Ducati Monster Forum

Okay, I said I really wanted a black engine cowl (belly pan) and couldn't find one, so naturally, as soon as someone points out a source, I waffle.  I have a line on a very nice carbon belly pan, and even at Monster parts, they are only like $70 more than black.  I'm inclined to keep everything gloss, since only my arrows are carbon now, and I've seen some pretty wide variations in color in carbon products.  What does everyone here think would look best on my gloss black Monster??  Black belly pan or carbon?  This is one of my most important "LOVE MY Bike" Monster mods when it comes to asthetics.  I chose Arrows sound over Zard looks and don't regret it, but this cowl doesn't make noise.  Advice??

all things being equal.... gloss black

Carbon, but thats just because i have a gloss black monster too.

Aside from that reason, the fiber glass would probably be destroyed by the rocks and pebbles i ride in.

Carbon will hold up better on gravel?  I have to ride a few miles of gravel to get to and from the house off the highway. I don't remember many problems with my GSXR, because of the color it may not have showed the dings down there as much.  Can't remember.

Not really. They are both farily strong carbonfiber does win in the weight department though. it just depends on how many layers you have. the type of resin you use, the weave pattern of hte carbon fiber etc. Carbon fiber looks cool though!

A friend of mine (girl) told me in very strict words that parts of the same color must NOT have different texture (CF?). Ergo; if they have different texture they should be of different color. I agree and will point to the "fact" (?) that CF pipes look better on red bikes than on gloss black bikes.

I've got a gloss black belly pan and can see now that I probably should have gone with CF to match the cans, but that's because I have a red bike and have green light on different texture because of the different color. I'm thinking about switching to CF side panels, CF short tail and partially painted CF front fender and then the belly pan has to be changed as well.

I'm not sure I make any sense here, in my head it's all clear though ;)

PS to simplify: black gloss for you [thumbsup]

I had a very similar concern.  I wasn't sure If I'd like carbon on my gloss black monster so I tried some carbon fiber heel guards.   Didn't like them so I went back to stock.  IMO go with black.

New mirrors are still on? [laugh] ;) Just checking if you're behaving yourself [evil]

They're still there and proudly displaying my elbows.  Thank you for asking.  [thumbsup] They're not perfect but I really like the look of them over stock.  I'm considering going with some risers for comfort so maybe I'll see my elbows and my shoulders.  ;D

I would say it would depend on everything else that is or will be on your bike.  I have a Black and Tang S2R and I went with the carbon belly pan.  It looked better when I added CF belt covers and such.  If you are not gonna go with the other carbon parts, I would go with black.  Before all of the other add ons I aquired, the CF pan kind of annoyed me. 

I know carbon is all the rage, but to be honest, carbon doesn't excite me all that much.  I doubt the weight is gong to make my bike all that much faster either and I'm not racing it...yet.  I have also seen color variations in carbon, and depending on when you put it all on, I have seen it fade and look crappy.

I did go with CF arrows because they were black.  Not solid gloss black, but they are pretty black for carbon.  I guess if the carbon belly pan was the same tone, it might look okay, but I think I would need something out front to balance it out.  I don't really feel the need to put anymore carbon anywhere else, and if I was to spend money, it would be on levers, clip-ons, ohlins, probably in that order.  I like the short chop (85mm one not the DP chop) and would probably be more inclined to do that if it WASN'T carbon.  Since it is, I will go with the standard chop and smoked signal lenses and amber bulbs for my next mod.  I wish I had a dry clutch, and I wish I had adjustable front shocks, and I MAY black anodize my my passenger pegs, but other than that, I really like my 800. :)  I just wish it had a red frame. LOL!

Dont anodize your passenger pegs. they WILL fade purple in no time. I hear there is a process called hard anodizing though. Powdercoat is your best option. Durable and wont fade.
As for carbon fiber turning yellow. It is caused by UV rays and can be prevented if you use a uv resistant resin i believe. Id only go carbon if you can get quality carbon parts, such as spareshack. I had a lot of cheap carbon on my other bike and they were all yellowed and pinholed and were not shiny at all. it sucked but it matched the bike though.

If you only have  carbon belly pan, it might look werid, but if you add some other pieces, such as side panels or fenders its gonna look awesome.

I don't think of CF as black, more grey.

I have a gloss black m1000s and think the carbon (which there is a heap of these days) looks great....

however, I'm moving the bike to be majority carbon...

so..

if you're happy with black gloss - stay that way...

you can aways paint cf of course! (devil's advocate)