Why so many carbon fiber parts ?

[Darksavior]

I wanted to change out a few parts on my gt to black, but all I'm finding is carbon fiber. Why is this so dominate in the market?
Any suggestions on where to get black parts ? I dont want to paint because I'm worried it might nor turn out good and if I have separate parts I can just swap out if I get bored of the look.
Thanks in advance guys

 

[Claviger]

You'll likely find FRP parts, usually by the same manufacturers that do carbon. It's black gel coated typically, intended for paint.

Carbon is popular, that's why you find it so much now. Often it costs more to buy FRP and get it pro painted than just slap bare carbon on, which is a big part of it.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Also the weight savings using carbon vs OEM. That appeals to more than a few members on here.

 

[RazMan]

Yep, and we all know that our Rockets could do with losing a few more grams for performance reasons

 

[turbotom1052]

Also the weight savings using carbon vs OEM. That appeals to more than a few members on here.

Not sure there is much of a weight savings as many of the available carbon fiber parts are replacements for OEM parts that are made of plastic. Me thinks the carbon craze is mostly esthetics.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Not sure there is much of a weight savings as many of the available carbon fiber parts are replacements for OEM parts that are made of plastic. Me thinks the carbon craze is mostly esthetics.

Since I'm not a big fan of the Carbon replacement parts (although some replacement parts look pretty decent) I really have no idea. Just going by the posts about the weight savings by other members. It does seem meniscal though. If you replace a lot of items there may be a pound (ounce?) or more savings.

 

[Claviger]

Depends on what gets replaced.

Carbon Front fender on the RIIIR is an 11lb reduction.
Carbon Front fender on my Z H2 was a 0.5lb gain.

The 2.3 rockets had a ton of unnecessary metal parts that were easy to swap for CF parts and shave weight. The 2g is likely not in the same situation, and on most sport bikes CF is a weight gain.

There are other considerations, like, paint wear. OEM paint is largely crap these days and easy to scratch with minimal clear coat thickness for paint correction. CF parts don't have that issue.

Even with autoclave formed CF parts, the part should be heavier than the injection molded counterpart, by definition. So as a general rule, if it's plastic is purely aesthetic or wear resistance to replace with CF.

Mufasa weighed ~680lbs fully fueled in its final form and a large part of the reduction was CF F/R fairings, side covers, brackets, etc.