just splash a bit of mud and dirt on them, then rinse and repeat.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

That's because you can't turn a pig's butt into .... no wait ... sorry ... you can't make a powder puff from a pig's snout ... no wait ... you can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse ... something like that. We get it. ::025:: ::015:: ::014:: ::012:: R

 

[eastwa]

Looks like there are a few more Matte bikes out there since this was posted.
Any updates on cleaners for this finish?

 

[Doug44]

Looks like there are a few more Matte bikes out there since this was posted.
Any updates on cleaners for this finish?

I am the OP here and can report after 6 mo I have only used soap & water and it remans like the day it came out of the crate. I am sure someday it might need something but I don't want to apply anything that would give it a shinny look.
::015::