Early report on Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh Pant

1987 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by FazerDude, Apr 8, 2009

Veloz

Discussion Starter · Mar 31, 2009

As a follow-up to some earlier posts about the quality/fit of the Air Mesh pant, here are my initial impressions:

Fit: Great

Quality: Excellent

Armor: Excellent (in terms of comfort and conformance. I don't know yet it will work in action.. I don't want to know!!)

Satisfaction with purchase experience, customer service, etc: Very pleased.

I have an expensive pair of Vanson armored leathers hanging in my closet that I could never wear: too stiff to even get a leg over the Wing, even after trying to break them in.

I had no problem getting on the Wing with the Motoport's, right out of the box. That does not mean they are not somewhat stiff.. but honestly I expected them to be less pliable than they are so I am happy.

The only suggestion I made to Motoport was that it would be nice to have an easier way to get your left leg into the pant with your boot on.. I'm finding that a bit of a struggle. Of course the easiest solution is to put the boots on after you get the pants on and mostly zipped up, but that's less convenient.

The right leg is a breeze since that side completely zippers open.

I also got the liner: It looks very impressive. Much thicker than my current liner, the fit is great and I don't doubt it will reduce the times I have to wear my heated clothes. Of course I haven't worn it in the rain yet (I expect it would be too warm in summer temps to use as a rain liner, but I will try and see what happens)

More after 5,000 mile trip in June

Michael

See less See more

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

G

· #2 · Mar 31, 2009

pictures of the fit...

I, for one, would be interested in seeing pictures of the fit (particularly the legs) if you could, would you classify the fit as baggy or more form fitting?

WeKneeDragger

· #3 · Apr 1, 2009

BigDaddyGoldwing said:
I, for one, would be interested in seeing pictures of the fit (particularly the legs) if you could, would you classify the fit as baggy or more form fitting?

Do what I did, and send your favorite jeans to them and have them matched to them. They are not big but I still have enough room to put my Gerbings underneath. The waist has enough stretch in them to allow the room for the Gerbings. I didn't buy the liners. The Gerbings keep me warm in the winter and if it rains I throw on the rain gear over them.

I had mine made with blue jean style pockets and drop the logo off the flap.
They will break in with use. During the summer, I just wear my LD Comfort underwear:22yikes:

FazerDude

· #4 · Apr 2, 2009

Thanks. I have a set of these ordered. About to order the matching jacket as well. All hi-viz. Gonna' look like a power ranger...

NJREF

· #5 · Apr 2, 2009

BigDaddyGoldwing said:
I, for one, would be interested in seeing pictures of the fit (particularly the legs) if you could, would you classify the fit as baggy or more form fitting?

Mine fit "baggy"

My First Gear Mesh Tex are more form fitting

That said, the Motoport pant is much heavier material, less flexible stiffer than the MeshTex

motorcyclemom40

· #6 · Apr 2, 2009

I have the Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket and the Air Mesh Kevlar Pant . They were very stiff at the start but after some wearing and a couple of washings they are better. I had mine custom fitted so they fit great when I got them but now that I have lost weight they are too big. I wanted them a little lose because I have a variety of things I wear underneath it depending on the type of riding I am doing. I wear it in temps from the single digits up to tripple digits so it had to be flexible.

This is the suit I was wearing when I highsided in TX. It was estimated that I was still doing at least 50 mph when I came off the bike. I hit face and left knee first and then tumbled for awhile and then slid. Seemed to take forever but only a few seconds really. I had very little physical damage to myself. My left knee was scraped up a little from the pants I was wearing under the suit. My nuckles was scraped up a little, my gloves came off about half way through the tumble. I had a pretty good bruise on my left hip.

I walked away from the accident, albeit very slowly, and was back riding a couple of days later. I had to. The suit and my helmet did it job very well and worth every penny that I spent on it. I am still using the suit and the only mark on it is on a couple of the velcro tabs that adjust the waiste on the jacket.

