For this edition of Classic Ink, we are going to take a look back at some of the awesome graphics available for your ride in 1996.
1996 was a fantastic year for “Factory Replica” graphics. Every one of these is totally badass with the possible exception of those funky pumpkin-colored KTMs. I ran these N-Style Team Suzuki graphics on my RM and of course, had a set of the 100% 1-800-Collect graphics for my CR250R. At the time I hated the stock purple KXs and this Factory Effex Team Kawasaki look was at least 200% better looking than the stock machine. The Cross County Suzuki graphics are a bit boring but pretty much all these still look good even today. Photo Credit Motocross Action
The state of aftermarket graphics circa 1985
When I first got into moto in the early 1980s custom graphics were not a thing. Even one-off works bikes rarely deviated from a simple logo or manufacturer name on the tank. Back then, the most we could do to customize our ride was to add a pair of blue or red grips and plaster our rear fender with a dozen random Scott, Bell Ray, and Back Off decals. Even adding a number plate background and numbers was often a bit of an art project. Some companies like Ceet Racing offered replacement seat covers, but they were OEM replacements designed to look like the originals.
Perhaps I am chowing my “factory” bias here, but I don’t really love any of these Honda offerings for 1986. The early to mid-nineties were nothing if not unsubtle and these are certainly a testament to that. Of all of these, the Ceet Honda Team, MXA, and FMF graphics are probably my favorites, but I would not have ponied up my hard-earned Benjamins for any of these in 1996 or today. Photo Credit Motocross Action
With the stock KX going all-in with purple in 1996 it is clear most of the graphic teams were looking to add that to their design. Of all of these, I think I like the Thousand Oaks Kawasaki graphics the best. Both the Ceet designs and the fairly understated N-Style graphics aren’t too bad either. The Werks, Factory Concepts, Stiffie, and Factory Effex, however, can stay in the time capsule. Photo Credit Motocross Action
In the late eighties, however, some new options started to become available. Plastic companies like Maier and Acerbis began offering replacement bodywork in bold colors and old standbys like Ceet Racing introduced new seat cover designs featuring tiger prints, spider webs, and assorted stripes in all manner of outlandish colors. Riders loved these new choices and the aftermarket industry exploded with all manner of ways to change the look of your new ride.
I would love to know what the designer was smoking when he penned these Factory Effex RM graphics for 1996. These graphics make the stock 1992 RM’s look like an exercise in restraint by comparison. Of these others, I dig these Technosel graphics which are a classy ode to the Suzukis of the mid to late eighties. The FMF and Pro Circuit graphics aren’t too bad either, but I would probably have stuck with the stock RM look over any of these in 1996. Photo Credit Motocross Action
This is the year of Yamaha’s big move to blue and several of these built off the new YZ logo and look. For my money, I think the Ceet Racing YZ Team Look, Pro Circuit, and MXA YZ Graphics did it best. For me, the Technosel, Werks, and Stiffe combos are a miss, but I could live with the Ceet Gridlock in a pinch. Factory Effex is once again taking to eleven and I’m sure they had plenty of takers for that level of boldness in 1996. Photo Credit Motocross Action
By the mid-nineties, the aftermarket graphic industry was in full swing with companies like N-Style, Factory Effex, Stiffie, MXA, Werx, and Pro’s Choice joining OG companies like 100% and Ceet. These new companies offered everything from OEM graphic replacements to complete kits to change the look of your ride. Even the factory teams got in on this trend, introducing unique color and graphic packages that looked nothing like the CR, KX, RM, or YZ you would find on the showroom floor. Some of these looks were awesome and some were just plain outlandish, but regardless of your taste, the aftermarket graphic industry had a look just for you.
