If you’re a motorcycle lover, you understand that your bike is more than just a means of transportation—it’s an extension of yourself. It deserves to be treated with special care and handled with the utmost respect.
When the time comes to wrap your motorcycle in vinyl, the expense should be the least of your concerns. But still, you may ask: how much does it cost to wrap a motorcycle?
An array of factors contributes to the cost of wrapping a bike, including the job’s size and complexity and the materials used. The expected cost of a full wrap is anywhere from $1500 to $4000.
Continue reading to learn more about wrapping a motorcycle before you transform the look of your ride in a way that will turn heads wherever you go.
There are many things to consider, so without any further ado, let’s jump straight into it.
Why Would You Wrap A Motorcycle?
A paint wrap is an easy way to protect your motorcycle. The clear film protects your bike from scratches, weather damage, UV damage, road grime, and chemical damage.
It will also keep the paint looking new by protecting it from oxidation and rust. So why would you want to wrap your motorcycle?
There are a few good reasons:
- To Protect The Original Paint: The paint on a bike is already extremely fragile, so covering it with a layer of vinyl or fabric can be a great way to help keep it in good condition.
- To Add Color: If you have an older bike that’s lost some of its shine and you don’t have the money or time to restore it, wrapping it could be an easy way to get back some of that shine without having to undergo major repairs (which can cost anywhere from $1000-$10,000!).
- Customization: Adding colors and patterns will make your ride stand out from everyone else’s—and if there’s one thing I know about motorcyclists, they love their individuality and flair! After all, what better way than with something as simple as wrapping?
Cost Of Wrapping A Motorcycle
It’s an affordable way to give your bike a new look and increase its value.
The average cost of motorcycle wrapping starts at around $1500 and can range up to $4,000 or more depending on the type of vinyl used, color choices, graphics design services, and other factors.
The cost will also vary depending on the size of your bike (e.g., full-sized vs. small), which quality of the wrap you want, etc.
The size of your bike largely determines the cost of a paint wrap, but it also depends on the type of paint wrap you choose.
Most shops can handle motorcycles less than 100 cubic feet (or 7 feet high and 6 feet wide). If your motorcycle exceeds these dimensions, expect to pay more for wrapping services.
The cost also varies depending on what kind of adhesives you want to use—some adhesives are more expensive than others.
To get an idea of what this all boils down to in terms of practical numbers: A small-sized motorcycle with no additional features could be wrapped entirely for as little as $1,500 at most shops; larger bikes or those with additional features would likely have higher price tags attached to them.
Types Of Motorcycle Wraps And Price
Wraps are available in many varieties, but all of them are classified into four distinct categories.
They are:
- Partial Wraps
- Full Vinyl Wraps
- Chrome Wraps
- Gold And Silver Wraps
This section will take a look at them in detail, so you can understand which one will be better suited for you.
1. Partial Wraps
A partial motorcycle wrap is a small piece of the bike that’s wrapped, such as the tank or seat. Partial wraps can be done for any part of your bike, but they’re most common around areas like the gas tank.
The gas tank is an area where you can affix many graphics without covering up too much of your bike’s original design and color scheme.
As these flame-like designs and cuttings do not cost too much, you can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $500 for them. Partial wraps look cool but do not enter the protective wrap category.
2. Full Vinyl Wraps
Full vinyl wraps for motorcycles are a great way to add style and personality, but they also protect your bike’s paint job and body panels from damage.
They can be expensive, though, so it’s important to consider several factors before deciding on one.
When talking about the costs of full vinyl wraps, the cost can be multiple times more than what has to be spent on a partial wrap. You can expect to pay between $1000 and $5000 for completely wrapping your motorcycle.
This may seem steep to some, but you should not forget that you are not only protecting your motorcycle’s paint but are also breathing fresh life into it. I don’t know about you, but I think that it is a worthy investment.
3. Chrome Wraps
Chrome wraps are more expensive than paint wraps (because they take longer to install).
But they’re also more durable and resistant to scratching, fading, and other types of damage. The difference in cost is worth it if you want your bike to look pristine for years to come.
As with any vinyl wrap project, you should choose a professional installer who will take care not only of the installation process but also of choosing the right material for your motorcycle.
The minimum expected price for chrome wraps is around $1500, and the upper range can go for more than $5000.
4. Gold And Silver Wraps
As a rule, gold and silver wraps are more expensive than other colors. The high prices are due to their high cost of production and because they aren’t as durable as other types of vinyl wraps.
