Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar - First Impressions

[justjoe]

Here is the run down. I wanted a suit that offered superior protection and was comfortable during the summer, which lasts from February to December where I live. I ruled out leather because the only way it would work would be to perforate it so much that it wouldn't be effective.

I currently own a BMW Venting Machine jacket and a Belstaff Challenger jacket with Pioneer pants. Both of these manufacturers’ products are good but limited. No good protection from the venting machine and the Belstaff product is very hot, not to be used over 70F degrees for me.

So I started searching again. I had read about the Motoport product before but passed because of the cost. I also considered the Aerostich but was afraid of the heat factor. From all the reading on websites, webbikeworld and other reviews, I finally decided to spend the money and buy the Air Mesh Kevlar pants and jacket with the Goretex liners and the new Quad Armor.

I called and talked to Wayne Boyer, proprietor of Motoport, before the purchase. He was a wealth of information. Even though I called 15 minutes before their closing time he spent as much time as I needed in explaining his products, the armor, material and comparing them to other products. I was very impressed with his knowledge and his customer service. He knew the products that I currently owned and listed their good points and bad points and we left the conversation with him telling me that at least the products I owned were not total junk but left room for improvement. He could have easily bashed their products.

After our conversation, I had my wife help me take measurements as described on the website. I placed my order online like Wayne advised. There was one question regarding a measurement and they began their work. Within 10 days the product was shipped. I was kind of apprehensive because I cannot buy things off the shelf that fit. That worry was quickly dashed when I received the product.

Upon arrival I was excited to get it out of the box and try it on. The fit was perfect out of the box. I did not have to adjust armor placement at all. The quality is first rate. I inspected all of the seams for loose stiching and there wasn't even a thread out of place. I was extremely happy and my wife was even happy about this purchase.

There is armor everywhere in this gear. I was slightly worried about the fit because the armor made the suit uncomfortable. The instructions say to give an hour in the saddle so the armor will conform to your body. I didn't have time to wear it that long until today. When I suited up and took off I was hoping that it would conform soon because I was slightly uncomfortable. But the armor started to feel "right" within that our time frame. All was good in the universe.

The weather today was good for a test. High was in the mid ‘80s, lows in the mid '60s. The day started incredibly foggy. That heavy fog where the moisture just appears everywhere (even inside the helmet, it seeped in through the vents). I found that this gear is indeed meshy. I found where there wasn't airflow and where it was the best. When I was wet and it was still cool I was a little cold. But as the temp increased and I dried up (pretty quickly after the sun was blazing) the suit was efficient at eliminating heat. I will reserve judgment for the hottest days until summer really gets underway, like at the end of March.

All in all, I am very happy with the product and the service that I have received from Motoport. I look forward to sending the suit back to them to get it altered as I lose more weight.

Take care

[edl]

It really does seem to be some impressive gear.If I ever spring for the big bucks this will be what I purchase,Although I think you could spend a little more on a couple other brands.I've not seen anything with the armour these suits have.Don't forget to let us know how you like it when it gets really hot.

[Kanf]

Motorsport gear is AWESOME...I have met Wayne a few times, most recently he was at he local BMW charter meeting last Tuesday and brought a bunch of his gear with him.

This stuff is VERY IMPRESIVE...Great quality and fantastic protection and light weight.

As soon as the weather clears up enough I will be riding up to his shop here in the San Diego area for measurements for his GP2 suit. We are lucky enough that he is local.

Wayne is great and as you said...he is just a wealth of info and very easy to work with.

Great post Joe

[Kanf]

Originally Posted by edlk1200

It really does seem to be some impressive gear.If I ever spring for the big bucks this will be what I purchase,Although I think you could spend a little more on a couple other brands.I've not seen anything with the armour these suits have.Don't forget to let us know how you like it when it gets really hot.

as for pricing...his gear is actually priced much better than some of the other well known leather gear for full suits.

[justjoe]

Originally Posted by Kanf

as for pricing...his gear is actually priced much better than some of the other well know leather gear for full suits.

Agreed. I would never ever buy a full leather suit. It just doesn't work with the miserable heat. Some people can deal with it, I cannot. I hate to say I would rather ride without gear than with leather during July and August. As a commuter, I cannot afford to go without.

Originally Posted by edlk1200

Don't forget to let us know how you like it when it gets really hot.

Absolutely. This is the main reason for buying the gear. I will repost my thoughts in a month when summer is finally upon the lowlanders, home of the flat/straights.

[dpscott]

Welcome to the CyclePort kevlar air mesh fan club. I've been a fan for over 3 years now.

