MSR Adventure gear

[bryanchurch06]

Anyone using the msr jacket or pants from rocky mountain atv? Thanks Bryan

 

[Farmer Mike]

Nope, but I just purchased a jacket from Gryphonmoto.com. The people at SunState Motorcycle Training claim it's excellent gear at reasonable prices. I will have it on Tuesday and can tell you what I think about it. I purchased the Tucson Mesh Jacket.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Thanks, after yesterday's ride I finally came to the conclusion riding in shorts and tennis shoes ain't gonna cut it in this environment. So at long last I'm looking for some true protection. I've looking at the msr series at rmatv and forma short boots. Prices are reasonable on both and quality seems good.

 

[Farmer Mike]

I've ridden ten's of thousands of miles on motorcycles over the course of my life, and NEVER owned a piece of dedicated motorcycle gear... then I spent some years working in a level one trauma center... and I got rid of all my motorcycles! Obviously I've come back around in my old age, but I also now own several pieces of dedicated motorcycle gear, and I never run faster than 45 MPH. I've seen some really nasty stuff, some of which shouldn't be typed in open venues... let me just say you should not ride in shorts, and tennis shoes EVER... given what I now know.

 

[Farmer Mike]

My Gryphon jacket came... I'm super impressed with it. It is a bit heavy, but I guess that's how it is with Armor (elbow, shoulder, back)... never had a "real" motorcycle jacket before, but my initial impressions of this thing is that I'm shocked they sell these at this price. I've owned it exactly 1 day, but it seems to be of excellent quality, and I've looked it over carefully. I'll be putting miles on it daily... so I'll report back in a few months and update you on how I feel about it over time.

 

[bryanchurch06]

My Gryphon jacket came... I'm super impressed with it. It is a bit heavy, but I guess that's how it is with Armor (elbow, shoulder, back)... never had a "real" motorcycle jacket before, but my initial impressions of this thing is that I'm shocked they sell these at this price. I've owned it exactly 1 day, but it seems to be of excellent quality, and I've looked it over carefully. I'll be putting miles on it daily... so I'll report back in a few months and update you on how I feel about it over time.

Do you have a link to where you purchased it? Thanks Bryan

 

[quinnsd13]

Nope, but I just purchased a jacket from Gryphonmoto.com. The people at SunState Motorcycle Training claim it's excellent gear at reasonable prices. I will have it on Tuesday and can tell you what I think about it. I purchased the Tucson Mesh Jacket.

Looks like they have some nice stuff on there. The "Aqua Air Mesh" jacket looks promising for my weather conditions.

 

[Farmer Mike]

Do you have a link to where you purchased it? Thanks Bryan

gryphonmoto.com

After some riding today I have some additional thoughts. I am still super impressed with the quality. I would say the fit is maybe not perfect... with the thermal liner in place, and the armor in the elbows, it's pretty tight in the lower arms... removed the thermal lining and it was fine. I'm wondering how many people buy a mesh jacket and then run the thermal liner it in... most of the year I'm gonna use this thing without the liner. Just wanted to toss that out. I'm also guessing a lot of people might just remove the elbow pads... they are pretty bulky. I've never owned anything with armor, so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[dmonkey]

I'm also guessing a lot of people might just remove the elbow pads... they are pretty bulky. I've never owned anything with armor, so I have nothing to compare it to.

SAS-TEC or D3O Ghost pads rated CE Level 1 are some very flexible and low profile pads that you might be able to swap them out for if you're okay with that level of protection. Those armor options are common for the more casual riding gear, for example many motorcycling jeans, because they are less obstructive to mobility and less bulky in appearance.

 

[Farmer Mike]

I'm going to look at those Ghost pads, I hear lots of nice things about this. Having said that, I spent 3 hours on the bike again this morning, and the Jacket is fine... it's a little tight, but honestly it's fine (at least for me). I am super happy with my purchase. I would definitely buy it again based on initial use. I will update how well it holds up. I will be riding a lot (another 3 hours tomorrow)... so it's gonna get some wear.

 

[TrailBoss]

MSR has made the rounds with the YouTube cycle channels, there are lots of reviews out there that liken the Xplorer gear to the higher level Klim gear. Most of them are "reviews" of free gear but I found a few that were actual purchases and they were still favorable.

I am considering the MSR Xplorer pants because the only waterproof pants I have are non-vented (Olympia Ranger pants) and get really hot when the temps are not cool enough. The Xplorer pants have vents, which oddly is not super common on most pants.

I wish the MSR stuff was somehow available locally, since the single most important thing I've learned about gear is it needs to fit right. I've learned that lesson chasing discounted online gear over the years.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I've noticed Rockymountainatvmc.com has started selling gear on Amazon, prices are close to their website and it's easier to return things that don't fit.