2018 Suzuki-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (5 OEM Colors)

The 2018 Suzuki-Motorcycle Vibe

By 2018, Suzuki was leaning hard into that sharp, "all-angles" aesthetic. Whether you were tossing an SV650 through a canyon or stretching the legs on a GSX-R, the look was pure digital-age aggression. The color palette from this year wasn't trying to hide-it was designed to catch the sun and hold it. We've focused on the real survivors of this era, the heavy hitters like Oort Grey Metallic and the deep, multi-dimensional Medium Red Tricoat. These weren't just colors; they were statements of intent, wrapping everything from the V-Strom's beak to the Hayabusa's massive fairings in a high-tech metallic skin.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the peak of "Robot Efficiency." By 2018, the factory application process had become a science of "just enough." The finish on these bikes is beautiful and the clear coat is crystal clear, but it is undeniably thin. The robots in the booth were programmed for precision, not for thickness, which means the paint on your 2018 Suzuki is a high-performance skin rather than a protective shield. The biggest threat here isn't oxidation-it's the road itself. Between stone chips on the lower fairings and "tank rash" from your riding gear, the clear coat can surrender its grip if you aren't careful. If you see a chip, you're usually looking at bare metal or plastic faster than you would on a bike from twenty years ago.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2018 finish, remember: the factory didn't use a brush, so you shouldn't "blob" it on either. Because this era's paint is so thin, a heavy-handed repair will stand out like a sore thumb. Build your layers slowly. If you're working with a Tricoat like Pearl Mirage White, patience is your only friend. Apply your base thin, let it flash, and then build your mid-coat until the depth matches the surrounding panels. Once you're ready for the clear, keep it level with the original surface. Don't try to fill a canyon in one go; three thin passes will always beat one thick, goopy mess that never cures right.