I'm really not sure about the gold forks, can't make up my mind as to whether they're classy or cheap and tacky ! Anyone covered them ? If so how and what with ? Pics ?
On all my motorcycles, I've always protected the front forks with "clear" vinyl wrap, so as to prevent stone/ rock chips. When I go to sell it, I remove the wrap, and 99% of the time the forks look "brand new/ no chips/ fresh off the showroom floor".
If you don't like the XR's "gold" forks, you can wrap them in virtually any color you want, I also believe, there is imitation carbon fiber wrap as well.
As for wrapping the front forks on my XR, this time I took it to a professional because I didn't want to take the time, and do it myself.