It's because both you old-timers are always scrubbing on the **** things. Surprised that you both haven't rubbed the chrome off everything else down to bare metal.
Old Timer Huh. I'll have you know I still have parts that get so hard a feral cat couldn't scratch them. Sadly, it's my arteries. Besides, red motorcycles tend to be cleaner Brian. The higher speeds dislodge dirt particles that naturally adhere to the more subdued colors.....