[Muddy1]

Originally Posted by dpscott

Welcome to the CyclePort kevlar air mesh fan club. I've been a fan for over 3 years now.

Yeah, they have loooong zippers!

[dpscott]

Originally Posted by Muddy1

Yeah, they have loooong zippers!

And there are good reasons for that too!!!

Thanks Randy!

[Kneedragger]

You realize, Joe, now you have two options:

1. Forget about losing that 40 lbs.
2. Ride with a new suit that's way too big.

[Kanf]

I asked Wayne about this last week and he said it isn't a problem to take the suits in if you loose weight. I was worried about the same issue but he assured me it's not a problem.

Originally Posted by Kneedragger

You realize, Joe, now you have two options:

1. Forget about losing that 40 lbs.
2. Ride with a new suit that's way too big.

[justjoe]

Originally Posted by Kanf

I asked Wayne about this last week and he said it isn't a problem to take the suits in if you loose weight. I was worried about the same issue but he assured me it's not a problem.

One of the reasons I bought today. These suits are tailorable. Taking seams in is the easy part, adding to them is not!

[2001concours]

How much did the suit go for?

I have been sniffing around Motoport for several years. I commute 105 miles a day on one of my bikes in the slow SoCal traffic, and my Aerostich is getting really long in the tooth, so I might be able to rationalize the purchase of a good quality mesh suit that I could also use for touring, so I would have to get the rain liner too.

[justjoe]

Originally Posted by 2001concours

How much did the suit go for?

Jacket $399 - Goretex liner +insulation $189
Pants $289 - Goretex liner without insulation $99

I added some options. Zipper $29, Quad armor upgrade $99 for jacket and $99 for pants.

Motoport website

[Miles_Miller]

Joe,

Great write-up/report on the Motoport gear.

My wife and I, figured you'd like to know this, are literally living, breathing examples of the overall goodness of this gear!

Our first set of Motorport suits lasted five years. It would have lasted longer, just that the red in the suits faded into a kind of pink! <g>

The second set is going into it's 7th year - both suits are black this go-round.

The air-mesh is new since we received our Motoport gear, but living on the opposite end of the country from where you are, we love the stretch-kevlar material here in the Northwest. It's a wide weave, and even though black, flows an amazing amount of air in the summer. For winter, we zip in the gortex, windproof liners.

The amazing thing about our 12 years with Wayne Boyer's products is that we've never needed a repair of any kind. It's that good, stout, 60 percent shoellar (sp?) armour. The stretch kevlar is so soft and pliant that you don't need to protect the finish of the bikes! Zippers are layered over with the material.

We talk about getting new Motoport suits, but you know what? Every spring we take out the armour, throw the suits in the washing machine and they come out looking absolutely new!

Is it for everybody? Naw, if your fashion concious, it's (the Ultra Kevlar suit) is a bit dowdy; and, it's relatively heavy gear.

But this is a great small business in the moto arena. And from the looks of it, they're quality control has just not slipped an inch!

Good luck with your gear, Joe. Looking forward to follow-up discussions.

Miles

[2001concours]

Well crap. I just got off the phone with Wayne at Motoport.

Damn bastard. He was so helpful I now have even less excuses to not get a Motoport mesh kevlar suit from him.

He is willing to come in on Saturday so I can get custom measured and fit checked.

Also, that bastard, he told me that due to the Euro increasing 45% against the US dollar, the price for the mesh that comes from Switzerland will increase in the near future.

Lastly, the website. I have been confused in the past as the site shows various items on "sale", including mesh gear. He told me that the sale items are either discontinues or just random items off the side that are not really any discount than normal price.

So, now I have to deal with:
Helpful owner
Helpful owner who will come in on Saturdays with a day notice
Helpful owner who has a product that will increase in cost in the near future
Helpful owner who seems to be very interested in making my commute safer

Bastard. I guess he will get my money instead of Andy Goldfine at Aerostich.

Now the only thing to agonize over, besides how to pay for it, is the color. Most likely will go for black or gray with lots of extra reflective material.

Paul

[justjoe]

Hey Miles,

That is great news. To have gear that lasts 7 years will bring the cost based on usage down dramatically. It is not suprising to me that the gear has lasted so long considering the quality that I have noticed. I am very happy. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Paul,

'grats. I know you are going to like the gear. You will get a truly custom suit at a great price. I like the black but went with the gray because I felt black might be a tad hotter than the gray.

Wayne is a wealth of information. If your conversation went anything like mine, you walked away with a better understanding of why gear works and why it fails. He talked about his conversations with folks who have wrecked their bikes and came to him for new gear. Analyzing the failures has given him a good sense of where to make his products better. I was very impressed to say the least.

