Anyone who has experience with Motoport's riding gear (pants and jackets), please provide your opinion on their product. In particular, I'm interested to know about fit, comfort, quality, and customer service.
Yes...I've read just about everything on their website but I would like to hear specific details from some folks who actually own Motoport gear. Thanks.
I'm curious as well -- one of these days I'll be able to afford it smile.gif
They have a new 1-piece mesh Kevlar riding suit that looks particularly interesting. (
link)
I met with the owner (Wayne) a few months ago, to be fitted for a pair of Air Mesh Kevlar pants and jacket. I'm nearing the end of my 8 week waiting period, so hopefully I should receive them soon.
I obviously don't have any experience with their gear just yet, but I must have spent a year of researching different types of mesh gear before I read a review that totally convinced me to buy the Motoport gear. The link below is the best review I have seen yet, although I went with the more open mesh kevlar material instead of the stretch kevlar shown in the review (the stretch kevlar is much softer/pliable and still vents well, but according to Wayne is doesn't vent well enough for SoCal temps so it's better suited for cooler summer climates).
Here ya go:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread....hlight=motoporttgm65, Jun 6 2006, 04:04 PMAnyone who has experience with Motoport's riding gear (pants and jackets), please provide your opinion on their product. In particular, I'm interested to know about fit, comfort, quality, and customer service.
Yes...I've read just about everything on their website but I would like to hear specific details from some folks who actually own Motoport gear. Thanks.
Mike ( mq105 ) should be chiming in now. He has a two piece Kevlar suit that he wore at the TexasMac Meet recently. He loves it. beer.gif
I commute/ride year-round. I use both a 'stich and a Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar. Winter sees the 'stich, anything above 75 degrees and I'm commuting in the kevlar. For warm weather commuting, I can't imagine anything better. beer.gif
My experience mirrors NVR2L8. I also met with Wayne last year -- great guy. Fit and finish on my suit is superb. Customer service was commendable, too. I had them sew a collar on the jacket -- it felt better with than without. I also got the liners, essential for wet weather issues, which is about the only downside to the set-up. If you don't have the liner accessible and you get caught in a storm, you're getting wet. Then again, being caught in stalled traffic during a hot and humid summer commute wearing a 'stich sucks, so it's a tradeoff.
Motoport suits aren't cheap. But, if you can swing the cost, I recommend the suit. fing02.gif
I have the GP jacket and Ultra2 pants. From a practical stand point they are fantastic. You can layer for all weather conditions. I've rode from 17 degrees to 103 degrees. Fit and finish are great. Just throw them into a large washing machine and they look brand new. My only complaint is that I have to take the promise of pertection at face value. Leather you see working everytime a MotoGP rider goes down. But what would be the results of a get off like that if wearing Kevlar. If you believe the web site Kevlar may even be better than leather. I just want to see a video of a guy walking away with a big smile after sliding to a stop from 100mph wearing stretch kevlar. So I have it, love it, but hope never to put it to the test.
sportrider, Jun 6 2006, 07:07 PMI commute/ride year-round. I use both a 'stich and a Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar. Winter sees the 'stich, anything above 75 degrees and I'm commuting in the kevlar. For warm weather commuting, I can't imagine anything better. beer.gif
How doable would the Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar suit be in the winter, with the liner in it? Too cold? Is that why you kept the 'stich?
Marty is correct. I like my stretch kevlar. It's hot for commuting in the FL summer (with work clothes that you don't want to sweat into) but cooler than leather. Everything I've read here describes my experience: Wayne is talkative and helpful, wait time is long (8-10 wks), a bit pricey, the web site isn't well organized, the gear and service are better than the site. I like that I can throw this stuff in the washing machine, and that it doesn't weaken it if it gets rained on (as does leather). I'm glad I have it.
My cousin has a pair of their pants he wears everyday to commute on his Aprilia Scooter...he loves them.
hiker816, Jun 6 2006, 06:11 PMHow doable would the Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar suit be in the winter, with the liner in it?� Too cold?� Is that why you kept the 'stich?
With the rain liner and the cold weather quilted liner installed, I can wear it all winter, easily into 30 degree temps. Only downsides are the associated velcro closures -- just isn't as convenient as the one zip 'stich.
I kept the 'stich because it is a great suit too, and is all hi-viz. It just isn't all that comfortable in hot weather. I could get by with it if I could dress down, but I have to wear a suit to work most days, and the Motoport Mesh makes that option quite comfortable. beer.gif
NVR2L8, Jun 6 2006, 06:34 PMI met with the owner (Wayne) a few months ago, to be fitted for a pair of Air Mesh Kevlar pants and jacket. I'm nearing the end of my 8 week waiting period, so hopefully I should receive them soon.
I obviously don't have any experience with their gear just yet, but I must have spent a year of researching different types of mesh gear before I read a review that totally convinced me to buy the Motoport gear. The link below is the best review I have seen yet, although I went with the more open mesh kevlar material instead of the stretch kevlar shown in the review (the stretch kevlar is much softer/pliable and still vents well, but according to Wayne is doesn't vent well enough for SoCal temps so it's better suited for cooler summer climates).
