Covets or Coveting: verb - yearn to possess or have....
The Gladius doesn't seem to be a popular bike in the USA, but by searching websites online I can find dealer options and accessories that aren't available here.
One day, a year or so ago, I saw a picture on the Suzuki UK website and I have been drooling over it every since. I have a copy saved on my work computer, home computer and even my iPad.
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| (Stock Suzuki photo, from Suzuki UK) |
Suzuki UK sells a kit for a checkerboard pattern on the petrol tank side covers as seen above. It is officially called the Chequered Tank Design Set 990D0-44H03-PAD, and retails for £145 (approx $242 USD). From the website I can't tell if they are gel covers, stickers or exactly what. All I know is I like them.
On another website I found a description that says: "Two silver S marks and stickers set for the side panel covers in same design are included."
Yet another website describes it as "tank design cover" and "Black and white checkered graphic to protect your fuel tank. It not only adds protection, but looks stunning and gives a real sporty look."
So, why if I like it so much have I not bought the kit? Well, I am having a hard time justifying spending the £145 plus shipping and exchange to US Dollars for stickers. It would be close to $300 delivered.
It would be one thing if it was a true farkle - functional and sparkly. But this is just pure aesthetics with no real function.
We've been to a local vinyl piece that makes decals and signs and such and they wouldn't touch it. They said they make the pattern in sheets and would have to cut around it with a razor blade and that they couldn't guarantee the squares would still be square when they went around the angles of the cover.
You wouldn't think it would be that hard to replicate.
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| (Can you picture him with chequerboard covers?) |
What do you think? Too much or just the right amount of flash for Max?
Any artsy type folks out there with any ideas on replication and/or vinyl application?
- Au Revoir
" It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." - Walter Bagehot
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I love checkerboard design, so that's all good to me. I'm confused and surprised that any auto/cycle detail shop would have worries. But then maybe that's why there is a lot more hand painted design on motorcycles. ? Don't know. Could be a regional thing or just me not paying much attention.
ReplyDeleteI like your new header very much. I hope mine improves soon. :^)
We've just checked into one shop and it was a vinyl decal shop not an actual body shop so that might make a difference.
DeleteThe header pic is actually 3 years old. Kind of an homage to bringing him home that year.
Well, $300 is a bargain compared to getting the tank painted. But I think you may have to pick them up in person to eliminate the exorbitant shipping costs…
ReplyDeletePlus, it claims to be functional.
"Black and white checkered graphic to protect your fuel tank."
Yeah custom painting can't be cheap but the time they prep, mask it off and do the actual work. They have to make some money at it.
DeleteWould that a trip to the UK was that cheap.
You can take a crack at painting it yourself. Small dual-action, gravity feed airbrush is pretty cheap. For a small project it should be sufficient. Practice on the dirt bike, then maybe after Max you can do a mural on the Subaru.
DeleteI think before we attempted it ourselves I want to buy spare side pieces just in case something went horribly wrong. Brad did that when he had the side cover painted on his America. Bought a spare on ebay and had the spare painted.
DeleteMural on the Subaru - it is so dirty you'd never see the paint.
Actually, painting it yourself was a serious suggestion especially since it's a modest, straight forward pattern. Not as difficult as some of the other DIY projects you've taken on. And it's even easier if the panels are removable. I thought that you would be painting the tank itself.
DeleteHmmm, Brad did make a homemade sand blast unit at one point and painted the tank of the KZ. The white pieces on the tank are removable which makes that part easier. Hmmmm.
DeleteWell I am not one to be objective about farkles! As with anything I am totally an accessory and bling gal. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteI am not huge on bling. I don't even wear any jewelry except for my rings.
DeleteBut for some reason I really like the looks of the checkerboard with the blue and white bike.
It's not bad and I've seen a Connie with a checkered flag pattern on it's fairings that looked cool a while ago.
ReplyDeleteMaybe look into vinyl wrap - there are lots of colours and some patterned stuff. I have some carbon fibre patterned wrap around here that I was to play with one day...
I think check board can look good if it isn't overwhelming and the tank sides are small enough as not to overwhelm.
DeleteGet to the carbon fibre wrap and let me know how it goes........
I can picture it in my mind. It would look beautiful on your bike, that's for sure. I have checked prices on the European mainland… same cost in USD like getting it from England.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sonja. And thanks for checking on the shipping over there too. It would be nice if it was available in Canada as it might be easier to acquire, but no such luck.
DeleteSee what happens when I try to be different?
i think max wants it! i say go for it! it's super cool! :)
ReplyDeleteas far as pricing, i'm not surprised...
btw, the labor on a few hours masking/paint would probably make the sticker cheaper than a paint job. just my $0.02.
Thanks MQ, you are probably right it would be cheaper just to order it.
DeleteLove the chequers Brandy, especially with the colour of your bike. My last two bikes had the 3M clearfilm on the tank to protect the paintwork. After making a mess of it myself on a previous bike, I got the professionals to do it on the last two and it was incredible to watch them - took no time at all with a perfect result.
ReplyDeleteHello Geoff!! I don't think I'd want to attempt the film myself. I can understand why you had someone else apply it the last two. Brad has it on his Tiger, it was there from the previous owner. Couldn't have been easy to apply - it is even on the side cases.
DeleteI love the chequers!! If it was me I'd do it, much cheaper than getting it painted. Is there a professional body shop that you can talk to about it, might be cheaper for them as you would think they would be used to doing that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them Brenda. There are a lot of body shops around and even Hydrographics places not too far away. The body shops would be pricey and I can't get any hydrographics places to email me back.
DeleteBrandy, the checks look good but I think Max looks "great" just the way he is ... it's all about what you like yourself and how much you're willing to pay.
