Yes — carbon fiber side panels for the Yamaha YZF-R1S are a direct bolt-on upgrade. The R1S (2016–2018) is built on the 2015+ YZF-R1 platform and shares its side bodywork with the standard R1, so Bestem's 100% carbon fiber side panels for the 2015–2019 R1 fit the R1S with no trimming, drilling, or modification.
Will 2015+ Yamaha R1 side panels fit the YZF-R1S?
They will. Yamaha created the R1S as a more affordable version of the 2015+ R1, and the cost reductions were mechanical — engine internals and component specification — not cosmetic. The fairing and side-panel bodywork is shared between the two bikes. Any panel molded for the 2015–2019 R1 bolts onto the R1S using the same mounting points, rubber grommets, and fasteners.
Which carbon fiber side panels are available for the R1S?
Bestem manufactures both sections of the R1's side bodywork in 100% carbon fiber, so you can replace individual factory ABS panels or convert the full flank at once:
- Yamaha R1 2015+ 100% Carbon Fiber Side Panels Upper (Twill) — the upper panel section along the top edge of the fairing.
- Yamaha R1 2015+ 100% Carbon Fiber Side Panels 2 (Twill) — the secondary side-panel section, completing the side conversion.
Both are twill weave and both are 100% carbon fiber through and through — no fiberglass core with a cosmetic carbon skin, and no printed carbon-look overlay.
How are Bestem carbon fiber side panels constructed?
Every Bestem panel is laid up from 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber and cured in an autoclave inside matched-metal molds — an aerospace-grade process, not hand-laid wet-lay or resin infusion. 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.
Pre-preg cloth arrives with resin already impregnated at a controlled ratio, so there is no hand-brushed resin pooling and no infusion dry spots. Autoclave pressure consolidates the laminate and drives out voids, which is why the panels come out thin, stiff, and dimensionally repeatable. Matched-metal tooling is also what makes fitment exact: the mounting tabs land on the R1S's factory points because the mold — not a technician's hand — sets the shape.
100% pre-preg Toray carbon. Autoclave-cured. Metal-molded. ~3,000-hour UV-resistant clear coat. Lifetime warranty against sun-ray yellowing.
Do carbon fiber side panels turn yellow in the sun?
It's the single most common complaint riders have about carbon bodywork — and it's a coating failure, not a carbon failure. UV radiation ambers and clouds the clear coat, and on a standard clear coat that yellowing can start showing after roughly 1,000 hours of UV exposure. Side panels sit high on the bike's flanks and take direct sun every time the bike is parked outside.
Bestem applies a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat rated to approximately 3,000 hours of UV exposure — about three times the protection of a standard or OEM clear coat. Because of that coating, every Bestem carbon panel carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray yellowing. If the finish ambers from UV exposure, the warranty covers it.
How difficult is installation on the R1S?
Each panel is a direct replacement for the stock ABS piece. Remove the factory fasteners, transfer the rubber grommets, and bolt the carbon panel onto the original mounting points — no drilling, trimming, or extra bracketry. A few practical notes:
- Reuse the OEM grommets and well nuts; they're sized to isolate the panel from vibration.
- Snug fasteners rather than over-torquing them — carbon is stiff, and crushing the laminate around a mounting hole gains you nothing.
- If you're fitting both the upper and Side Panels 2 sections, install both loosely before final tightening so the panel gaps align evenly.
What other carbon parts complete the R1S conversion?
Side panels pair naturally with the rest of the 2015+ R1 carbon line — all twill weave, all with the same UV-resistant coating, so the finish matches across the bike:
- Carbon Fiber Front Fender — replaces the stock fender and drops unsprung-adjacent weight at the front end.
- Left Side ECU Panel Cover — cleans up the exposed ECU area on the left flank.
- Small Engine Cover — carries the carbon theme down to the engine cases.
Why order from Bestem?
Bestem has been manufacturing carbon fiber since 2005 — more than 20 years — and supplies OEM carbon parts to car and motorcycle manufacturers, the same tooling discipline that sits behind the aftermarket line. All panels are stocked in Bestem's Atlanta, GA warehouse and ship daily worldwide, and live phone support is available every business day if you want to confirm fitment before ordering.