I saw somewhere where Harley was describing the denim finish as something that was supposed to achieve a patina of sorts over time from things rubbing against it . . . in other words, worn spots on the paint to indicate use. I guess that's okay for the original owner, but I would think it might be a turn-off to the next one.
I'm sure it's supposed to give the bikes a more hot-rod, home-spun look. Not for me. At least not on a new bike. On my old Sportster, Rust-Oleum middle-green flat camouflage paint, it's fine. Not to mention thrifty.

 

Had it on my 2012 SG. It was OK. The shiny spots it developed over time started to bug me. But I liked the lower maintenance and no swirl marks. I eventually painted the bike and went with a satin finish which is more shiny than denim, but not as much as regular clear coat. It was a good call - mitigated the swirl marks and didn't get as shiny where my knees rubbed on the tank. I would not go with denim again due to the fact that it's very common now, in addition to those shiny spots they are calling "patina". I also wouldn't go with vivid black for reasons you listed. Loving my olive gold RKS, and also really like silver paint. My 2 cents... good luck with your decision.

 

I love my Red Iron Denim Slim. It's really easy to maintain (no fingerprints!), and it gets lots of compliments. I tend to ride with my feet near the outsides of my foot boards, so my knees hitting the tank isn't a big concern.

It's not for everybody. But at least it's not boring like Vivid Black.

 

Denim paint looks like primer. No thanks.

 

My FB Lo was black denim. I disagree that it is trying to look like primer. It has a shine to it unlike primer, and actually looks good IMO. That said, I would not buy another denim bike. You had to be careful not to get wax on the paint when waxing other parts of the bike. I use a spray wax, and would cover the denim parts. On my gloss bikes I just wax everything. I also had a stain on the tank I could not get off from gas dripping on it. The finish is definitely more delicate than my gloss bikes.

 

I had a black denim roadglide for over 4 years, rode 45,000 or so miles. the finish still looked great when I traded it in for my cvo. I would own one again.

a couple of 'myths' that you need to ignore. it does in fact have a clear coat over it, and it is not 'high maintenance'. all you really need to clean it is some windex with ammonia. that's what hd used to recommend before they came out with their denim cleaner. just don't use it on your windshield.

be sure to post up pics after you buy it.

 

My Sportster (now my Son's) is denim black because that is the color of the used bike I found. It is a snap to keep clean: Windex and a cloth gets it as good as it gets. Touch up is via Sharpie. If other colors were available for the same price, I probably wouldn't choose it, but that is nothing more than personal preference.

 

Have it and i love it get compliments all the time about how it looks better because it's just not some shinny black bike like everyone else's. And it is extremely easy to take care of

 

Everybody that I run into compliments me on my bike. I absolutely love it and want to get my next 1 in Denim as well. I do admit that you need some kind of accent or pinstripes to break it up or it does come across a little dull.

 

I love my White Hot Denim. I get lots of compliments as it's not a color you see very often.