Sanity Check on my motorport order please

[raitchison]

OK so I'm getting ready to guy new riding gear.

Currently I have First Gear high-viz jacket and black overpants. I'm reasonably happy with them other than the fit.

I've lost about 80 pounds since I bought the first gear jacket (was so tight when I bought it I could not wear the liner with it) and over 100 pounds since I bought the pants (I've needed suspenders to keep those up for a while now). I know with my gear not fitting well I'm potentially putting myself in a position where the armor won't be where it needs to be if I go down but I was waiting until I was basically done losing weight before shelling out for gear.

I'm very tall (6'5") and even for a tall person I have an atypical body type, I have a long torso and long arms. I've yet to find any off the shelf gear that fits reasonably well so I'm pretty much stuck with custom fit. I've basically decided that I should spend the $$$ for motoport gear. I've been reading various threads here which have answered many of my questions but I still have some remaining.

High-Viz on the jacket is a must for me, I do understand that the Motoport high viz clothing has issues with fading but I also understand it can be treated with a protectant periodically that will help with this. (https://www.motoport.com/_product_35453/Fabric_Guard_303)

Here in SoCal we have a relatively mild climate but the summers can be pretty hot, especially in the deserts where I frequently find myself on rides. I'd expect the low temperature I'd ride in to be in the 30s, maybe into the high 20s for a brief period of time if I am doing an early morning ride in the middle of January (unlikely) and the highs will be regularly over 100 in the summer (probably as high as 110, but thankfully low humidity).

Rain here is infrequent and largely predictable, I plan on getting a set of rain gear to stash in the saddle bags in case I get caught out in the rain. It's extremely unlikely that I'd regularly rite in the rain as SoCal drivers are even more incompetent when it's wet than when it's dry and every time it rains the amount of accidents skyrockets, I'm just never going to put myself in that situation intentionally so the only time I'd be riding in the rain is if I get caught in it unexpected or if I start doing LD rides to places with actual seasons.

Currently I don't bother with the liner in my jacket, if it's cold when I start riding I will put a windbreaker on under my jacket, it's easier and faster than installing the liner.

OK so on to the Motoport gear.

I'm looking at the Ultra II Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket in Hi-Viz/Black

https://www.motoport.com/_product_106895/Ultra_II_Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Jacket

As far as options:

I'm debating whether to get a liner and if so which one. I'm leaning towards the non-insulated liner, if it fits so tight that I couldn't wear a windbreaker underneath I might need the insulated liner.

I'm getting the reflective piping down the sleeves

For the pants I was thinking the Ultra II Cordura Light pants in black but I'm not sure if I should get the Air Mesh Kevlar instead.

https://www.motoport.com/_product_106916/Ultra_II_Cordura_Light_Pant

https://www.motoport.com/_product_106916/Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Pant

I'm not sure if I need any options here other than possibly a liner

One other thing to consider, in case it matter, I do live close enough to motoport to ride there, I suspect they don't have any kind of ride in service but I might get a better fit if they can measure me personally (don't know if that's true or even an available service)

I haven't contacted motoport yet but I know there are a lot of people here with their gear and figure I'd get all my ducks in a row before I E-Mail or call them.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

 

[dcarver]

By all means go and get fit. Do NOT attempt off-the-rack with your body type.

Beware that Wayne is a great guy with little customer skills - don't be put off by this.

The gear is the best - and that's what you are after.

I've had nothing but good experiences with Wayne / Moto but others have not.

Set up an appt, meet the man, make your own decisions from there.

My gear is 4, 5 years old? and still going great.

 

[Neil San Diego]

I would suggest the Ultra II Air Mesh for both jacket and pants. The mesh works great when it gets hot – the air goes right through it. I’ve ridden in 115 degree weather with shorts and tee-shirt underneath. Once you start moving, you can’t tell that the mesh suit is even there. Don’t know about the Cordura since I’ve never tried it.

I can also suggest the rain (non-insulated) liner. It does a great job of keeping the cold air out during the colder rides. I regularly ride down to 50 degrees with just the rain liner. As far as the insulated liner, I would suggest skipping that. I purchased that with my jacket, and only used it once. You can use a warm sweater for a lot less $$ if it gets that cold. With the rain liner and a fleece sweater, I have comfortably gotten down to the high 30s.

Yes, you can get measured for a custom fit at Motorport – at least we did 4 years ago. And Don is correct, Wayne is great person, but not the best people person if you push his buttons. Personally never had a problem with him.

 

[ALDAWG]

+1 on the Motoport/Wayne. If your that close to ride to them, then it's a no-brainer, go there and have all of your questions ansewered first hand rather than second hand on the forums. Thats what I would do. I live on the east coast, and had a couple of lengthy phone conversations with Wayne, followed the measuring instructions to the T, had my measurements double and triple checked. Both my jacket and pants fit perfectly, I'd do it again if I had to, I really like their gear. Don't forget the racing gloves, they are awesome I have both the summer and winter ones by far the best gloves I've ever had. Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[JimNtexas]

By all means go and get fit. Do NOT attempt off-the-rack with your body type.

Beware that Wayne is a great guy with little customer skills - don't be put off by this.

The gear is the best - and that's what you are after.

By all means call Motoport and make an appointment to be fitted. If at all possible, arrange to pick up the finished garment at Wayne's shop, it's possible that Wayne might need to tweak it before it's perfect.

Wayne isn't always Mr Warm 'N Friendly, but he really does want his customers to be happy and he wants to sell only quality gear.

 

[odot]

Have you checked the big and tall stores yet?

