If you want to match a helmet, trailer, or other item, black is the color. There are many shades of red, yellow or blue but black is black and most companies make their products in black.
Ok some of you missed the point of this thread completely. Not why black. That is obvious. But why Harley doesn't use a better quality metallic black since black is so popular.
Metalic doesn't have anything to do with quality that I know of.
Red and black cars and bikes have always come off the assembly line in enamel paint not metalic. They wouldn't be black or red if they had metalic in the paint.....................they would be metalic.
Ok some of you missed the point of this thread completely. Not why black. That is obvious. But why Harley doesn't use a better quality metallic black since black is so popular.
Because you CAN NOT get a "true/deep" black with metal flake. The metal flake will cause the Black to look Grayish because the "flake" is a lighter color than black.
If Black metal flake existed it would simply give the appearance of the Vivid Black. As someone else mentioned, the Clear coat is very "soft" and scratches too easily.
The contrast between vivid black and chrome beats any other color HD makes. However, the turquoise/antique white of the 09's is the probably the best color scheme they have.
Monstermile for what it is worth i sold my 2006 black pearl street glide and bought a 2008black one. one of the biggest regrets i have made as far as bikes go.i think harley uses crap paint and clear coat so our bikes look aged real fast and makes us want to get new ones.
black is most popular because it is classic and looks the best, would you want a 70 yellow cadillac or a nice mint black one? also like mentioned the black paint ties in with the seats, frame, engine & tires. also you get plenty of free murals that change all the time, look at my saddlebag and tank in my sig. pic