ZLT Graphic Kit Review – Dirt Rider Magazine

In this day and age, graphic kits are as common as knobby tires and $1,000 titanium exhaust systems. One can just choose off-the-shelf units or do a little
customization if desired, depending on the company of choice, that is. The Dirt Rider Long Haul 2011 KTM 450 SX-F was pimped out with not only performance
and handling upgrades, it also received a face-lift with a custom graphic kit from ZLT. Over the years we’ve discovered the longevity of a graphic kit is
determined by many factors—a jockey’s riding style, how often they make contact with the ground, the process by which the kit was applied and the quality of
the kit/material. Nothing’s worse than dropping a few hundred bucks on stickers only to see them flopping in the wind or lying on the track after one ride.ZLT has been at the business for a long time and offers a variety of graphic, sticker and number kits. Our kit retailed for $180, which is par for any full
graphic kit on the market these days. The kit included radiator shrouds, rear fender, front fender, fork protector and numbers/side panels. Installing the
kit can be a little tricky depending on the bike. Make certain the plastics are very clean and free of any oil or grit for maximum adhesion. Also having
clean hands, a hair dryer and/or a heat gun isn’t a bad idea either. ZLT graphics are made from 16 to 18 mil material with subsurface printing to protect the
imaging. The kit went on fairly easily except a few mounting holes were a bit off and we had to do a little stretching and trimming during installation.With the graphics installed, we put well over 40 hours on the Katoom and many trips through the wash cycle. Except for a few scuffs, tires marks and a few wear spots, the kit held up very well. The adhesive did its job and only a few spots lifted over time, though the graphics never peeled or pulled back. The longer they were on, the more durable they seemed to get. We suggest letting the plastics sit a few days so the adhesive can attain full adhesion before going riding. This will help extend the life of an expensive graphic kit. There are a lot of companies that offer custom graphics, ZLT came through with our project bike and after six months, the kit still looked sharp and appeared to be sticking around for the long haul. —Jimmy Lewis

www.zltmxid.com
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