ReplyDeleteHe is fine the way he is but there isn't anything wrong with a little window dressing, so to speak.
DeleteYou want it. Why not?
ReplyDeleteBecause I am frugal, OCD, and I have to analyze everything to death first. Luckily hubby has the same afflictions.
DeleteLike the guy from that "OTHER" university said... Just Do It...
ReplyDeleteIt will look fabulous and there won't be another one like it around here anytime soon.. Max deserves it for putting up with Troubadour flogging him so harshly..
No quoting Mr. Nike, lol.
DeleteYeah, I dont' think there would be another one like it in the state let alone this half of the USA. Would be an original. He turns heads now, not sure what would happen with the side covers done up.
I let Troubadour flog him since he gets rid of the chicken strips for me - shhh it is a secret, lol.
Very cool! I say. if you're going to keep the bike for a while, do it. I've spent more for some lime green plastic for mine...
ReplyDeleteThanks Erik. One of the reasons I am not keen on bikes with fairings is the plastics can be so darn expensive. Luckily I've only dropped Max twice and no scratching was involved.
DeleteAnd no we have no intentions of selling the bike. The new 2014's are selling for $8,200, I think Suzuki is on crack. We didn't pay over $5k for Max out the door brand new.
Trobairtiz:
ReplyDeleteMost often, what appears to be the most expensive option (buying the overpriced vinyl), may end up being the least costly. I'll keep my eye out up here just in case the Suzuki dealers have new old stock on clearance. You just never know . . . If there is a cdn part number I may be able to get a discount
bob
A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast
Me thinks they never sold that part in Canada either, but thanks for keeping an eye out.
DeleteNo opinion on the checkered tank, but I couldn't help but notice your new aftermarket exhaust. How's the rumble? :)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the threadjack! :)
I love the IXIL slip on. One of the best farkles I've done. We put it on just a few months after buying the bike and it has a nice rumble to it (almost dirt bike-like). Better than the sewing machine sound it had, and for just $100 a great bargain.
Deletemmm sounds expensive to me, but if you like it why not get it.
ReplyDeleteI will get it at some point, just a matter of prioritizing and general procrastination. That and I am wanting a new hi-vis Rev'it jacket before the riding season really starts and they are the same price.
DeleteI had a look online and that £145 is the full price, you should be able to get a tax free price for export that is more like £120. I've emailed a Suzuki dealer I have bought stuff to see if they can do a tax-free price.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that was tax included. Thanks for checking on it for me Paul. Much appreciated. If you find the dealer is willing to deal directly with someone in the USA let me know and I too can email them to set up a sale.
DeleteThanks again for checking into it.
Trobairitz,
ReplyDeleteI think it looks way cool and you like it...make Max one-of-a-kind...just like his mistress!
-Colleen
Ha, thanks Colleen. I guess they did break the mold when they made me - whether that is good, bad or not, I dunno.
DeleteYeah, it sounds like it is just a matter of time. You like it and that's what matters. That it will look awesome on your bike is just bonus
ReplyDelete~k
Yeah, I checked out the hi-vis Rev'it jacket I've been wanting and it is actually more expensive than this, so I guess in comparison this isn't too bad. Just seems a tad pricey to pay that for 2 'stickers'.
DeleteI like the checkers but would buy gas instead for that price. We're all so very glad that most everyone has more class and style than I do.
ReplyDeleteAnd gas has been going back up too. There were a few times we paid $2.99/gallon this winter but we are back to $3.55/gallon now.
DeleteAnd I have never been known for my fashion sense - more like lack of fashion. Comfort usually trumps style.
Oh, I almost forgot after getting down through 40 Comments......really like your new banner photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks Coop, It is an old one from when we first brought it home, but it is spring-like.
DeleteAnd I didn't know this post would be that popular and you'd have to scroll so far. Glad you stayed awake for it, lol.
I like the checkers, goes well with the sporty look. The Smart car (I know its a car) has decals that are made to put on the cars to change the appearance and make it original. They can be ordered in any pattern you wish. Maybe they can send you to the right place from their website?
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean it would go faster with the checkers if it makes it look sportier?
DeleteYeah Mini Coopers have the checkers on their mirrors too as an option, you wouldn't think it would be that hard to do with vinyl, people in these parts just don't seem willing.
Trobairitz,
ReplyDeleteSounds like this is something you really like...I mean saving a photo on all your computers and the research you've done says something. Even though it's purely for aesthetics it will make you love your bike that much more...your bike will be more you. That's one of the great things about motorcycles...we can customize them to make the unique to us.
I say shell out the cash and enjoy. Don't let your practical side take the fun out of it for you. :-)
Cheers,
Curt
Live Free. Ride Hard. Be Happy
www.curtcarter.com
Yeah, I do really like it, apparently I just procrastinate. I really have no reason not to order it.
DeleteAnd you are right, we are lucky that we get to customize our bikes and make them unique. I am surprised at how much customization I see on the Gladius forum, but have never seen someone put these on their bike.
I stood in an antique store in Fort Worth, Texas drooling over a painting. An elderly lady walked past and commented to me, "You obviously like it, take my advice - buy it or you will always regret it."
ReplyDeleteI took her advice and remember that experience with a smile every time I walk down the hallway and see the painting. :)
I know I should just pull the trigger and buy them. Funny thing is, if it was for Brad's bikes I wouldn't have a problem spending the money, I just hate to spend it on myself, Silly, I know.
DeleteI love the graphic, but that's a lot. I'm not into the whole farkle thing. A cheap little sticker here or there, but just can't bring myself to spend bucks like that just for looks.
ReplyDeleteEven though I really like it, I too have a hard time spending $300 of two stickers. Must be why I still haven't bought them. Hard to pull the trigger when it is just all frosting for the bike and no function.
Delete