Motoport Ultra II Kevlar - comments/suggestions

[number9]

I am looking very seriously at buying the Motoport Ultra II Kevlar pants and jacket for me and the wife before riding season gets back around. I know the Stich has a very good reputation, but I have also heard it is very hot in hot weather (90+ degrees) and that is when we will be riding most. Here in KY temps range from 0 to 100 degrees with humidity so thick you can cut it with a knife so air-flow is paramount - as is GREAT protection for us.

Can anyone who owns or knows others who own the Motoport gear give some feedback on anything I should look for / Do/Don't or whatever about this particular gear. Any pics you could include (besides pics on their site) would be nice as well.

Thanks!!

[nyener]

I ordered a pair of the Air Mesh Kevlar pants in the late summer & received them mid October. They fit great since they're custom made. I live in Iowa and didn't get a chance to wear them in the 90 degree 90% humidity. I think they will be fine. $280 delivered to my door. Worth it IMHO.
I plan to buy a jacket, probably an Ultra II Air Mesh Kevlar, to replace my Joe Rocket Phoenix 3. The J R is fine in the high temperatures & high humidity, but after reading the "Save Your Hide" guide from Motorport, I'm thinking that I may want a bit more protection. Terry

[NewsMag]

I was looking at procuring this suit as well. Some negative feedback on the company in the middle of 2003 timeframe kept me from proceeding. More recent feedback is positive. See for yourself here:
Ultra II Pants (http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=688)
Ultra II Jacket (http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=684)

Often you will find helpful info at www.motorcyclegearreview.com

[nyener]

STeve,
Thanks for the connection to the motorcyclegearreview site. I've added that to my favorites. I looked for a review on the Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket or Pants. There isn't a review on either yet. I'll need to wear mine more before I'd write a review. The reviews you cited were for the 1000 Denier Cordura.
From Motoport's (Cycleport) brochure:
1000 Denier Cordura =110 lbs to tear, 1780 abrasion cycles to failure
Cotton Jeans=4.5 lbs to tear, 50 abrasion cycles to failure
Air Mesh Kevlar=1260 lbs to tear, 970 abrasion cycles to failure
Be safe!

[number9]

Just got off the phone with Wayne at Motoport. Ordered the Ultra II Kevlar Jacket and Pants in black for me and the wife. I have been researching gear for us for a while now and it feels good to finally have a decision made and the stuff on order. :mcrider:

[Northern Rob]

Hi, I bought the Ultra II airmesh kevlar pants last summer. I also bought the gortex liner pant that goes with it. I previously wore Belstaff armoured pants and although I was happy with the amount of protection, I found them way too hot for use in the summer.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the airmesh kevlar pant was as good as the "propoganda" on the company web site. I wore them for a ride from Vancouver Canada (close to Seattle, WA) to the Yukon and Alaska. We went throught the interior of BC where it was well over 90 degrees and the pants were at least as cool as wearing jeans. I installed the gortex liner any time the temp dropped as we drove further north. We went through a bunch of mountain passes with a few temp drops close to freezing and I also drove through 2 days of solid rain with no leaks. I was comfortable the whole time, and my riding buddies (in riding leather) were very uncomfortable for good chunks of the ride.
I am delighted with the gear. Although I haven't tested the kevlar on an actual spill yet, it's hard to imagine you'd could buy cooler gear and still have reasonable crash protection. With the gortex inserts, you have warm and waterproof gear when you need it. Also, I found the quality of the seams, cloth etc to be excellent...unlike some other manufacturers where the threads and material fray with just normal use. I just ordered the kevlar airmesh jacket a couple of weeks ago. I'll be throwing my Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket in the garbage when it arrives.

Regards,

Rob

[number9]

Thanks for the eval. I didn't order the inserts, but am kind of wishing I had. We don't plan to clutch out for a ride in cold or raining weather, but do stand the chance of getting caught in some I guess. Buying 2 sets of gear = $$$$. The inserts for me and her would be another $460 :eek: We still need to get proper sport/touring gloves and boots. Most likely the Helmoit Buffalo 365 glove and Sidi B-One boot for each of us. I guess we can always go back and order the inserts later.

[Fireball18]

Just occurred to me that when we were at the Seattle M/C show in 2002, there was a guy selling kevlar jeans. They were made from the kevlar/cordura mix material and looked just like a pair of black jeans. I believe you can also install armor in the knees. Don't know about the hips or seat. I also don't recall his company's name, but I do remember that he is the Triumph dealer in Eugene, Or, if that helps. The pants were priced at $75.00 a pair at the time. He didn't have any goretex (or any other "tex") inserts, but it wouldn't be any more trouble to stop and put on a pair of rain pants than it would be to remove your riding pants and zip in the goretex liners. Just a thought.

[Northern Rob]

You can buy those Kevlar jeans, jean jackets or shirts at http://www.dragginjeans.com/ . They're a big safety upgrade if you like to ride in just jeans and a T-shirt or jean jacket, but the Motorport kevlar stuff is designed to approach the safety of racing grade leathers with significantly more comfort - so its aiming for a different market and higher price point.
Regards,
Rob

[Fireball18]

Actually, these are some riding pants this guy makes there at his place. They weren't Draggin' Jeans. The thing I liked about these is that they are VERY lightweight and the breeze goes right through them. Add to that the fact that you can put optional armor in them and you have a pretty good pair of pants. If I understand the Draggin' Jeans correctly, they are made of regular denim with Kevlar panels in the "strategic" places. The ones this guy makes (or at least made, at the time) are completely Kevlar, or rather the Kevlar/cordura blend, which is actually more durable than straight Kevlar. I wish now that I had purchased a pair at the time. Oh well, you know what they say about hindsight.

[number9]

Motoport does infact make Kevlar Jeans. They have the Kevlar Street Jeans (http://www.motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=1&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=G7Y9CEYc&Product_ID=830.102.509&Merchant_Company=Pants%20Gear&Category=Kevlar&Merchant_Fax=1-760-752-9317&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499) and the Kevalr Light Street Jeans (http://www.motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=1&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=G7Y9CEYc&Product_ID=820.102.510&Merchant_Company=Pants%20Gear&Category=Kevlar&Merchant_Fax=1-760-752-9317&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499) as well as the Cordura Street Jeans (http://www.motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=0&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=G7Y9CEYc&Product_ID=810.102.512&Merchant_Company=Pants%20Gear&Category=Cordura/Nylon&Merchant_Fax=1-760-752-9317&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499).Man, I can't wait to get my gear. :eat1: