Carbon Fibre.

[Peter Henry]

Not wishing to sound like one of the great unwashed! :oops: But am I some kind of odd ball in that carbon fibre bits and bobs do not really inspire me? I contradict myself to some degree when I mention that my first little treat for Lolita has been a very well made and shaped hugger in said material which though made in Italy arrived from the Uk next day! This purchase was made with a practical outlook,that is to protect rear shocker and underneath of rear of bike. This is now fitted and does look good.
However there is almost no end to the parts you can get for bikes but apart from the qualities of said material,is there some other point I am missing?
Please feel free to enlighten me! :? 8)

[Carsick]

It's really light and like most things that are originally used to enhance performance in some way, it has become a fashion thing.
I personally don't find it that appealling, but if used well (or more specifically, used properly) then it can look nice.

[BURNER]

CF is fine in certain applications but carbon look in unforgiveable like on the dash of my SV

[K]

Most definately a fashion accessory for me! :roll:

Yeah weight saving yadda yadda yadda, racing applications blah blah blah. I think the few bits I've got look good on my Black SV. 8)

'Carbon Look' is however, both 'bad' and 'wrong'... I'd even go as far as to say it's Badong! (Let's see what sad people get that movie quote!)

[Carsick]

'Carbon Look' is however, both 'bad' and 'wrong'... I'd even go as far as to say it's Badong! (Let's see what sad people get that movie quote!)
I haven't see that film.
Damn!
Ok, I may have done.

[Wiltshire7]

i chose a carbon fibre tank protector as a normal plastic one would have slowed me down too much \:D/

[Godikus]

'Carbon Look' is however, both 'bad' and 'wrong'... I'd even go as far as to say it's Badong! (Let's see what sad people get that movie quote!)

Kung Pow :wink: ..... love that film

My mate just got a wee honda cityfly 125. second hand. came with some unbelievable carbon look bits. the entire handlebars for example... madness. it has now been dubed ****tyfly acordingly

[Jelster]

Hmmmm Carbon....... Can never have too much carbon on a bike, but then, it has been said I have a fettish for the stuff :lol:

.

[Shooter]

My bike came loaded with CF and it sure seems to attract a crowd. I like the contrast.

One thing I notice is the god awful sound a stone makes as it flys thru between the wheels and the front CF guard or the rear CF hugger.

Freaked me the first few times but getting used to it now.

[Ceri JC]

Peter, no I agree with you, carbon doesn't do much for me either.

A marginal weight saving for a lot more shekels. Lay off the pies and cakes for the same effect, but much cheaper! :wink:

I can see the practical application on race bikes, but on road bikes if most people are honest, it's largely an aesthetic thing. Also, in places where it's likely to become scuffed (eg heel plates) it tends to lose its nice appearence quicker than stock bits. The only carbon I have on mine is the tax disk holder, because I was toying with the idea of putting it somewhere it'd affect the unsprung weight (very very slightly, I know).

I think a lot of the 'tart's carbon', like fuel cap covers that actually stick over existing ones, thereby adding to weight rather than saving it, and 'carbon look' stuff is fairly tasteless. I don't actually like the pattern of carbon much, colour matched stuff looks better IMO, but then, I've never been into race rep looks. In some applications, such as bar ends, surely carbon is inferior to stock parts (eg would cause more bar vibes, less protection in a low speed spill etc.)

[Jay]

Tart's Carbon :D

I like the CF stuff even the CF look stuff (that doesn't ever look much like the real thing). Think it's because it's basically just another colour option now and I don't much like the anodised primary colour look and quite like the patterned two tone effect you get with even dodgy CF look gear. There's certainly no illusions about performance gains!!

[riktherider]

carbon fibre only realy suits certain bikes, and in proportion as well. i would rather ahve say a colour match or stainless parts on my sv, but on a 916, the carbon parts look very nice indeed. carbon does seem to look vey good on ducatis, it could be something to do with the contrast with the red. the other down side of carbon fibre is the cost :shock: :(
i would rather pay less for a standard plastic component, or just carbon look.

[northwind]

I hate the stuff... one of the first things I did when I got mine was remove all the carbon look junk off it. Still got a carbon fibre yoke cover, because I can't find a non-carbon one, and the twins I had had carbon cans, but it just doesn't appeal to me at all.

IMO of course :) I have to admit some bikes do suit it very nicely- there's a TL1000S with cf bodywork in streetfighters this month that looks rather rude. But by and large it's expensive and hard to keep looking nice, and once it's marked it's knackered.

[Stan the Man]

I'm not really into Carbon Rash, but Cloggsy's Art Hugger looks very tasty :D
I see Busters now offer a CF front mudguard with mesh vents for the SV - £95 :shock:

[Peter Henry]

Thank goodness! I thought that I was really missing something and therefore was less of a man for it! I have some satin heel plates zooming there way to me with I feel tastey Ducati name and logo cut outs,(the seller was happy to drop the price to deal directly and so cutting out a certain internet sales facility err hum!)
I have a brilliantly named R'send....number plate lifter upper bracket from Demon Bikes also in transit. I will know from tomorrow morning if I will want the Termi orchestra as meeting a guy for a hoon in the mountains ,he has just collected his bike after having the kit fitted. Must say that the novel sound of standard has not worn off yet and I do actually like it! If I could just find someone that makes a exhaust heat shield,(the one that sits just behind riders leg) in satin I would be well happy.Looks like everyone and his Uncle are busy making them in their garden sheds out of carbon! :lol: 8)

[Shooter]

Carbon fibre has incredible ability not to absorb and transmit heat.
My cans and the heat shields over the exhaust pipes are easily touchable after a ride ( and Ducatis can run fairly hot especially around town).

Maybe an asset in Summer but in the Winter a lack of radiated heat around ones legs might be a bit missed when sitting at the lights.

[northwind]

Oh yeah, it's very useful and practical stuff in the right application. Just that that application may not be heel plates and mudguards on motorbikes :)

[K]

It's a little like Titainium's poorer brother in the fashion stakes. :wink:

There are many reasons, applications and statistics that give both a place on your motorbike... but for most reasons other than hardcore track use - it's a fashion accessory. :roll:

Not that I'm now trying to decide whether to go for Anodised Black or Titainium rearsets for Pug... depending on final colour choice. No. Never. Ok... so I'm a tart. :twisted:

[Jelster]

Maybe an asset in Summer but in the Winter a lack of radiated heat around ones legs might be a bit missed when sitting at the lights.

They don't do Winter in Malaga :lol:

.

[Peter Henry]

Well noted Steve! Winter is definitely not allowed in my part of the world. it's a bitch but we struggle through! :lol: BTW must admit the carbon hugger does not dissplease me on Lolita! :shock: 8)

[Ceri JC]

I may just have to eat my words- I saw a new Duc 999R thise weekend and the (stock) carbon all over it was very tastefully done and despite there being a hell of a lot of it, it definately wasn't overkill.

Maybe if the bike is designed to be carbon-clad, it doesn't look so bad.

[Cloggsy]

Cloggsy's Art Hugger looks very tasty :D

Thanks mate ;) :notworthy: