Motorcycles have always stood for more than just transport. They signify freedom, personality and emotion. Just as the bike itself showcases speed and intention, so does its color. As design requirements evolve, so must the chemistry behind visual expression. The recent two-wheeler styling show from Sun Chemical's Color Materials division, titled EXULT, explores how contemporary color trends, cultural shifts and pigment innovation are converging to shape the two-wheeler landscape.

The EXULT Concept

The EXULT styling program is structured around three chapters: Extreme Ambition, Ultimate Lifestyle and True Commitment. Each theme represents a different use case and emotional connection to two-wheeler ownership.

Extreme Ambition references the adrenaline-fueled culture of motorsport and performance biking. The color palette is defined by high chromatic strength, saturated colors and visual effects engineered for impact. Pure whites are paired with energetic reds, intense greens and electric pinks, developed for riders who embrace visibility, boundary-pushing and performance.

Ultimate Lifestyle captures riders who view their vehicle as an extension of self-expression. The palette is broader in tone, incorporating romantic earth tones, vintage whites, gold-infused finishes and color-shifting effects that change with viewing angles. These are typically associated with leisure and lifestyle biking, emphasizing individuality and sophistication.

True Commitment, in contrast, reflects the practical side of biking, especially in Asia-Pacific markets. This chapter considers motorcycles as daily tools of mobility. Color trends prioritize practicality, single-layer coating systems and tonal familiarity. The pigment systems are developed for durability, manufacturability and cost-efficiency while still allowing personal differentiation.

These three EXULT narratives not only provide a framework for color exploration but also offer insight into the factors influencing pigment selection and formulation strategies.

Color as Chemistry

At the core of any styling program is chemistry. The ability to deliver intense chroma, stable dispersion and visual effects under various environmental conditions lies in the development of next-generation pigments. Recent progress includes particle engineering, substrate treatment and chroma improvement.

High-definition effect pigments are a hallmark of the EXULT showcase. These pigments offer finer particle sizes and higher distinction of image without a coarse glitter effect. The high-chroma interference pigments are based on fine-fraction synthetic mica substrates, providing cleaner color travel and smoother finishes.

Another focus is the use of inorganic chemistries that deliver high opacity and good weatherability without sacrificing chroma. By combining advanced effect pigments with organic colorants, formulators can now reliably achieve high saturation in shades such as intense pinks and violets, which were previously difficult to stabilize for outdoor use.

Layering techniques also influence visual depth. Many dramatic shades rely on multilayer coatings with carefully balanced base and topcoats. However, there is also strong emphasis on single-layer options for more cost-sensitive markets, demonstrating the versatility of modern pigment technologies.

Regional Preferences

A highlight of the EXULT program is its global perspective. The styling show incorporates input from Asian, European and American teams, identifying both universal and regional color signals.

For example, the Extreme Ambition theme resonates strongly in Western markets, where motorcycles are typically used for leisure or lifestyle. Meanwhile, True Commitment reflects the functional needs of urban commuters in Asian markets, where motorcycles are a primary mode of transport. This requires a different set of priorities: pigments must be affordable, and styling must rely on less complex formulations.

Simplification Strategies

While the aesthetic range has expanded, formulation strategies are increasingly geared toward simplification. A key requirement in the two-wheeler industry is the relevance of monocoat systems that reduce application complexity and cost. These coatings consolidate base and effect layers, streamlining production. The True Commitment stylings demonstrate how such systems can still deliver strong visual results.

This approach requires pigments that perform across multiple functions: color saturation, visual effect, opacity and durability. Formulators are also using synergistic blends that combine small amounts of organic tints with high-performance effect pigments to achieve precise outcomes with fewer layers.

A key example is a golden interference white effect pigment, which shifts toward a bluish tone at the flop angle while showing a golden highlight at the face angle. This creates a unique look, especially in matte textures. The matte finish of titanium black using bluish-black effect pigments also helps enhance surface smoothness without yellowish undertones.

Beyond aesthetics, reducing the number of layers lowers VOC emissions, shortens curing times and simplifies quality control on the production line.

There is also growing interest in pigments that reduce energy absorption, such as near-infrared transparent blacks. These functional products help reduce surface heating, prolonging the lifespan of coated parts and improving user comfort. Multifunctional pigments—those that offer color, effect and performance benefit—are expected to play a larger role in future formulations.

Regulatory compliance is another critical factor. As environmental regulations tighten globally, pigment suppliers must ensure conformance with both international standards and regional adaptations. This demands traceable production practices and specialized expertise.

A Broader Design Space

What EXULT ultimately demonstrates is that the color space for motorcycle applications is broader than ever—in hue and in context. Advances in pigment science are expanding design possibilities, allowing designers to express cultural identities and emotional narratives while meeting performance and sustainability demands.

For the formulator, this means more control, more choices and fewer trade-offs. High-chroma shades are now more stable outdoors. Subtle sparkles can enhance rather than dominate. Even cost-effective coatings can achieve premium visual appeal through careful pigment blending.

As coatings technology evolves and consumer expectations shift, the ability to translate emotional intent into durable, manufacturable surface designs will remain essential to success in the mobility sector.

The EXULT program offers both a snapshot of where we are and a cue for where we’re going—toward precision, performance and, above all, expression.

Learn more about the latest developments in pigments for coatings applications.