VA,
I've had my OEM sidesteps for 9 months now. Have driven the X on medium-duty off-roads in the Canadian bush, and have gone through half a winter with sand, rocks, etc. on some icy roads. These things are meant to handle the punishment. Not one scratch or blemish on the finish! I have no difficulty recommending them.
I think the Manik vs. OEM decision is based purely on personal taste, i.e., how much chrome/SS do you want? I rather liked the black sidesteps because they added a hint of aggressive styling without yelling out: "Look at me, I'm an SUV!". (I had already decided that I wouldn't want the minivanish running boards, although there's nothing wrong with that...). I think they marry well with the other black/dark grey accessories I have on my Nighthawk Pearl X.
Saw a Nighthawk X with Maniks just the other day as we were driving along the highway; my wife was first to remark that the sidesteps really stuck out. Again, personal taste. Yours will be as good as anyone else's.
I've had my OEM sidesteps for 9 months now. Have driven the X on medium-duty off-roads in the Canadian bush, and have gone through half a winter with sand, rocks, etc. on some icy roads. These things are meant to handle the punishment. Not one scratch or blemish on the finish! I have no difficulty recommending them.
I think the Manik vs. OEM decision is based purely on personal taste, i.e., how much chrome/SS do you want? I rather liked the black sidesteps because they added a hint of aggressive styling without yelling out: "Look at me, I'm an SUV!". (I had already decided that I wouldn't want the minivanish running boards, although there's nothing wrong with that...). I think they marry well with the other black/dark grey accessories I have on my Nighthawk Pearl X.
Saw a Nighthawk X with Maniks just the other day as we were driving along the highway; my wife was first to remark that the sidesteps really stuck out. Again, personal taste. Yours will be as good as anyone else's.