See less See more

G

· #7 · Apr 2, 2009

motorcyclemom40 said:
I have the Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket and the Air Mesh Kevlar Pant . They were very stiff at the start but after some wearing and a couple of washings they are better. I had mine custom fitted so they fit great when I got them but now that I have lost weight they are too big. I wanted them a little lose because I have a variety of things I wear underneath it depending on the type of riding I am doing. I wear it in temps from the single digits up to tripple digits so it had to be flexible.

This is the suit I was wearing when I highsided in TX. It was estimated that I was still doing at least 50 mph when I came off the bike. I hit face and left knee first and then tumbled for awhile and then slid. Seemed to take forever but only a few seconds really. I had very little physical damage to myself. My left knee was scraped up a little from the pants I was wearing under the suit. My nuckles was scraped up a little, my gloves came off about half way through the tumble. I had a pretty good bruise on my left hip.

I walked away from the accident, albeit very slowly, and was back riding a couple of days later. I had to. The suit and my helmet did it job very well and worth every penny that I spent on it. I am still using the suit and the only mark on it is on a couple of the velcro tabs that adjust the waiste on the jacket.

Sheila: That accident is quite a testimonial! Did you have the optional hip armor? How were yours custom fit (did you travel out there)? What would you do differently if you ordered them again, (like, upgrade the armor)? Certainly glad to hear you weren't hurt seriously and bounced right back (literally)!

WestFlDon

· #8 · Apr 2, 2009

I ride in Motoport AirMesh Kevlar pants and Jacket.

The OP was correct. High quality a little stiff and great protection!

The best part though is, the ventilation. The summers get a might warm and humid down here, and it is wonderful to feel a breeze through thru these pants. Way too often we get stuck here in granny traffic and even at a dead stop you can feel it, if a small puff of wind passes you.
(never mind the passing wind jokes

)

In Florida, I usually wear swimwear under these pants. If I am caught in a quick rain shower, I'll be dry in 5 minutes after the rain. No rainsuit needed. ......................Don

NJREF

· #9 · Apr 2, 2009

Some years ago, when Motoport attended Americade...they had a suit there on display...it was worn by a rider on a sport bike who hit a deer at a very hgh speed (like 90mph or something like that)

The suit was torn up quite a bit but the rider was unscathed!

I saw that and bought the jacket.

I must say the poduct is high quality and built very tough.

SHEILA: thanks for the comments...I may try washing the pants to see if they will "soften" up a bit....my jacket worn in nicely over time...I guess the pants will too

FazerDude

· #10 · Apr 3, 2009

Making me feel even better about my choice. Just wish it did not take so long to build and ship. Think I'll order the jacket tomorrow.

Snoopy

· #11 · Apr 3, 2009

NJ after you wash them put them in the dryer NO HEAT with a pair of tennis shoes in with them and let them spin dry, That with a few washes will really soften them up. I love my use it year round here in Fla

NJREF

· #12 · Apr 3, 2009

Snoopy said:
NJ after you wash them put them in the dryer NO HEAT with a pair of tennis shoes in with them and let them spin dry, That with a few washes will really soften them up. I love my use it year round here in Fla

Good idea Snop......or maybe I could send my wife down to the river and she could wash and beat them on a rock? :tongue:

Veloz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 3, 2009

BigDaddyGoldwing said:
I, for one, would be interested in seeing pictures of the fit (particularly the legs) if you could, would you classify the fit as baggy or more form fitting?

At first I thought they were a tiny bit baggy, but:

Once I put my boots on, the fit was just a tiny snug around the boots, but I was able to deal with that.

Once I put in the liner I was glad the pants were a bit big.

Overall I don't feel they are too big per se.

PM me if you want a pic..

Michael

See less See more

motorcyclemom40

· #14 · Apr 3, 2009

BigDaddyGoldwing said:
Sheila: That accident is quite a testimonial! Did you have the optional hip armor? How were yours custom fit (did you travel out there)? What would you do differently if you ordered them again, (like, upgrade the armor)? Certainly glad to hear you weren't hurt seriously and bounced right back (literally)!

Yes I rode out there and had them fit me. At 5'7" I have a 32 1/2 inseam barefooted and very short waisted. The arms could have been a little longer but not enough of a problem to send it back and be without my suit.

