Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh Overpants Functional Overview and Durability Report

[moshe_levy]

Hello All-

My new review focuses on Motoport's Air Mesh Kevlar Overpants, originally tested for the June 2012 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News. These pants are a substantial investment, so I put this together so you can see how they've held up after years of abuse!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aggloCJuYQw

-MKL

[Moto]

Very good review. I've had the same pants for even longer, and agree with everything you said.

[stevet]

Perfect timing, Moshe.  I'm really thinking hard about a pair of these mesh pants for summer use.  How is it wearing them in elevated humidity and high temps?  In recent years I've been finding myself staying home on hot summer days (to me, that means mid-80's and hotter, pretty much all of July and August in MN) because I'm finding little that is pleasurable while pleasure riding in a Cordura nylon suit under bright sun with high temps and humidity.  And my gear consists of a yellow jacket and lighter gray pants, so I can't blame it on black material.

I have high hopes for these Motoport Kevlar mesh pants moving copious amounts of air, but there is a lot of padding that I'm thinking may cut down that air flow.  Your thoughts and impressions?  (Yours, too, Moto.  And anyone else for that matter.)

Also, in the butt area, I'm considering their stretch Kevlar material rather than the mesh.  Over at that big adventure riding website I've read of others doing this because they've found the Kevlar mesh can be rough on the saddle upholstery while the stretch Kevlar is kind to the saddle.  Have you noticed anything like this on your bike(s)?

Thanks much!

Steve.

[moshe_levy]

Thanks guys.

The heat issue is obviously a subjective one. It's not an objective, linear scale. There is a great deal of armor coverage there, as you noted. They're perforated, sure - but they're there. Surely, with that level of armor coverage and mesh kevlar, I wasn't expecting the uber-breezy feel of a perforated nylon $99 blue light special mesh jacket. It's a tradeoff. I never found it too hot, personally, but I'm born of Israeli parents, so my tolerance for heat is pretty high! What's the old saying? "Better to sweat than to bleed."

As for the seat, it's simply never something that's happened to me. I've had these pants now on several bikes - BMW seats by Bill Mayer in both vinyl and leather, the stock BMW RT seat while I still had it, a Mustang seat on my Harley in vinyl, and even the super-delicate "suede" seat on the V7R. I don't see any extra wear anywhere, though I will grant you that the kevlar fabric is rough to the touch. It's there if I land on my ass, though. Again - tradeoffs.

-MKL

[jknight611]

Absolutely agree with this review!  I have the same pants and they wear like iron.  I have about 150,000 miles on mine and after a good wash they look like new.  I didn't upgrade the armor,  I added suspenders to support the weight, but after break-in probably not needed. I ride in the Deep South and they pants are very comfortable with a pair of shorts under.  Warm but not oppressive.   I agree with his statement that the pockets, particularly the cargo pockets need a liner, after a week trip my cuticles are abraded from reaching into the pockets.  The Kevlar can abrade paint, very similar to wearing Scotch-brite pants!  Motoport upgraded the zippers in mine and added a water bladder pouch on my Motoport Marathon jacket 2 years after initial purchase.  Never thought of upgrades on any other riding gear, but the Motoport gear is that good. 

[stevet]

Nice, thanks!  I guess it's time to upgrade.

Moshe, I'm the opposite- summer heat physically, and mentally, wipes me out (even practicing proper hydration), but being of northern European stock, winter is no problem, just toss on another fleece and go.

Great info, guys, thank you.

Steve.

[moshe_levy]

Hey, they're built to order. You can tell Wayne you want a water bladder or integrated hydration system, and he can make 'em that way.

-MKL

[redrider]

I too have the northern euro lineage and enjoy cooler riding but hot weather is only an issue at the beginning of summer. The last several weeks here have been over 100F every day but with the MSF course range work, I acclimated quickly early on. I also force myself to ignore the inner voice that says "It is too hot-stay inside. Enjoy the AC. Go for a swim." I also know that age affects heat tolerance but so far....

[Dave Swanson]

I have been thinking about some protection upgrades in the pant department.  Good food for thought.  Looks like a great product.  I wonder how they compare to Aerostich products such as the Roadcrafter pant?

[stevet]

About 7 days to ship, I just ordered a pair of the Motoport Ultra Air II Mesh Kevlar pants with the stretch Kevlar back option.  Added hip and tailbone pads, too.  Just standard pads, which my current pants don't have.  Ordered the cruiser lower leg zipper flaps as well.  About $600, but if they last me the better part of... the remainder of my riding years, they are a good investment.  And if I go down while wearing them, an even better investment!

http://www.motoport.com/product/ultra-ii-air-mesh-pant/

Thanks guys,
Steve.