I've been using my firstgear mash jacket for about 3 years. I'm thinking of getting a little better quality one now, not that firstgear was or is bad at all. I'm looking at motoport air mesh kevlar or BMW's air shell jacket. Never experienced with motoport clothing and they say it is very good, but I do like BMW stuff even though I ride ST1300. Let's hear your opinions.
Jackets Mesh summer jackets, need advise.
- Thread starter STPete
- Start date
Capt_Gruuvy
Stay-at-Home Astronaut
I do not have the Motorport mesh kevlar jacket, but i do have their mesh kevlar pants. I love them! The quality is excellent. Easily surpasses the two TourMaster/Cortech mesh jackets I have. The protection is also excellent.
sherob
Old Herder of cats.
I have the Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh II jacket... I've had it for sometime now, and it's worth every penny I spent. I've had Cortech... Firstgear... pretty much all cheaper priced mesh gear before buying it, but nothing compares in quality or protection to the Motoport. When I wear my Oly AST during the winter, it feels light weight compared to the Motoport.
It is heavy, but the wind flows thru it just fine... and it will last... and most important, I know it will do it's job if something happens.
It is heavy, but the wind flows thru it just fine... and it will last... and most important, I know it will do it's job if something happens.
Motoport
Me too, but in grey/black: It's the FirstGear Torrent Mesh.
Something to keep in mind with mesh gear - it's a bit "stretchier" than other gear. Make sure that the jacket has some sort of neck closure, either a snap or good velcro. Reason I'm sayin' - I had a get off with my Joe Rocket mesh jacket, and the jacket stretched enough to come off my shoulder. I got some very light scratches on my shoulder through my t-shirt - the jacket did its job , no other scratches, but this pointed out the reason for the neck closure. Need to keep that jacket ON your body for max efficacy.. lol..
Throttlejockey
Padden is my hero
Olympia Airglide III. Not as much mesh as some but lots of protection.
mrbug
I had a Cortech GX Air II that I wore for four years. My biggest complaint was the very reason I bought it, the leather uppers and back. The thing I did not like about the leather back patch was it made the jacket feel heavy and was hotter in the summer than my previous Joe Rocket Santa Fe (circa 2003). It would lay flat on my back and no air flow would move around my back. I now have a Olympia Airglide 3 in Toxic. This jacket has two liners that zip out similar to the Cortech. It feels lighter on which in turn keeps me cooler. I get a lot of sarcastic comments about the brightness of the jacket but at least I am being seen. After 8 months of riding with it, I don't have any complaints.
nyener
Terry Nyenhuis
+2 for Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh.
It depends. If maximum protection in a mesh is your goal, go with the Motoport aka Cycleport. (I don't think the name change is gonna work out....) I've had a Joe Rocket with leather uppers, an Olympia Airglide, and now Motoport. The Motoport is cooler than both others when moving, but it is bulkier than a poly mesh jacket. There are two reasons. First, the armor. More armor = more bulk. Second, the Kevlar mesh is thicker. This matters if you're the sort who always wants to store your gear on the bike. It's not very practical, even with the ST's prodigious storage, to stash the Motoport pants & mid-length jacket, along with the helmet and boots.
The Motoport pants are easier don and doff than the Oly's were. When not moving, the Motoport gear may be slightly warmer due to the armor than the other gear.
All that said, I've put my $$$ towards the Motoport, and would do it again.
The Motoport pants are easier don and doff than the Oly's were. When not moving, the Motoport gear may be slightly warmer due to the armor than the other gear.
All that said, I've put my $$$ towards the Motoport, and would do it again.
Purchased the BMW AirShell and the optional back protector a month ago, 3000 miles so far. Have several others including the Airglide 2. If you want a waterproof inside pocket dont buy the 3, they replaced it with a mesh pocket. The AirShell does dot flow as much air as the Airglide 2, it has no mesh on the back and a larger (optional) back protector but that diff in 90+ means little. For me the AirShell offers much better protection/armor but that is related to the fit too. I can adjust the arms and waste so that it doesnt bunch up or slide around. The neck closure also works properly and is comfortable. The inside waterproof pocket has a velcro closure, not as easy to use as the zipper on the Airglide 2. The cuffs on the AirShell can be worn under or over cuffed gloves for additional air flow. As for the roundel on the sleeve and the BMW MOTORRAD stitched on the lower left pocket I wore the jacket on my ST to the IBR checkpoint in JAX and no one said a word.
Thanks for all replies, different opinions as to be expected. I'm leaning toward cycleport, however what I don't like is , you can't go to the retail store and try one out. I can go to BMW dealer but not cycleport to see their stuff.
dmcleane
Dave Elliott
This was a concern of mine, as well. After hearing Mellow's tale of trying to get his pants to fit properly I decided the only way I would invest in Motoport was if I could get measured by Motoport at their facility. That meant a 1200 mile roundtrip ride (through LA - sorry to those that live in LA, but ugh!!!). For those beyond a reasonable ride (through H*LL and back) I can empathize. With that said, I had the time to pick and choose every feature, see crashed-in gear (real eye opener), handle the various fabrics, and have Wayne mearure me on and off my own bike. I couldn't be more pleased with my investment, and everything fits perfect.
Stopped by BMW dealer in Milwaukee to see their clothes. Airshell, very nice however no back protector, not even a pad and $449, ouch... For that price I would expect top of the line protection and armor. Cycleport cost the same and it has all necessary safety included. Some of the BMW jackets were close to $1000, forgot their name but $1000... I hope they are air bag equipped. BMW looks to be very well made though and of quality materials. Hunt for cycleport begins. I wonder if Wayne from CP would modify jackets/pants if they were bought used.
If you're not in a hurry there are usually used motoport jackets for sale here or more on the advrider site. That is where I got mine.. It was off the rack large and fits great.. just got lucky I guess.. also 1/2 price etc.. The only thing I dont like about my mesh one is the collar.. it is like not having one. With all the armour in, they are heavy/bulky too but you dont notice it while riding, and it does flow alot of air which is good..
dmcleane
Dave Elliott
When I was at the Motoport shop in early June Wayne was getting ready to go on the road later in the month. I didn't know it at the time, but I believe he went to WeSTOC and took orders and did measurements. It might be worth a call to see if he has any plans to be at a show or event where he would be closer to where you (insert the name of anybody that might be interested) live/ride.
Anyway, just a thought.
Anyway, just a thought.
I have an Olympia in bright yellow. I will also buy the Olympia mesh pants soon. I wear the jacket with a cooling vest, under it and a T shirt. My other armour jacket is a Joe Rocket, I like it too but it is not mesh
Last1Out
Another First Gear Torrent Mesh fan, here. I have two! One in yellow and one in gray.
Another Motoport fan here. Bought one of the mesh police jackets through the group ride and had a chance to take it out on a decent ride in warm weather last weekend. Did the job. I've got one of the stretch kevlar jackets that I'll probably now sell as the new one with liner will work for me year round.
John
John