How to choose the right Paramotor

Choosing a paramotor can be a complicated decision. For most people, they usually resort to Facebook groups, confusing them, and in the end they look for something cheaper as an entry point into the sport, but when opting for this option, they usually end up spending more money - a lot more money. In this article, I’ll go over a few things so that you can make an educated decision, without the riffraff we typically see in forums and Facebook groups.

Primary parts of a paramotor:

Motor
Frame/cage
Harness
Features

Motor
Lets start with your weight. This is important because we want to know what size motor you will need. Although there are a lot of great options out there, we are going to focus on the two most popular options, the Vittorazi Moster 185, and the Vittorazi Atom80. My rule of thumb is if you’re 185lbs (Think Moster 185), go with the Moster. If you’re <180lbs (Think Atom80) go with the Atom80. If you’re less than 80, you can absolutely still fly with the more powerful motor, and visa versa - but not necessary. Each has their own unique benefits which we won’t get into here, but you just need to make sure you’re on a motor that’s powerful enough to get you into the sky. The biggest difference in the two will be climb rate, which is also dependent on your weight.

I’m about 200 lbs, so I’ll go with the Moster 185.

Frame/Cage
There are a lot of great options, few bad ones, and some brands who are still trying to figure it out. As a beginner pilot, you’ll want to find a frame that is going to be easy to repair. There are 4 common materials that frames today are made out of: Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, and Carbon fiber. Here are the differences:

Steel: rigid, can possibly bend back if damaged, heavy!

Aluminum: Can be very durable, can not be bent back into shape, moderate weight, can be pricey to repair

Titanium: moderate rigidity, can usually be bent back to shape due to it’s springy characteristics, light weight!

Carbon Fiber: Rigid, strong, very lightweight, not recommended for newer pilots as repair costs can be extremely high.

Titanium seem nice, lets look for a set up with a Moster 185, and a titanium frame.


Harness
There are a lot of options for harnesses. Most brands offer 2 options, a cheaper option, and a more comfortable option, like the Dudek Power Seat Comfort. If your budget allows, go for the nicer option as this is where your body makes contact with the unit, and where you’ll be spending most of your time. In the long run, you’ll be happier.

Some harness offer extra features, like the dedicated SupAir harness that comes standard on Pap Paramotors. Some of the features unique to this harness are:

Built-in airbag: makes this a great feature for beginners, as well as experienced pilots who find themselves in sticky situations. Most new students will have a few but landings, and this feature will be sure to reduce damage to your brand new paramotor.

Pocket on the shoulder strap: This is a really nice feature that is unique to Pap SupAir harnesses. It will hold your phone or radio without having to purchase a separate harness.

Built-in Tach Window: The built in tach window is located in the shoulder strap and allows you to see the technicals of the motor just by looking down.


Some additional things to consider are:

How easy can they break down for transport? Pap Paramotor cage’s are assembles in 4 separate pieces, and can be broken down and packed away in under 2 minutes, so if this is something important, find a unit with a similar system, there are a few brands that have this.

Materials: Find a brand who uses high end materials, and not a lot of alloys. This will allow you to bend something back if needed.

Throttle: Everyone has their own preferences. Put a few in your hand and see how they feel to you. I personally like a (you guessed it) Pap throttle. They are simple, they have a cruise control feature, and they don’t feel like plastic as you power up.

Parts availability: This is important for both the motor and the frame. Because Vittorazi is so widely used, parts are very accessible, and you can usually have something at your door within the week.

Based on the information above, I’ll be looking for a:
Motor: Moster 185
Frame: I would like a light, sturdy frame
Harness: a comfortable harness, and some additional nice feature.

The Pap Tinox will be the ideal choice that will suit my needs and wants.


I hope this helps you find the motor that suits both your needs, and wants. Feel free to reach out for any additional questions or a gear consultation.