The Bestem carbon fiber exhaust collector guard is a direct bolt-on replacement for the factory plastic collector cover on the Ducati Monster 696, 796, 1100, and 1100 EVO. It is made from 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber, autoclave-cured in matched-metal molds, and finished with a proprietary UV-resistant clear coat backed by a lifetime warranty against sun-ray yellowing.
What does the exhaust collector guard do on a Ducati Monster?
On the 696/796/1100 platform, the 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust routes both header pipes into a collector mounted low, beneath the engine cases. The collector guard — sometimes called the collector cover — shrouds that junction. It shields the rider's boots and lower legs from radiant heat and tidies up the view of the under-engine pipework. The stock piece is molded plastic: functional, but visually flat and prone to dulling with age and repeated heat cycles.
Which Monster models and years does it fit?
- Monster 696 — 2008–2014
- Monster 796 — 2010–2014
- Monster 1100 — 2009–2010
- Monster 1100 EVO — 2011–2013
All four models share the same collector geometry and mounting tabs, so a single part covers the full range. It bolts to the factory mounting points with the stock hardware — no drilling, no trimming, no fabrication.
Why upgrade to carbon fiber?
Two reasons: weight and construction quality. The Bestem guard is built from 100% pre-preg Toray carbon fiber — the same aerospace-grade feedstock used in motorsport and OEM programs — cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave inside matched-metal tooling. Metal molds don't flex the way hand-laid or wet-lay tooling does, so every part comes out with consistent wall thickness, a crisp edge profile, and mounting holes that land exactly where the factory tabs 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 process and adds a superior UV-resistant coating on top. Compared with wet-lay or resin-infused parts, pre-preg carbon achieves a higher fiber-to-resin ratio, which means less resin weight and a stiffer, lighter finished part at a fraction of the stock plastic cover's mass.
Will the carbon fiber turn yellow in the sun?
UV yellowing is the single most common defect riders see on carbon fiber parts: the clear coat ambers and clouds, and the weave underneath loses its contrast. It is also the problem Bestem engineered its coating to solve. The proprietary UV-resistant clear coat on this collector guard is rated to approximately 3,000 hours of UV exposure versus roughly 1,000 hours for standard OEM clear coat — about three times longer before any sun-ray yellowing appears. Because of that coating, the part carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing. The under-engine location of this guard means it sees less direct sun than a fairing, but heat cycling and road grime make a durable clear coat just as important here.
Should I choose gloss or matte?
Both versions are identical underneath — same pre-preg Toray layup, same autoclave cure, same UV coating and lifetime anti-yellowing warranty. The difference is purely the topcoat sheen:
- Ducati Monster 696 796 1100 1100 EVO Carbon Fiber Exhaust Collector Guard (gloss) — SKU CBDU-696-ECC. A deep, high-gloss clear that shows off the twill weave and matches other gloss carbon or blacked-out trim.
- Ducati Monster 696 796 1100 1100 EVO Carbon Fiber Exhaust Collector Guard, Matte Finish — SKU CBDU-696-ECC-F. A low-sheen finish that pairs well with matte black bodywork and the darker factory color schemes on the 1100 EVO and Diesel-edition bikes.
How long does installation take?
Plan on 15 to 20 minutes with basic hand tools. Remove the stock plastic cover from its mounting tabs, transfer the factory hardware, and bolt the carbon guard in place. Work on a cool exhaust, and confirm the collector hardware is torqued and the guard sits clear of the pipe before the first ride. No tuning, no sealant, no permanent modification.
Why buy from Bestem USA?
Bestem has been manufacturing carbon fiber since 2005 — over 20 years of production experience — and supplies OEM carbon parts to car and motorcycle manufacturers, not just the aftermarket. That track record shows in fitment accuracy and finish consistency. Every part is stocked in Bestem's Atlanta, GA warehouse and ships daily, worldwide. Live phone support is available every business day, so a real person answers fitment questions before you order.
FAQ
Does this collector guard replace the stock plastic cover directly?
Yes. It is a direct bolt-on replacement that uses the factory mounting tabs and stock hardware on the Monster 696, 796, 1100, and 1100 EVO. No cutting, drilling, or additional brackets are required.
Does it fit the Monster 1100 EVO?
Yes. The 1100 EVO (2011–2013) shares its collector geometry with the Monster 1100, 696, and 796, and this guard fits all four models across their full production runs (696: 2008–2014, 796: 2010–2014, 1100: 2009–2010).
Will carbon fiber hold up this close to the exhaust?
Yes. Pre-preg, autoclave-cured carbon fiber is engineered for elevated-temperature environments and handles collector-area heat at least as well as the factory plastic cover it replaces. Install it on a cool exhaust and verify clearance to the pipe, as you would with any exhaust-area component.
How long before carbon fiber turns yellow in the sun?
On parts with standard OEM-style clear coat, UV yellowing typically begins after roughly 1,000 hours of sun exposure. Bestem's proprietary UV-resistant coating is rated to approximately 3,000 hours — about three times longer — and the part carries a lifetime warranty against sun-ray (UV) yellowing.
Is the matte version made differently from the gloss version?
No. Both use the identical 100% pre-preg Toray carbon construction, autoclave cure, and matched-metal molding. Only the topcoat sheen differs — gloss (SKU CBDU-696-ECC) versus matte (SKU CBDU-696-ECC-F) — and both carry the same UV coating and lifetime anti-yellowing warranty.