Everything You Need to Know about Motocross Bike Graphics

No matter what type of riding you’re into, any bike carrying the ‘Ready to Race’ logo will get there well before anybody else. KTM has a rich history, backed by racing victories both on and off-road (over 330 World Championship titles across different categories), and with bikes that have set trends other manufacturers follow. These are machines that are instantly recognisable. Not only by the proprietary KTM orange but also by innovative tech to give riders the edge. 
The company has dominated the motocross and enduro segments for years and is making inroads with its road-focused bikes. Whether you’re just getting into riding and straddling your first 65 SX, showcasing your dirt skills with a fully-fledged 450 SX-F, dominating the streets with the 690 SMR or discovering the world with any of the Adventure bikes, KTM has the performance credentials that let you fly high. Riders are treated to exceptionally capable frames, class-leading power output, and top-of-the-shelf parts. You won’t find entry-level machines here, and this is what places KTM on podiums more than any other bike maker.
Anyone in competitive racing can add a personalised touch to any of the two or four-stroke speed machines by treating their bikes to a range of ready-made or custom KTM graphics kits. These are designed to perfectly fit the different parts of the bike, come in tons of different colours and patterns, and will make you stand out from the crowd of orange-coloured bikes on the track. 

Why Have a Graphics Kit?

Besides making your bike look cool, a graphics kit also has a practical part to play. Consider installing one on your KTM bike if: 

• You want to protect your bike – All dirt bikes can benefit from an added layer of protection to shield fragile plastics from gravel, rocks and mud. Graphics will also help plastics look fresh, by preventing UV radiation. This is the main reason why some parts can turn brittle and break on minor impact. Opting for thicker graphics also goes a long way in preventing scratches, scuffs, or more serious damage to various bike parts such as the front fork tubes and rear swingarm. 
• You want to keep the bike clean – The vinyl in graphics kits for KTM prevents dirt and mud from building up on different parts of the bike. This keeps the bike cleaner and lighter at the same time. 
• You want the competitive advantage – Choose between abrasive or smooth stickers to improve your riding position, especially in bike parts in direct contact with the rider. This includes places lower in the frame to increase contact with boots, or around tanks and radiator shrouds, where you can go with sticky or smooth graphics depending on personal preference. 

Graphics additionally help you stand out, with names and numbers in easy-to-spot places, and the UV-resistant coating keeps the bike looking new. Used in competition racing on any level, well-thought-out and eye-catching kits can also lure the attention of potential sponsors. 

Types of Kits

When you’re after KTM graphics kits, there are a few types to choose from. Full kits cover most or all of the bike plastics and adjoining parts, including the front and rear mudguards and deflectors, the swingarm sides, fork tubes, the front and side number plates, the radiator shrouds, the airbox, and the tank. 
Trim kits are more basic and cover mudguards, fork tubes, and fork deflectors. Alternatively, you can get number plate kits that have your race number and name printed on transparent or patterned backgrounds. 

What to Look for

There are hundreds of options and dozens of companies that make sticker kits for your KTM. Not all are the same though. A few important things will tell you whether you’re getting a quality product: 

1. Materials – Vinyl is the most common material in a graphics kit. This can be in a matte or gloss finish and is usually perforated to prevent bubbling and allow fuel fumes to escape. Also, pay attention to the adhesive backing. The quality of the material and how long it lasts are generally down to thickness. 
2. Thickness – Choosing the right thickness means your bike can take more abuse in harder riding, and look the part for longer. Kits that are thinner will wear out only after a few races. Going for vinyl that is 16 mils thick (or 400 microns) is considered the middle ground and a good balance between price, protection, weight, and durability. Thinner decals and stickers are 12 mil or 300 microns, whereas more durable and thicker stickers are either 21 mil or 533 microns and ultra-heavy types in 32 mil or 812 microns.
3. Kit compatible with your bike – Ensure that the kit you’re buying is designed specifically for your KTM. The slight differences between designs in the same bike from year to year mean that the graphics will also be sized differently, and may not fit the contours of different parts. 
4. Choose a respected brand – Precision cut graphics kits that are easy to install and fit precisely to your bike are available from companies that put in the needed effort and research for each bike separately. They’ll also use only the best materials and of the right thickness. This ensures a clean and neat look, more protection for your bike over the long term, and one that’s easier and more enjoyable to ride.