CF guards break down from repeated small hits (the resin). To the eye it looks fine but the cloth can actually flex. I've pulled them off to find a dented pipe. Also, they stiffen the pipe when clamped on, so the header kinks in a hit, and is very difficult to fix. The only real sound way to implement a pipe guard is to integrate it to the skid plate or mount it to the frame. For whats available now, that means Hyde Combo. The R&R totally sucks on the older bikes but a Combo for an '11 fits great on a '12 and the holes even line up perfect with the factory frame mounts! I made a custom rear mount that captures between the linkage pivot and frame tube and I can have it off in seconds for cleaning or an oil change, so easy I didn't even bother adding a hole. Foam keeps the mud under control. I think that when you hit something, it both flexes a little and slides off rather than bites in, so less impact energy is transfered. I still have the original pipe on my '07, riding in serious rocks. I have never been able to say that with carbon fiber guards. Given the choice I'd just buy a $40 Moose bend it yourself alloy guard over a CF guard.
