3M Venture Guard - Feedback

I have had the 3M Venture Guard on my 1199 Tricolore for a few months now and at installation time I decided to review it after 3 months.

While I like the concept of the venture film, I have experienced the following :

- It dulls the overall look of the bike.
- It collects dirt at the edges of the film and as such as time passes you can see the edges of the guard.
- It is not that easy to clean the guard.
- The total protection area is not really adequate.
- In the hot california air, the protective film marks and nicks very easily.
- I suspect that over a period of time leaving the guard on will lead to paint discoloration.

However, I have been advised that :

- The guard is self-healing if left in the sun ( not found this to be true ).
- you can use a toothpick to clean the edges of the guard.
- you can peel the guard off and use adhesive remover to remove the remains.

However, the 3M Venture Guard has saved my paintwork in a big way more than enough to pay for itself and justify having it on. I have DP rear sets and I have experienced bolts coming loose on BOTH sides. One side while riding worked itself loose and the spring scratched the bottom half of the fairing. Luckily the 3M venture guard took the brunt of the damage - otherwise a new bottom fairing would of been needed.

Maybe I am too much of a perfectionist.


So, as you might guess I will probably remove the guard. PLEASE NOTE THAT I VALUE feedback from other folks who ACTUALLY have the 3M venture guard and any feedback from those who have ACTUALLY removed it easily - on a Panigale ?

That's very helpful, thanks for posting.

Exactly what i was thinking when everyone jumped the 3m bandwagon.
Sure when new, you barely see any edges, but when time comes by, so does dirt.
As with every decal, dirt get's under the edges, and could even do more harm than protection to the painting underneath.
Better have the bike repainted where needed in about 5 years.
And don't forget it's a bike, if you get it on the road it will get some scratches...

I got the Avery Nano Fusion on my bike and it's awesome.
I would recommend it to anyone.
You REALLY have to look for it to see it.
Great stuff!

I had mine covered prior to delivery and genuinely think it was the best thing I dd. if you ride in groups then it's a god send as I've seen the stone chops on friends bikes.

Agree it makes the paintwork look a bit dull but I haven't suffered any dirt on the edges after 1k miles and when it does it's only £200 to replace or change each panel individually if money is issue.

I have not removed mine yet. All your observations are the same as mine. I love mine, but the only problem i have is near the exhaust. I noticed a little bubbling due to the heat. How much did it cost you for materials and installing? Also, did you use a matte color for the CF front fender?

pizzadude2010 said:

I got the Avery Nano Fusion on my bike and it's awesome.
I would recommend it to anyone.
You REALLY have to look for it to see it.
Great stuff!

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Have you seen both ? Keen to know what the difference is. I bought the 3m stuff but have not put it on yet. I scratched the tail with a lazy right foot Sidi boot after fueling one day and so rushed out and had some mailed to me.

Was going to do it after first service in about a week.

Whats the difference with the Avery Nano Fusion compared to 3m ?

cheers

jimmymendoza said:

I have not removed mine yet. All your observations are the same as mine. I love mine, but the only problem i have is near the exhaust. I noticed a little bubbling due to the heat. How much did it cost you for materials and installing? Also, did you use a matte color for the CF front fender?

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It cost me $99 USD for the materials. The kit excluded the matt CF front fender cover. I performed the installation myself and it took me about 2.5 hours, thanks to an excellent explanation by a member of this forum.

bradp51 said:

scratched the tail with a lazy right foot Sidi boot after fueling one day

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Funny you should say that as I did exactly the same with a Dainese boot and I have the 3M Venture film on !!!

I always put the 3M kits from Tankslapper on my bikesq. Agreed you as the owner know where the mistakes are but I swear 99% of people who look at the bike wont see it. I'd rather have it on and protect the paint work. Especially around the tank as I personally don't like the look of tank protectors and the 3M does the job for me.

Gulf Coast said:

I always put the 3M kits from Tankslapper on my bikesq. Agreed you as the owner know where the mistakes are but I swear 99% of people who look at the bike wont see it. I'd rather have it on and protect the paint work. Especially around the tank as I personally don't like the look of tank protectors and the 3M does the job for me.

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Thanks Gulf Coast. So have you had any problems with paint discoloration ? What about the claim that it repairs itself in the sun ?

I actually have the DP Tank Protector over the 3M Venture Guard and it has really stuck down well.

Maybe I want more out of the product than can be reasonably expected.

CaliDuc said:

Thanks Gulf Coast. So have you had any problems with paint discoloration ? What about the claim that it repairs itself in the sun ?

I actually have the DP Tank Protector over the 3M Venture Guard and it has really stuck down well.

Maybe I want more out of the product than can be reasonably expected.

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I have never seen paint discoloration on 09 K1300S, 11 GSXR and now 12 1199. I also have not seen the stuff repair itself although I too have heard that if you use an alcohol based solution it sort of melts into itself?! My experience is that it nicks or dents but does provide a protection to the paint and is nearly invisible.

bradp51 said:

Have you seen both ? Keen to know what the difference is. I bought the 3m stuff but have not put it on yet. I scratched the tail with a lazy right foot Sidi boot after fueling one day and so rushed out and had some mailed to me.

Was going to do it after first service in about a week.

Whats the difference with the Avery Nano Fusion compared to 3m ?

cheers

Click to expand...

Yes I have seen both.
The Avery Nano has a nice smooth texture and you really have to look for it when its on.
I had mine professionally installed.
The guy had never worked with Avery Nano. He worked with 3m and then there was another brand he liked better than that he carried but I can't remember the name.
He didn't have a kit for either of them and I told him I wanted to order the Avery and have him install it.
After he applied it he said it's the nicest stuff he has worked with.
I know the 3m stuff is great and has a great reputation so I'm not knocking that product.
Just passing on my experience with what I have on mine.

Gulf Coast said:

I have never seen paint discoloration on 09 K1300S, 11 GSXR and now 12 1199. I also have not seen the stuff repair itself although I too have heard that if you use an alcohol based solution it sort of melts into itself?! My experience is that it nicks or dents but does provide a protection to the paint and is nearly invisible.

Click to expand...

Alcohol to remove the nicks in the venture firm ? Sounds triable, thanks very much for that one.