Here ya go:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread....hlight=motoport
That review was EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks!
I've also came across this "WebBikeworld" comparison between the Aerostich suit and Motoport gear for those who are interested:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motoport/I don't know about this Motoport gear, but I recently purchased convertable Kevlar pants which turn int0 shorts & have had several pairs of jeans & a jean jacket made by Giali, an Italian company. They all take CE armor, & Tony & Rosemary who distribute the items from NC, for N. America, are extremely cool. You can contact them at armoredrider.com or 1-866-527-6987.
have rode through Mohave desert, in the summer, with full leathers & a busted cooling system & that was hot. I also went down in New Mexico at 45 MPH, my leg was trapped & the bike dragged me until it came to a halt. I walked away without a scratch but some messed-up fairings & a busted radiator hose. This was on an '86 VFR 700, back in 1990. Yes, leather is good, but I think the jeans are decent, especially with the CE armor, and they look casual.
I also recently purchased a Joe Rocket cooling vest. It is filled with gel or some polymer. You dunkit in under water in the sink & then it cools you all day long, I imagine. I have yet to try this one yet, but I am optomistic about it as air conditioning up top. The cooling vest cost $80 from Cyclegear. The jeans are $110, the convertable pants are $150, & the jean jacket is $200...good stuff!
Any one out there have opinions on how the Motoport (Cycleport) Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket compares to the Aerostitch Roadcrafter? These two garments seem to be very competitive and comparably priced. From what I've read, it seems the Motoport might be better in warm weather. However, since your personal metabolism might make a big difference in perception, I wonder if in fact the Motoport really is better in hot and humid climates. Also, what about the general fit, wearability, and construction quality? It's a lot of money to spend for either jacket and unfortunately you can't go to a local dealer and check them out side-by-side. I think feedback here would be very helpful to tgm65. I personally have worn Aerostitch for the last 11 years and have been very satisfied, but wonder if Motoport has produced a worthy competitor.
I am curious too. From word of mouth they are the best, but who knows, speak up if you do! FWIW I got the most bang for my buck on the following items which were on closeout or on sale:
Teknic Chicane Leather Jackert- $82 ($299 orig)
Teknic Violator Pro Gloves- $35 ($129 org)
Fuel Leather/Textile Pants- $119 ($199 orig)
Oxtar TCS CE Boots- $120 ($239 orig)
Shoei X-11 Porto- $299 ($599 orig)
sportrider, Jun 6 2006, 09:14 PMWith the rain liner and the cold weather quilted liner installed, I can wear it all winter, easily into 30 degree temps. Only downsides are the associated velcro closures -- just isn't as convenient as the one zip 'stich.
Hey sportrider, could you explain the associated velcro closures a bit more? Do you have the one piece suit, or a separate jacket and pants? Are the velcro closures on the suit itself, or just the liner? The suit itself has a zipper like the 'stich right?
Sorry for the 20 questions, and thanks in advance. beer.gif
hiker816, Jun 7 2006, 06:48 PMHey sportrider, could you explain the associated velcro closures a bit more?� Do you have the one piece suit, or a separate jacket and pants?� Are the velcro closures on the suit itself, or just the liner?� The suit itself has a zipper like the 'stich right?
Sorry for the 20 questions, and thanks in advance.�� beer.gif
It's the two piece, Air Mesh Kevlar. Top zips to the bottom, which I find quite convenient at stops (remove top, keep on pants, makes wearing just bikeshorts a non-issue), it also makes it possible to run my earbud cord easily to the satellite radio (with the 'stich I have to go out a hip opening). But, that makes two zips on the pants, one zip on the jacket, totalling one more zip than the 'stich, because the 'stich has a top to bottom zipper and a second zip on the other leg. The extra zip adds about 10 seconds to put the Motoport on. No big deal.
Now, the velcro is another issue. The wind/waterproof liners are separate garments. They are themselves lined and seemingly well designed. The liners loop closure into each air mesh kevlar pants leg, and then zip into the suit at the waist of the pants. The jacket liner loops into the sleeve and zips into an interior zipper in the front of the jacket. Once the liners are zipped and looped in, they are in. Essentially, you take the suit on and off just like a 'stich.
However, like the kevlar pants themselves, each of the liner leg openings has a velcro flap closure up the side over the liner leg zippers. So does the jacket up front. That makes for three rather lengthy flaps with velcro closures. While the system seems to perform well (ie, block wind/water), it actually makes for what seems like an acre of velcro. In my experience, if you're donning the Motoport with the liners, the velcro flaps makes getting into and out of the system measurably slower than the 'stich. Plus side is that the closures do seem to block wind/water. You can also add in the quilted liner -- it zips into the jacket.
It's a tradeoff -- greater comfort in hot temps (Air Mesh) vs. ease of dress ('stich), greater versatility in hot/cold temps (Motoport) vs. having a foul weather system at the ready without having to remember to zip in or bring the liners ('stich). Your choice, pick your poison. I'm pretty fortunate to have and use both.
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