I was also very impressed by his comments to me regarding making a product that makes people safer. He was genuine in his desire to make great gear. First class in my book.

Alrighty then, enough butt kissing. Time to put some gear to use!

[2001concours]

I have found that Aerostich suits last me around 5-8 years before I beat the hell out of them, my current Roadcrafter 1 piece has about 75K miles on it, all the zippers have been repaired once or twice, but now are all failing. The crotch leaks at the slightest rain, as the right leg zipper does not close all the way in the crotch, the black has faded it a dirty grey from the sun, all the velcro doesn't work anymore either. I have a FirstGear Pilot leather jacket and touring pants that are 15 years old and look good, but have been repaired once already. Fieldsheer mesh gear lasts less, only 3-5 years of hot weather riding. Had some Joe Rocket gear once, it lasted less than a season.

Guess I will just go into credit card debt to get this suit in time for summer riding here in SoCal. Surface temps on the 405 in Orange County and LA during rush hours can easily get over 110 for several days on end.

Paul

[wrigman]

I'm glad to see another happy Motoport owner!
I went through the same process as you did. I live in So.Cal where it's riding season year round. I was getting tired of comming home a ball of sweat every day in the summer. I used a Olmpia AST with Aerostich road crafter pants in the winter/spring and Olympia air mesh jacket and Firstgear mesh pants in the summer. Not the moat protective gear in the world.(the summer stuff, and the AST)
I wanted something I could use year round(ONE SUIT). I looked everywhere. I almost bought some Revit gear. Good stuff for sure, but NOT as good as the Motoport stretch Kevlar ultraII stuff I ended up with. MAN! This stuff BREATHES!!! I think the Aerostich was good trainning. My body got used to being HOT. Now,even though I didn't buy the Kevlar mesh gear(because it dosen't stretch, trust me,I need it to)I can put on a cooling vest under the jacket in the summer and be comfortable when riding in the summer.

The Kevlar mesh IS GREAT stuff! Even the tri-armor is great stuff. It dosen't LOOK like it can do what it does. I think that is why Wayne developed the quad armor, It's even BETTER!
Anyway, Good job on picking the Motoport/Cycleport gear, I know it will give you many years of good service. Let's hope you never NEED all the protection you now have.
P.S. Isn't it great that if you crash this stuff, you can get it repaired and not have to stuff itin a garbage can?

[mtnbikerva1]

I spent $600 on the Cayenne Pro and it is falling apart. Another China made @$%^
My Cayenne Pro jacket has pockets that are supposed to be waterproof but
when I took my iphone out it was drenched.
Also the velcro that runs midsagittally on the jacket catches the sleeves
and other parts of the jacket and causes it to fray.
The main jacket part is not even water resistant so when it just acts lick a
sponge and sucks up all the water. When I get to work, home or where ever it
just drips very much all over everything.
Also I would recommend at $600 the jacket should come with the SAS-TEC pad
and I should not of had to go out and buy it myself and install it in my
jacket!
The stitching is coming apart on it also!
I think also due to the jacket not having any water or stain repellence
whatsoever, that the jacket gets and and shows dirt and stains immediately.
Rev-it was supposed to call me back and send me a new one but did not. I would rather get my $ back anyway.
My dealer is telling me it will be weeks for me to get my $ back.
I will try my credit card company.
I am seriously thinking about the kevlar stuff to replace. As far as I can tell Motoport is the only choice.
Made in USA I think.
I am still researching armor quality and performance, along with the rest of the story.

[K-Rider]

Originally Posted by mtnbikerva1

I am seriously thinking about the kevlar stuff to replace. As far as I can tell Motoport is the only choice.
Made in USA I think.
I am still researching armor quality and performance, along with the rest of the story.

I've logged around 100K miles in my Motoport Ultra Cordura II jacket and trousers. The removable liners make this 4 season riding gear (non-ice belt states). I commute 216 miles a day and this gear works. An 18 year old Widder electric vest and gloves provide additional warmth on the really cold days. Sidi "On-Road" boots keep my feet dry (150K miles). Aerostich glove covers for the rainy days.

I'll replace my cordura gear with Motoport's Kevlar mesh when the time comes.

John B.

[locus]

Originally Posted by Kanf

I asked Wayne about this last week and he said it isn't a problem to take the suits in if you loose weight. I was worried about the same issue but he assured me it's not a problem.

BTW David... and not to steal this thread, but what kind of Jacket is your yello/greenish one?? It seems so cool though safe....

