The carbon fiber tank cover for the BMW K1300R is Bestem's 100% carbon fiber lower tank side covers — pre-preg Toray carbon, autoclave-cured on matched-metal tooling, and sealed under a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat rated for roughly 3,000 hours of sun exposure. They fit 2009–2015 K1300R models and carry a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing.
Which carbon fiber tank cover fits the BMW K1300R?
For the K1300R platform (model years 2009–2015), the tank-cover upgrade is the BMW K1300R 100% Carbon Fiber Lower Tank Side Covers (SKU CBBM-K13R-SPN). These replace the painted factory panels flanking the fuel tank with full-carbon pieces molded from the OEM parts, so the lines, mounting points, and panel gaps match the bike as it left Berlin.
One transparency note: this SKU is a special-order item, built to order rather than pulled off the shelf. Most Bestem parts ship daily from our Atlanta, GA warehouse, but for this piece it's worth a quick call to confirm current lead time — our staff answers the phone live every business day.
Riding the earlier K1200R instead? There's a dedicated BMW K1200R Carbon Fiber Center Tank Cover Pad (SKU CBBM-K12R-TKC), also a special-order item. If you want a center pad for a K1300R, contact us and we'll confirm what's available for your model year.
Why upgrade the K1300R's tank panels to carbon fiber?
- Weight reduction where you can feel it. Tank panels sit high on the chassis. Swapping painted plastic or composite panels for pre-preg carbon trims grams from the top of the bike — modest on the scale, noticeable in how quickly the bike flicks side to side.
- No paint to chip. The K1300R's tank flanks take abuse from knees, zippers, and tank bags. A clear-coated carbon weave doesn't chip the way painted panels do.
- Stiffness and finish. Autoclave-cured pre-preg carbon is dimensionally stable — the weave you see on day one is the weave you see years later, with no warping or print-through.
- The look. On a naked bike like the K1300R, the tank area is always in view. Real carbon with a deep, consistent weave reads as hardware, not decoration.
How is Bestem carbon fiber made?
Every Bestem part starts as 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber — fabric pre-impregnated with a precisely measured resin content, the same material class used in aerospace structures. It's laid into matched-metal molds, then cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave. That process matters for three reasons:
- Consistent resin content. Pre-preg eliminates the resin-rich and resin-starved zones you get with hand-laid or wet-lay parts, which is where weight creep and weak spots come from.
- Autoclave compaction. Curing under pressure collapses voids between plies, producing a denser, stronger laminate than vacuum-bag or room-temperature cures.
- Metal-molded fitment. Matched-metal tooling holds tight dimensional tolerances, which is why Bestem covers drop onto factory mounting points without trimming or forcing.
This is the same 100% pre-preg, autoclave-cured construction that premium European carbon makers such as Ilmberger built their reputations on. Bestem uses that same technology and adds a proprietary UV-resistant coating on top of it. We've been manufacturing carbon fiber since 2005 — over 20 years — and we supply OEM carbon parts to car and motorcycle manufacturers, so this process runs at production grade, not garage scale.
Will a carbon fiber tank cover turn yellow in the sun?
It's the most common failure riders see on carbon bodywork: the clear coat ambers, clouds, and the weave underneath looks faded. Tank panels get the worst of it because they face the sky on every ride and every parking lot.
Bestem's answer is a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat engineered specifically to protect the carbon weave from sun-ray yellowing. It's rated for approximately 3,000 hours of UV exposure versus roughly 1,000 hours for standard OEM clear coat — about three times the protection before yellowing starts. Because of that coating, every Bestem carbon part carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing. That's a standing claim, and it's the single biggest reason riders choose Bestem for bodywork that lives in direct sunlight.
How do the K1300R tank side covers install?
Because each cover is molded from the OEM panel on matched-metal tooling, it follows the factory mounting points — no trimming, drilling, or shimming under normal circumstances. Most owners handle the swap with basic hand tools in under an hour. As with any bodywork, test-fit before final torque and start all fasteners before tightening any of them.
What other carbon parts complete the K1300R?
Tank covers are usually the first piece of a full carbon conversion. Parts that pair naturally on the K1300R:
- BMW K1300S / K1300R Carbon Fiber Heat Shield (SKU CBBM-K13S-HSD) — replaces the brushed-metal exhaust shield with matching weave.
- BMW K1200R / K1300R Carbon Fiber Windscreen (SKU CBBM-K13R-WSD) — the fly-screen area is the second most visible panel on the bike.
- BMW K1300R Carbon Fiber Fork Covers (SKU CBBM-K13R-FKC) — protects the fork tubes and cleans up the front end.
- BMW K1200R / K1300R 100% Carbon Fiber Belly Pan (SKU CBBM-K12R-BPN) — the biggest single visual change on a naked K-bike.
- BMW K1200S/R / K1300S/R Carbon Fiber Clutch Cover (SKU CBBM-K12S-CLC) — a small part that finishes the engine cases.
All of these are built to the same spec: 100% pre-preg Toray carbon, autoclave-cured, metal-molded, and covered by the lifetime warranty against UV yellowing. In-stock parts ship daily worldwide from our Atlanta, GA warehouse, and if you have a fitment question for your specific model year, call us — a real person picks up every business day.
FAQ
Do carbon fiber tank covers turn yellow over time?
Standard carbon with a basic clear coat often does — UV exposure ambers the resin surface, and tank panels get the most sun of any bodywork. Bestem's proprietary UV-resistant coating is rated for ~3,000 hours of UV exposure versus ~1,000 hours for standard OEM clear coat, and every Bestem part carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing.
Is the K1300R lower tank side cover in stock?
It's a special-order item, built to order. Most Bestem parts ship daily from the Atlanta, GA warehouse, but for this SKU we recommend calling to confirm the current lead time — our team answers the phone live every business day.
Will the K1300R tank covers fit my K1200R?
The lower tank side covers are tooled specifically for the K1300R (2009–2015). K1200R owners have their own options, including the carbon fiber center tank cover pad. If you're unsure about cross-fitment between the two generations, contact Bestem before ordering.
What's the difference between pre-preg and wet-lay carbon fiber?
Pre-preg carbon arrives from the material supplier with resin already impregnated at an exact ratio, then cures under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Wet-lay parts have resin brushed or poured on by hand and cure at room temperature. Pre-preg/autoclave construction is lighter, stronger, and more consistent — it's the aerospace process, and it's what Bestem uses on every part.
How much weight does a carbon tank cover actually save?
Exact savings depend on the panel, but pre-preg carbon covers typically come in well under the painted plastic panels they replace, with the added benefit of no paint film at all. On tank side covers the bigger wins are durability, stiffness, and the UV-stable finish — the grams saved are a bonus on top.