batman wrote on 01/01/17 at 16:07:45:THE NEW TECH IS PROFIT! Suzuki found a way to make more money, black is much cheaper than chrome. I did see that it also comes with a black tank ,which is better than that punkin color they have in the first pic, god that's ugly!
First, profit isn't evil.
Second, the environmental impact of chroming is really pretty nasty.
If the black is more durable than what they have been doing I'm totally down with it. The spokes on these things just can't be kept nice without making a hobby out of polishing and That has to be from when they are new and there is no promises that will do it.
If I was manufacturing something and could change a process from an expensive and environmentally nasty step to one that costs less and isn't as nasty, I'd do it,
Save money, be environmentally responsible AND, hopefully, produce a finish that doesn't deteriorate so quickly. The chrome on these bikes leaves much to be desired. I hope the black finish is hard and doesn't fly off when it's time for a tire.
Just went to look again, turned the brightness up.. The spokes look to be unchanged... too bad.
I think the black tank and everything else black looks good.