2016 BMW-Motorcycles Touch Up Paint (6 OEM Colors)

The 2016 BMW-Motorcycles Vibe

By 2016, BMW Motorrad was leaning hard into the "Industrial Explorer" aesthetic. This was the year of the Triple Black R1200GS and the peak of the S1000RR's asymmetric glare. The palette was serious, moody, and built for the long haul-or at least to look like it at the coffee shop. We've focused on the survivors of this era, keeping the heavy hitters like Asphalt Grey, Racing Red, and the rugged Kalamata Metallic Matte in play. Back then, if your bike wasn't a shade of Black, Maroon, or "Get-Out-Of-My-Way Red," were you even riding a Beemer?

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. In 2016, the robots at the Berlin-Spandau plant were calibrated for maximum efficiency. They were so good at their jobs that they applied just enough paint to look flawless under showroom lights, but didn't leave much "meat" for the real world. These factory finishes are beautiful, but they are notoriously thin. Whether you're dealing with the stealthy Kalamata Metallic Matte or the deep gloss of Black Storm, you're likely seeing "Robot Efficiency" in the form of peppered stone chips on the leading edges of your fairings. The clear coat is tough, but there's just not a lot of it between your pigment and the gravel.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2016 Beemer, remember: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Because the factory finish is so lean, a big, thick drop of touch-up paint will stick out like a sore thumb. Use a steady hand to apply several thin "whisper coats" rather than one heavy glob. This is especially true for the Kalamata Metallic Matte-matte finishes don't hide mistakes, so keep your applications light and level with the surrounding surface. If you're working on the Racing Red or Asphalt Grey, building the color depth gradually ensures the repair sits flush with that thin factory clear.