 

[Warchild]

Beware that Wayne is a great guy with little customer skills - don't be put off by this.

^This^

 

[SacramentoMike]

The gear is the best, IMO. Crash tested it, too. I do NOT like any of their liners, and just don't use them. I bought the whole package, too, but it's extremely complicated, thousands of zippers and snaps, never seems to fit all inside very well. I much prefer to layer my own stuff underneath, and as for rain, a simple nylon suit over the kevlar is SOOOO much simpler (imagine stopping, removing your coat and pants to insert the liners inside--sheeee). Frankly, the cost of the liners is way high, too. You'll spend enough just on the jacket and pants.

There is better gear for airflow, too, as far as riding in high heat is concerned. The Motoport has so many armor pads everywhere, and good big ones too, that they block a lot of air. I guess you could take them all out, but then, you could also just ride in a t-shirt if you want. We do wear the stuff for safety. If you go in, you'll KNOW it fits, so why not do it? I also recommend the reflective panels on both the jacket and pant legs. I have the white ones, and they're good, but I've seen the yellow ones since and wish I'd gone that way. It glows BRIGHT at night and even in the daytime.

 

[dcarver]

Beware that Wayne is a great guy with little customer skills - don't be put off by this.

^This^

:rofl:

Agree with others regarding liners...

 

[escapefjrtist]

I've got a mix and match combo with the short Air Mesh jacket (in Black / faded HI-Vis) with Air Mesh pants and a Stretch Kevlar 3/4 length jacket I picked up used on the cheap. First, unless the Hi-Vis material has been changed in the last couple years don't believe that treating with 303 does any good. I kept my Air Mesh jacket clean and treated, and the shoulder fading is unacceptable. And, it wasn't washed excessively either as is typically the excuse for fading. The gear is four years old and has only been machine washed once, but it's due again.

If I were buying new CyclePort gear now (for hot weather), it would be an Air Mesh jacket with Stretch Kevlar pants. The stretch material breathes incredibly well and I doubt you'll notice much difference in temps below 100. I've worn the Stretch Kevlar jacket in 95 degree temps and as long as you keep moving, it's not a problem. Skip the CyclePort liners, they're not worth the complexity and cost.

Just my $.02 and YMMV...

--G

 

[Blind Squirrel]

By all means go and get fit. Do NOT attempt off-the-rack with your body type.

Beware that Wayne is a great guy with little customer skills - don't be put off by this.

The gear is the best - and that's what you are after.

I've had nothing but good experiences with Wayne / Moto but others have not.

Set up an appt, meet the man, make your own decisions from there.

My gear is 4, 5 years old? and still going great.

+1 Make the appointment, you won't be sorry.

 

[twistedcricket]

I'll follow this thread with great interest. My current gear was purchased just after the bike (in '07). I haven't needed it, thankfully, but it's showing some age.

Worldbound4now just took delivery of his new gear and he stayed away from the hi-viz color of the jacket and opted for black with the hi-viz stripes. Following him for two days in Texas (nice, warm and really sunny) the contract of black and hi-viz was noticeable even from a distance (quarter mile, maybe a bit more). He didn't go in for the fitting but he said there were a lot of measurements to take and it looked like it fit him well. I'm sure there's a "break in" period before it doesn't feel so stiff. I don't recall that he ever complained about being too warm although the temps really only reached the mid-90s those two days.

 

[dcarver]

Regarding break-in.. yeah, it takes some time. The MP gear is never as comfie as textile stuff. It's always a continuum between comfort and protection. After 100k miles, my MP is pretty limber.

 

[raitchison]

OK I'm going to E-Mail them today and get the process started, will update this thread as the process develops.

 

[dcarver]

OK I'm going to E-Mail them today and get the process started, will update this thread as the process develops.

My .02 worth for a Friday? Be sure to followup email with a phone call / visit. For them, you are just another email out of thousands of email. Show your face, personalize the purchase, the service and overall experience will be much improved.

 

[raitchison]

OK I'm going to E-Mail them today and get the process started, will update this thread as the process develops.

My .02 worth for a Friday? Be sure to followup email with a phone call / visit. For them, you are just another email out of thousands of email. Show your face, personalize the purchase, the service and overall experience will be much improved.

Well I'm going to make an appointment, it's close but it's still like 130 miles away, I can't exactly drop by on my lunch break

 

[johnny80s]

I bought the liners (non-insulated) with my gear. The liners are not a pain to put in the jacket. I ride during the winter with the wind liner and my heated liner. I have been down to 27 degrees and had no issues. The pant liners are more of a pain but I only use them when it is very cold. I can go down into the 50s before I need to put the liners in the pants. I would get the motoport liners again if I had to do it over. I just deal with the pant liners but I don't use them much so its not big deal.

 

[Jay H]

Go for the Moto-Port gear, it is essential equipment. I went with the quad armor and glad I did after being rear ended on the I-405 and tumbling down the car pool lane. Emergency room Doc's were very impressed at how well I came through the whole thing. Minimal damage to the gear. I spoke with Wayne before sending it back to him for the minor repairs and it looks as good as new. I purchased all the gear via telephone and mail correspondence and as long as you follow the fitment instructions all will go well. Wayne was always very cordial with me???

J

 

[MGB]

I bought the MotoPort Kevlar pants a few years back. As requested, I sent them a pair of jeans that fit me comfortably (especially when on the bike and with my riding boots). They used them as the template and I got the jeans and a pair of perfect fitting Kevlar pants back. Great service and I could not ask for a better fit.