The best carbon fiber parts for the MV Agusta Rivale 800 are direct-fit replacements that shave weight without disturbing the bike's sharp factory lines: a carbon front fender, flyscreen, rear splash guard, clutch cover, and engine cover. For parts that actually last, they should be built from 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber, autoclave-cured in matched-metal molds — the exact process Bestem uses on every Rivale piece it makes.
What are the best carbon fiber parts for the MV Agusta Rivale 800?
The Rivale 800 is a hypermotard built around a 798 cc triple making roughly 125 hp, with a claimed dry weight near 178 kg. It is already light, so the best carbon upgrades are the ones that trim grams in the right places and match the MV's exotic intent. These are the five that make the most sense:
- Front fender — the carbon fiber front fender for the 2013 Rivale 800 is usually the first swap. It replaces the stock plastic piece and cuts unsprung weight at the fork, which the rider feels in steering response. This is a special-order part, built to order.
- Windscreen / flyscreen — the carbon flyscreen for the 2013 Rivale 800 tidies airflow over the gauge cluster and sharpens the front-end profile.
- Rear splash guard — the carbon rear splash guard fits both the Rivale 800 and the Dragster 800. It hugs the rear tire and keeps road grime and water off the shock and linkage — a functional part, not just cosmetic.
- Clutch cover — the carbon clutch cover for the 2014 Rivale 800 protects the clutch case and adds a race-paddock look to the right side of the engine. Special order.
- Engine cover — the carbon engine cover for the 2014 Rivale 800 completes the case-protection set. Special order as well.
Why upgrade the Rivale to carbon fiber at all?
Three reasons: weight, stiffness, and finish. Carbon fiber has a far higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than the ABS plastic and cast pieces it replaces, so each swap removes grams without giving up rigidity. On a bike that MV styled like a concept machine, a visible carbon weave also looks correct — the Rivale was designed with exotic materials in mind, and plastic fairing pieces are the one place the factory compromised for cost.
How are the best Rivale carbon parts made?
Construction method is what separates real carbon parts from decorative ones. Every Bestem Rivale part is made from 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber — fabric with resin content precisely controlled at the factory — then cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave inside matched-metal tooling. That is an aerospace-grade process: no hand-laid wet-lay, no resin infusion, no excess resin pooling in corners.
This matters in two ways. First, autoclave curing forces out air voids, so the laminate is denser and stronger for its weight. Second, metal molds hold shape repeatably, so mounting holes land where the OEM mounts expect them. This is the same autoclave plus 100% pre-preg construction that premium European carbon makers such as Ilmberger built their reputation on — Bestem uses that same technology, then adds a superior UV-resistant coating on top.
Do carbon fiber motorcycle parts turn yellow in the sun?
Most do — sun-ray (UV) yellowing is the single most common defect riders see on carbon fiber. The clear coat ambers and clouds over time, and on cheaper parts it can start within a season or two of regular outdoor parking. This is where Bestem separates itself:
Bestem's proprietary UV-resistant clear coat is rated to roughly 3,000 hours of UV exposure — about 3× the ~1,000 hours a standard OEM clear coat lasts — and every part carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing.
On a naked-leaning bike like the Rivale, where the fender, flyscreen, and covers sit in direct sunlight with no fairing to hide behind, that coating is doing real work.
How hard is carbon fiber installation on the Rivale?
All five parts above are bolt-on replacements that use the factory mounting points. The front fender and flyscreen are quick garage jobs with basic hand tools; the splash guard and engine covers take a bit more patience but no cutting, drilling, or trimming. Because the parts come out of matched-metal molds rather than hand lay-up, hole placement is consistent from part to part — you are not fighting a fender that wants to sit crooked on the fork.
Why buy Rivale carbon parts from Bestem?
Bestem has been manufacturing carbon fiber since 2005 — over 20 years — and supplies OEM carbon parts to car and motorcycle manufacturers, not just the aftermarket. In-stock parts ship from Bestem's Atlanta, GA warehouse daily, worldwide, and live phone support is available every business day if you want to confirm fitment for your specific model year before ordering. Customer satisfaction is the company's stated top priority, and the lifetime UV-yellowing warranty is how that shows up in the product.
FAQ
Do carbon fiber fenders and fairings turn yellow over time?
Standard carbon parts often do — UV exposure ambers the clear coat, typically after roughly 1,000 hours of sun exposure on OEM-level coatings. Bestem parts use a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat rated to about 3,000 hours, roughly three times longer, and are backed by a lifetime warranty against UV yellowing.
Which carbon parts fit a 2013 vs a 2014 MV Agusta Rivale 800?
The carbon front fender and windscreen/flyscreen are listed for the 2013 Rivale 800; the clutch cover and engine cover are listed for 2014. The rear splash guard fits both the Rivale 800 and the Dragster 800. For other model years, call Bestem during business hours — staff answer the phone and can confirm fitment.
Are Bestem carbon parts pre-preg or wet-lay?
Pre-preg, exclusively. Every part is 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber, autoclave-cured in matched-metal molds — the same aerospace-grade construction premium European makers use — never hand-laid, wet-lay, or resin-infused.
Are the special-order Rivale parts still available?
Yes. The front fender, clutch cover, and engine cover are special-order items, meaning they are built to order rather than pulled off the shelf. The rear splash guard and flyscreen ship from stock in Atlanta.
Where do Bestem orders ship from?
All in-stock parts ship from Bestem's warehouse in Atlanta, GA, daily, to customers worldwide.