While gold/silver wraps look striking and unique, they’re not the best option if you’re looking for something that will last a long time.
They have the potential to scratch easily, fade over time, or discolor from exposure to sunlight (especially in tropical climates).
The price is anywhere between $2 to $8 per square foot. So, you can have a rough idea by measuring your bike. If it is a famous model, I am sure you can find an exact number online.
Price Chart For The Most Popular Wrap Types
Choice Of Material: | Price/Sq. ft: |
Vinyl Matte | $2.00 – $3.50 |
Vinyl Gloss | $1.50 – $3.50 |
Chrome | $8 |
Carbon Fibre | $3.00 – $7.00 |
Gold And Silver | $2 – $8 |
Options For Finishes
Several popular finishes are available for paint wraps. The most popular finish is matte, which is the least shiny and best at hiding small scratches or scuffs.
The next closest to this is satin, which has slightly more shine than matte but isn’t very glossy.
Glossy finishes are also available on some wraps (though not all), and these have the highest shine out of all three types of finishes.
Chrome and gold wraps have their unique finish options as well, such as chrome being available in both bare metal (a metallic sheen) and chrome effects (which include various shades of silver).
There are also a few different types of colored, partial wraps: solid colors like red or black, camouflage patterns, and even carbon fiber!
The cost for each type depends on how much coverage you need, so let’s look at an example: if you want an entire tank wrap done in matte black from end to end, that will cost around $600-$700 at most reputable shops (assuming no additional labor fees).
On the other hand, if your bike needs only one side painted with this material, it may only cost about $300 total because there would be no extra labor involved—just about two hours’ worth of prep work before painting begins.”
Factors That Affect The Cost Of A Wrap
If you have surveyed the market, you may already be aware that there are a lot of wrap qualities out there.
You can find the same colored or design wrap at multiple price points, which begs the question, which wrap should you choose?
Well, there are two things to be on the lookout for which will help you differentiate between a high and low-quality wrap:
- If you are looking for a textured wrap, check to see if the design is not faded. If it is, then that means it is made of low-quality materials.
- Check to see if the sheet is not too thin, which is another indication of a low-quality wrap.
These factors can greatly affect the cost of a wrap. You should be aware of them as they can also potentially save you from being sold a low-quality wrap at full price.
Make Sure To Choose The Best Service Possible
Get a recommendation from a friend or search for reviews online. You should also make sure that the company you choose is reputable. Does their work look good? Are the prices reasonable?
Ask for examples of their previous work and get pictures if possible.
A good place to start is with YouTube videos since there are many tutorials on how to wrap a motorcycle by different companies worldwide. You’ll be able to see several examples at once and compare them easily!
You may also want to ask how long it’ll take before they can start wrapping your bike, though this depends on how busy they are and what kind of budget you have in mind (more expensive wraps tend to not only last longer but also offer more protection against scratches).
Finally, it’s always important when buying anything new like this that both parties agree on an acceptable price range ahead of time, so no one feels cheated later down the line – just ask upfront what kind of pricing structure works best for them!
Do It Yourself
There is no denying that wrapping a motorcycle is not easy. But professionals tend to exaggerate the difficulty level only to increase the price.
Well, I have some good news for you. You can wrap your motorcycle yourself, and it will not take too much effort.
There are tutorials available on the internet that guides you through every step. You can save hundreds of dollars by choosing this path.
Conclusion
If you are considering a vinyl wrap, you have many options. You can choose the color or colors and whether you want to add graphics and/or text.
If you want to preserve your motorcycle’s original paint job, then a single-colored wrap is an excellent option to keep it in showroom condition for many years.
Remember that the cost of wrapping your bike includes prep time and installation time. The quality of the materials used also has an impact on how long your wrap lasts and how good it looks throughout its life span.
Although the question of how much does it cost to wrap a motorcycle has a simple answer, I hope that the additional information may have been helpful to you.
I am a passionate blogger who wants to spread my interest in motorcycles. Fueled by my love for motorcycles, I provide readers with valuable insights and updates on motorcycles’ informative and engaging topics and document the latest happenings in the biking community. Despite my hectic schedule, I can provide these blogs, which involve regular trips to the gym and sports like mountain biking and BMX. I am usually available most of the time, so be sure to join me on my journey of motorcycles and bikes! I appreciate a quiet and simple life and am always eager to interact with my readers to provide helpful information on my blog site.