2023 Yamaha Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 2023 Yamaha Vibe

Welcome to the era of "Stealth Mode." By 2023, Yamaha had fully embraced the dark side, leaning hard into a moody, aggressive aesthetic across All Models-from the street-shredding MT-09 to the dirt-hungry Grizzly. While the rest of the world was busy painting everything "appliance white," we've focused on the survivors that actually had some soul: Raven and Black Cherry. Raven was the king of the shadows, a deep, midnight black that looked mean in the showroom, while Black Cherry provided that sophisticated, "blink-and-you'll-miss-the-purple" metallic depth that only pops when the high-noon sun hits the tank just right.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's talk shop about what's actually on your fairings. We are firmly in the Thin Paint Era. Back in the day, you could practically sand a fender with a brick and still have enough lacquer left to shine. Not in 2023. These bikes were sprayed with "Robot Efficiency" in mind. The factory enamel is laid down with surgical precision, which is great for the bottom line but bad for your gas tank. The clear coat is thinner than a politician's promise, meaning those zippers on your riding jacket and the grit from the highway aren't just scratching the surface-they're trying to reach the plastic substrate. If you've got a Raven-colored frame or tank, you already know: look at it too hard, and a new swirl mark appears.

Restoration Tip

When you're fixing a chip on a 2023, you've got to respect the thinness. This isn't the time for the "one big blob and sand it flat" method. Because the factory layers are so lean, you want to build your layers slowly. Apply your color in thin, patient passes, letting it tack up in between. If you try to fill a deep chip in one shot, the solvent won't outgas properly, and you'll end up with a soft, shrunken mess that stands out like a sore thumb. Remember: several thin coats will always out-perform one thick one. Treat it like a fine Japanese blade-sharpen it slowly, and don't rush the finish.