[WMD]

After picking up a dualsport and finding my equipment a bit lacking, I bought a Kevlar (Keprotec body with air mesh inserts) Marathon jacket and over pants from Motoport about 3 month ago (both with quad armor)and am presently "breaking it in" (the armor is a bit stiff initially). For street only use I think the reqular Tri-armor would be more than sufficient. I went with the non air mesh as where I often ride it gets too cold and I get better airflow through the material and vents in warm temperatures than I ever got with my Aerostich one piece.

At this point I only have about 10 hours using the equipment but am very pleased with how it works and the quality.

Construction quality is excellent and both the Jacket and pants have a wide range of adjustability. They use a 5 thread overlock stitch for all of the seams - so seams unraveling/coming apart is unlikely. Wayne has been very responsive post sale to answer my questions about fitting issues and if I need to have the jacket altered, I am sure it won't be a problem.

I had visit his factory to be fitted and to see how everything was fabricated (hence how I know about the stitching). It is a small shop but well equipped and maintained. Wayne is more than willing to spend an hour walking you through the facility and explaining the attributes of the Motoport suits - time well spent.

I did notice on their website that they have a 15% sale going on for the next few days, which is a definite plus.

My 2 cents,
Bill

quote=mtnbikerva1]I spent $600 on the Cayenne Pro and it is falling apart. Another China made @$%^
SNIP...
I am seriously thinking about the kevlar stuff to replace. As far as I can tell Motoport is the only choice.
Made in USA I think.
I am still researching armor quality and performance, along with the rest of the story.[/quote]

[Kneedragger]

Originally Posted by mtnbikerva1

Also the velcro that runs midsagittally on the jacket catches the sleeves
and other parts of the jacket and causes it to fray.

WTF does that mean??

[Kanf]

Originally Posted by locus

BTW David... and not to steal this thread, but what kind of Jacket is your yello/greenish one?? It seems so cool though safe....

My suit is also from Motoport.com. Which luckily for me is just up the road. Wayne is great for info and very helpful. They measured me all up and had it ready in just a few weeks. I've had it for over 2 years now and not had a single problem.

And yea, one of the reasons I picked this suit is because it IS COOL to wear especially on hot days in SoCal. I find it easier to add extra gear underneath to get warm than to be so hot in a leather suit. The jacket I have is the Air Mesh kevlar Jacket.

[Kneedragger]

David, does your jacket have a windproof/waterproof detachable liner?? Pants also??

[Kanf]

Originally Posted by Kneedragger

David, does your jacket have a windproof/waterproof detachable liner?? Pants also??

yes and yes. I only used em once because the suit itself is pretty water resistant. The liners do however make it VERY water proof and much warmer. After I drop this weight I am getting a new suit. The GP2 2 peice suit with the pants that tuck into the boots.

[Kneedragger]

Originally Posted by Kanf

yes and yes. I only used em once because the suit itself is pretty water resistant. The liners do however make it VERY water proof and much warmer. After I drop this weight I am getting a new suit. The GP2 2 peice suit with the pants that tuck into the boots.

Next time we go to Angeles Crest, bring the liners...

[Kanf]

Originally Posted by Kneedragger

Next time we go to Angeles Crest, bring the liners...

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFT !!!

[justjoe]

Originally Posted by Kneedragger

Next time we go to Angeles Crest, bring the liners...

I've taken my Motoport gear in temps in the teens. I wore the rain/wind liner, thermal liner, a long sleeve turtle neck, sweat pants and thermal undergear (top and bottom). I was fine for my body and legs. I needed something better for my hands and neck, but the Motoport gear was awesome. Of course I also wear it when the temps hit the 90's here at home without all that junk and while moving it is awesome. I can say this gear is good for all the temperature swings I could find.

[theadjective]

I just wanted to add my own impressions of the Motoport / Cycleport products. I purchased the Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket and the Air Mesh Kevlar pant in April and I could not be more satisfied. I upgraded to the Quad Armor (having been in an accident I wanted all the protection I could get) and opted for the weatherproof liner with insulation. The build quality of the garments are, in my view, fantastic. Very substantial feel and well crafted. The fit of the jacket and pants were perfect. Note that I had given Motoport additional measurements re: inseam, thigh size, etc. So if you have a special build, I suggest you give them as much data as possible for a good fit. The Motoport people were very helpful on the phone, and I spoke on several occasions to Wayne, the company president, who was also very helpful. Yes, the garments are expensive. But what is worth more than having peace of mind, knowing you are wearing the best protection money can buy? For me, it was an investment well worth the money as you certainly do get what you pay for.