Features and Benefits from Cycle Gear:
- Durable ultra-flow mesh outer material with reinforced 600 denier panels for comfort and protection.
- Highly abrasion resistant 600 denier seat.
- Reflective detail for increased viability.
- Removable waterproof, windproof, and breathable liner from protection from the elements.
- Two zip entry hand warmer pockets.
- Comfort stretch panels above knees/elbows for added comfort in the riding position.
- Pull through waist tabs for variable fit.
- Zip entry ankle/wrist closures with tab adjustment.
- Short jacket connection zipper.
- CE-Approved armor.
- Memory foam comfort back panel.
I got a great deal of use out of the Arturo Mesh Gear. It was used for most of the 18,000 summer miles that I put on my 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT. We rode cross country twice, made a couple runs up into the Smokys and then did a number of other medium to short rides in the region. We saw a lot of different conditions and a lot of rain, as we had one of the rainiest summers here in Florida this year.
The mesh material was fairly consistent with mesh gear that I've used in the past. Without the liners, it breaths well and does it's job. The material is durable; I have no rips in the material anywhere, including the seat.
The set has a slew of zippers and they all continue to work properly without any snagging.
The pant and jacket are connectable via a zipper in the back. I never use that feature, but rather just treat it like a pants and jacket combo.
Sizing was kind of strange. I would typically wear a normal large jacket, but the extra large jacket felt like a much better fit than the large that seemed way too tight. As for the pant, I'd normally wear a 36 inch waist, but the 34 inch was the size that fit. I tried on both jacket and pant with and without the liner and picked those sizes. The pant size worked out well for the entire season. However, the chest of the jacket puffed way out when riding and I ended up doing some adhoc tailoring using safety pins to get it to tie down tighter on my upper trunk.
The liners are dual layered, where the outer layer is waterproof and the inner layer is sort of a vinyl. They attach securely to the jacket and pant with zippers and a network of snaps (two at each wrist and two at each ankle). The ankle of the legs on the liner can be tightened with a Velcro strap. The wrist of the jacket has a latex strap to tighten. The liners are very easy to remove and install.
The liners are waterproof as advertised, but the mesh shell results in a chilling effect (air on water) while riding in rain, causing an uncomfortable refrigeration on your body parts. It's best to wear a sweater or heavy long-sleeved shirt under the liner. On the other hand, when the weather gets colder and the liner stays dry, the liner provides a good degree of protection from the cold ... due to the next point.
The liners are not very breathable, if at all. Riding with the liners installed (including during rain riding) will cause body sweat. I found it necessary to thoroughly rinse out the liners every other day while on trips or else they'd begin to smell bad. Alternatively, as mentioned above, the liners serve well as a layer against cold. I would place them at a good 55-60 degree base layer.
The pant had a very bad tendency to ride up my legs, which is characteristic of many types of motorcycle pant. However, when it did that, the knee padding irritated my knees to the point that on one occasion they bled and I needed to stop and buy some freaking band-aids. Keeping the pant leg tied down with boot straps kept them from both riding up my leg and causing the irritation.
I typically used the strap type boot strap, that straps under the foot. You can see them in the photos above. Those strap type have a tendency to stretch out and get caught on parts. Late in the year I went to the boot strap type as shown in the photo below. This type worked perfectly; never came loose, never got stuck on parts, always held well.
Summary
Overall, I give the SEDIC Arturo Jacket and Pant a 3.5 on a scale of 1 to 5. The gear got an immediate mark down due to some fitment issues with the jacket. However, once I fixed the fitment issues the mesh gear worked and wore very well (durable). It's protective features seem very good with elbow, knee and back armor; as good as one can expect from any mesh set.
The gear gets a another mark down because the liners, while waterproof, do not breath well at all. As liners, they're not necessarily intended to be installed full time. However, you do need to make some decisions about liner use for your daily riding. With these that's a toss of the dice. It either rains and your installation paid off, or you get drenched in your own sweat. On a couple positive notes, the liner removal and installation is fast and easy and, while not intended, they make good layers against cold temps.
The gear pulls through with a great appearance (suppose that's in the eye of the beholder) and an overall decent level of comfort both when riding and scoping out the sights on your tours.
On a scaled of 1 to 5, where 5 is best:
Appearance 4
Fitment 3
Comfort 4
Durability 3
Liner Removal/Install 4
Fall Protection 3
Element Protection 2
Overall 3.5
That leaves value. There are a number of offerings for mesh summer gear. I think that I got my money's worth in the SEDICI Arturo Gear and expect at least another summer season out of them.
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