Yes I do have all the optional armor, I ended up taking the chest protection out because I didn't like how it rubbed when I rode.

H-man

· #15 · Apr 3, 2009

I absolutely confirm Sheila's attestation of the Motoport Ultra II Kevlar suit. I survived a 65 MPH deer strike dismount and violent tumbling along the highway, and slowly limped off the highway with severe sprains and blunt force bruises (diffused by the "armor" - shoulders, elbows, forearms, CHEST, BACK, hips, thighs, knees, shins).

The Motoport thread material (woven Kevlar, Cordura, Lycra) has extremely high Denier abrasion resistance - and NO polyurethane.

Yes, the suit is loose and bulky, but allows unrestrictive freedom of movement while driving the bike. Several washings in a large laundromat machine - WITH the "armor" attached, makes the suit more pliable. The "custom made" means they use YOUR body measurements to manufacture the suit to properly fit YOU. I have gained 25 pounds but the adjustability and elastic waist afford it to still fit.

I wear an LL Bean breathable nylon 2 piece rain suit OVER the Motoport, in the fiercest rains.

I wear the insulated jacket liner down to 25 F temperatures - no pants liner.

See less See more

FazerDude

· #16 · Apr 3, 2009

Just ordered my jacket. Gonna' look like a Power Ranger running down the road!

FazerDude

· #17 · Apr 3, 2009

My hi-viz Kevlar Air Mesh pants just came. My fiancee said they burned her eyes.

After seeing the armor and how visible they are, she said she has a lot more piece of mind now.

They were not as stiff as I had been led to expect and the fit is comfortable. The quality looks to be as good as the price would lead you to expect. The EN rated Quad-armor is much more substantial looking than the CE armor in my Vanson jacket, which was a substantial upgrade from my M2R jacket's armor. The hip armor is much less substantial in comparison, but I feel like it was still worth it as it is better than nothing.

The pants are a bit of a hassle to put on, but that is due to the velcro covering on all zippers. The zippers are very substantial, unlike my Vanson zippers.

The material itself is comfortable inside, but very harsh on the outside.

I feel very well protected in these pants.

Wayne at Motoport called me to voice his concern about the measurements I sent for the jacket. It seems I am in between the L and XL sizes. We discussed it and I will be trying an XL first. Thankfully, the jacket is in stock so I can try it on next week and exchange it if it does not work out.

I really like dealing with this company.

See less See more

FazerDude

· #18 · Apr 6, 2009

Rode to work today in the Motoport / Cycleport Mesh Kevlar pants. It was harder to swing a leg over the bike than usual, but not that bad. Keep in mind that my bikes sits a few inches higher than stock, due to the 1.25" of sag and a 70 series tire.

I felt pressure on my knees from the knee armor, but not enough to be uncomfortable. I have a 30 minute commute, so I'll have to reserve judgement until I can put an all-day ride in, this weekend, but Wayne at Cycleport tells me it takes an hour and 30 minutes for the quad-armor to mold to the body. He also said it takes about 40 hours for the mesh kevlar to break-in. I plan on putting a couple of all-day rides in this weekend, as my fiancee is out of town, so I should have a better idea of the comfort.

As for airflow, my legs felt no warmer this morning than they normally do. I walked around in them, around the house, for about 20 minutes this morning, and my legs never got warm. You certainly know they are there when walking, but it is just a little more work to get around. I purchased the breathable rain liner, but will not wear that until tomorrow, as it is supposed to rain. It will be interesting to see how much warmer that is.

I'll give another update tomorrow.

See less See more

KayGee

· #19 · Apr 6, 2009

I'm on year 3 of my Air Mesh Kevlar. I did remove the armor in the pants and wear Bohn Armor instead. I feel that it covers more and won't move around in a get off.

n9frp

· #20 · Apr 7, 2009

I've used Motoport Kevlar for almost 4 years now, but I also have a set of Meshtex ll for putting around. Long distance, the Motoport comes out to play.
I always liked this writeup on Motoport, so I'm reposting it for those who haven't seen it yet. HERE is the Link

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.