Having owned the bike just over 5 weeks now, I've spotted my first stone chip - and I'm more devastated that I expected. It's a chip in just the decal on the lower front left fairing (in the red part of the Repsol scheme). I know replacing the decal is a) a PITA, and b) prohibitively expensive, but does anyone have any info on the best way to touch it up? Additionally, any magic to avoid more?
Thanks for the advice - finding a fitter within a reasonable distance to Somerset is proving tricky though I can't help it! It's my first actually new vehicle of any kind. Every blemish hurts me...
+1 I ventureshield my blade as soon as I got it with only 3k on the clock and not a mark on it... the ventureshield helped but it by no means solves the issue. Have quite a few stonechips in places where the ventureshield doesn't reach. I stopped caring after the first couple. It's a mass produced motorcycle... accept it will get marked and enjoy it, otherwise you'll get paranoid and wont use it. Been there - done that.
Same thing happened to me. Got some touch up paint from eBay, not perfect but close enough then put ventureshield on. Hardly notice it now.
I managed to do ~120k in 4 years on the VFR before the gearbox died. And that included 18 months self employed where I didn't really go anywhere. I've got a shorter commute now though (15 miles each way) so won't be as much. I think maybe the 4k/year miles on the PCP might be a little low though...
Agree with the Venture shield my Blade is 7 years old and done 17k miles side panels and front nose cone as good as the day it left the factory.
Just enjoy your bike ride i would say and not worry too much about it. If you are planning to sell it in the future then it is a good investment but like others mentioned here, it will protect only certain parts.
