Carbon Fiber Side Panels for Harley Low Rider ST

Bestem's carbon fiber side panels for the 2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST (FXLRST) are 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber, autoclave-cured in matched-metal molds, and finished with a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat rated to roughly 3,000 hours of sun exposure — about three times the ~1,000-hour rating of a standard OEM clear coat. They are direct replacements for the stock side covers, sold as individual left and right pieces.

Which carbon fiber side panels fit the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST?

The Low Rider ST uses two distinct side panels, and Bestem molds each one specifically for this bike — not as a trimmed universal blank:

Both are laid in a 2×2 twill weave with a deep gloss finish, so the left and right panels read as a matched pair once installed. Because each panel is molded on its own side-specific tooling, edge profiles and mounting points follow the factory part.

How are Bestem's Low Rider ST side panels made?

Construction is where these panels differ from most of the aftermarket. Every Bestem panel starts as 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber — the same Japanese aerospace-grade carbon used in motorsport and aviation — with the resin already impregnated into the weave at a controlled ratio. The laid-up panel is then cured in an autoclave under heat and pressure inside matched-metal tooling.

That process matters for three practical reasons:

Consistent wall thickness and no resin pooling. Pre-preg eliminates the dry spots and excess resin common in hand-laid, wet-lay, or resin-infused parts.
Accurate fitment. Metal molds hold dimensional tolerance cure after cure, so bolt holes and edges land where the factory panel put them.
A crisp, uniform weave. Autoclave pressure compacts the laminate, which is why the twill pattern sits flat and glossy instead of wavy.

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 and adds a superior UV-resistant coating on top of it — which leads directly to the question most riders ask next.

Do carbon fiber side panels turn yellow in the sun?

Yes — sun-ray (UV) yellowing is the single most common defect riders see on carbon fiber bodywork. The clear coat ambers and clouds over time, and on a side panel that sits in direct sunlight every ride, it shows fast. This is the failure mode Bestem engineered its coating specifically to prevent.

Bestem's proprietary UV-resistant clear coat is rated to approximately 3,000 hours of UV exposure, versus roughly 1,000 hours for a standard OEM carbon clear coat — about three times longer before yellowing begins. Because of that coating, these side panels carry a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing. If the finish yellows from sun exposure, the part is covered.

Standard carbon clear coats start ambering around the 1,000-hour mark of UV exposure. Bestem's coating holds the weave clear for roughly 3,000 hours — and it's backed by a lifetime warranty against UV yellowing.

How do the side panels install on the Low Rider ST?

The panels are direct replacements for the stock covers and mount to the factory points, so installation is a straightforward hand-tools job:

Remove the factory side panel by releasing its fasteners and rubber-grommet mounts.
Transfer any reusable factory hardware or grommets to the carbon panel.
Set the carbon panel in place and start all fasteners before snugging any of them down — this lets the panel seat evenly.
Tighten by hand. Carbon does not need high torque at bodywork fasteners; firm and even is correct.

Most riders swap both sides in well under an hour. No trimming, drilling, or modification is required — that is the point of metal-molded tooling.

What other carbon parts complete the Low Rider ST?

The side panels are usually the second or third piece riders add. If you are building out the full carbon set for the 2023 ST, these pieces match in weave and finish:

Carbon Fiber Front Fender (SKU CBHD-LR23-FFD-T) — a significant visible weight reduction at the front of the bike.
Carbon Fiber Tank Pad (SKU CBHD-LR23-TPD-T) — protects the tank and ties the cockpit into the carbon theme.
Carbon Fiber Chain Guard (SKU CBHD-LR23-CGD-T) — replaces the factory guard with a piece that matches the side panels.

All of these parts are stocked in Bestem's Atlanta, GA warehouse and ship daily, worldwide.

Why buy Low Rider ST carbon from Bestem?

Bestem has been manufacturing carbon fiber since 2005 — over 20 years — and supplies OEM carbon fiber parts to car and motorcycle manufacturers, not just the aftermarket. That manufacturing depth is why the company can hold tolerances on matched-metal tooling, control its own pre-preg layup, and stand behind a proprietary UV coating with a lifetime warranty. All parts ship from in-house stock in Atlanta, and live phone support is available every business day if you have a fitment question before you order.

FAQ

Do carbon fiber side panels for the Low Rider ST turn yellow?

Unprotected carbon clear coats typically begin yellowing after roughly 1,000 hours of UV exposure. Bestem's proprietary UV-resistant coating is rated to about 3,000 hours — three times longer — and every panel carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing.

Are these side panels wet-lay or pre-preg carbon?

They are 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber, autoclave-cured in matched-metal molds. Bestem does not use wet-lay, hand-laid, or resin-infused construction on these parts.

Will these panels fit my 2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST?

Yes. The left side panel and right side panel are each molded specifically for the 2023 Low Rider ST (FXLRST) and mount to the factory points with no modification.

How long does it take to install carbon side panels on a Low Rider ST?

Most riders complete both sides in under an hour with basic hand tools. The panels reuse the factory mounting points and hardware, so the job is removal, hardware transfer, and refit.

What warranty covers Bestem carbon side panels?

Bestem carbon parts carry a lifetime warranty against UV (sun-ray) yellowing, backed by the proprietary clear coat's ~3,000-hour UV resistance rating.