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ADV ProductsADV Riding GearNew Gear Tested: Mosko Moto Basilisk Jacket and Pants

New Gear Tested: Mosko Moto Basilisk Jacket and Pants

We test Mosko's new enduro touring suit for long-range off-road travelers.

Published on 09.03.2019
The blog post on Mosko Moto’s website announcing themselves as a company and declaring that they planned to produce “better moto luggage” is dated September 20, 2013. That means they went from being two guys in a garage with a vision, to one of the leading motorcycle luggage companies in just about five years. Let that sink in, and as if their luggage aspirations weren’t enough, they decided to tackle an apparel line as well simultaneously. 
When you’ve already revolutionized one facet of the motorsports establishment, why not do it again, right?  Apparel was something Mosko started talking about as early as 2014, candidly cataloging their journey (as with their other products) in the form of regular blog posts. What they expected to be a complicated project proved to be even more arduous than anticipated. Countless rounds of samples, factory changes, and design overhauls pocked the process but never dissuaded their resolve. 
eVent waterproof breathable abrasion resistant fabric
The Basilisk jacket and pants use a material called eVent that is highly abrasion-resistant, breathable and waterproof up to 100 feet of water pressure.

Now, several years later, they finally have something to show for their efforts, and they are rightfully excited. I was eager to get my hands on the new Basilisk Jacket & Pants combo to see what the first offering from this young company would look like and to find out how it would stack up against offerings from established competitors. 

First Impressions

As soon as I opened the box containing the Basilisk Jacket & pants I knew that it was a different breed from the riding gear I was accustomed to. The jacket came with a custom hanger, and it was packaged in an actual garment bag emblazon with the Mosko Moto logo. The finish of the suit reminded me of a high-end mountaineering piece with all of the minute attention to detail I’ve come to expect from this brand. The bodies of both garments are comprised of a waterproof/breathable fabric called eVent Expedition with SuperFabric abrasion-resistant overlays in impact zones, laced together with YKK Vislon zippers. 

Mosko Moto Basilisk review
The jacket’s large mesh-lined vents on the chest, shoulders and back flow air directly to and from the body.

Features that I’d never seen on any motorcycle garments included a “Dirt Skirt” which was obviously inspired by a powder skirt in a snow sport jacket, hook & loop adjustments in the love handle region of the jacket to account for layering up/down, and built-in extensions on the pant legs that when unzipped add an additional two inches of length (not that I needed it). Other uncommon but useful features came in the form of a thick leather belt, adjustable closure at the waist with clasps instead of a button or snaps, and quick release cinch strap adjustment at the hem & collar.


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To understand The Basilisk, you need to realize that it is a system, not an ordinary riding jacket or pants. Both top and bottom were designed to be worn over independent body armor – the kind typically used by enduro riders. This is Mosko’s solution to altogether remove integrated armor that doesn’t always stay in place when you fall.  

Mosko Moto Basilisk Jacket collar
A way to secure the collar open for more airflow to the neck and chest would be a welcome feature on warm days.

The recipe starts with a base layer of your choosing, and then you add body armor in whatever flavor or quantity you prefer, a jersey goes on the torso with the option of a mid-layer, and finally the Basilisk Jacket & Pants complete the dish.

The advantage of this method is adaptability; being able to fine-tune your temperature with several stages of layering. To begin with, the Basilisk Jacket has six large mesh-lined vents along the chest, shoulders and back that move significant air (excluding the forearms). The pants include six direct vents as well, with the inclusion of big thigh vents, exhaust vents that extend from the waist to the knee, and ingenious inside knee vents that did a great job of cooling armor-clad legs. 

Venting scheme on the Mosko Moto Basilisk Pant.
Big thigh vents, exhaust vents, and inside knee vents did a great job of keeping the lower extremities cool.

Then, of course, when things heat up considerably or get strenuous off-road, you can lose the jacket altogether and ride with just an armored jersey. Since the jacket isn’t as bulky as most moto jackets, it stores easily in the top of a pannier or under the beavertail of Mosko Moto bags. As a whole, the design is clean with no fat on the bone and functionality put front & center. 

How They Performed

While testing the Basilisk in the famously unpredictable weather of the Pacific Northwest, conditions did not disappoint. On any given day it wasn’t uncommon to start riding in the morning with temperatures hovering in the 40’s, cresting 80 degrees in the mid-afternoon with a possible mercury landslide and ensuing deluge, before finally sinking into the 50’s by the evening. This was the perfect environment for this suit, and it shined with every swing of the weather pendulum. 

Testing the Mosko Moto Basilisk suit in the PNW.

With all the vents open, top & bottom, airflow was substantial and enough to keep comfortable in the heat as long as you were in motion. But I did notice that there was no feature to secure the jacket collar open for airflow to the neck, and no venting on the forearms.  Although, whenever the surface wasn’t paved and the temps were warm, the jacket was coming off to enjoy uninhibited airflow. 

Conversely, if temperatures were cooler, partially or fully closing all vents worked sufficiently for stopping airflow until I would finally add a mid-layer to maintain comfort.  When things got cold, wet, & windy (And they certainly did!), the fully seam-sealed eVent Expedition material performed as advertised maintaining watertight integrity. 

Tidy up your love handles with the large Velcro strap on the Mosko Moto Basilisk jacket.
Mosko Moto Basilisk Jacket
Velcro flaps along the sides of the jacket let you customize the fit to match the bulk of your armor and base layers

Mosko Moto claims that the Basilisk is the only air-permeable waterproof motorcycle jacket on the market.Without trying to substantiate or discredit those claims, I can only comment that the climate inside the jacket never felt clammy when exposed to internal (sweat) or external (precipitation).

I imagine designing these pieces around an entire range of armor was a living nightmare -, taking that into consideration the fit is good. They addressed a wide range of fitment with hook & loop adjustments at the sides, length extensions on the legs and large openings at the ankle with adjustable hook & loop (aka Velcro) closures. At 5’ 10’’ with a 32” waist & 30” inseam and athletic build both pieces fit better than they rightfully should, partially because I don’t have to contend with floating armor. 

Mosko Moto Basilisk pants included belt.
The Basilisk pants come with a belt to ensure a comfortable fit around the waist.

The Basilisk pants are long on me even by moto standards, but with the combination of their deep crotch and practical leather belt, the fit was great compared to most other over the boot pants I’ve tested. The jacket is made for bulky armor and a wide spectrum of layering, but with the love handle adjustments and hem cinches, it felt like I could achieve a custom fit no matter what I was wearing underneath. Both jacket and pant have ample space for activities and unobstructed range of motion that never impeded my riding.  

When it came time for crash testing, I didn’t have to wait long (regularly pushing the limits on KTM’s new 790 Adventure R, I often come up short on talent and pay the price). The front end came out from under me in a gravel corner traveling at approximately 35mph and I proceeded to use my elbow as an anchor while the bike spun 180 degrees with me in tow. After I stood up and the dust cleared, I was amazed that I hadn’t put a hole  in any area of the jacket and pants I slid on. The same thing happened after going over the handlebars in a silty rain rut. That time I landed in rocks but still no significant signs of wear. Both times my Leatt body armor did precisely what it was supposed to, exactly where it was supposed to, which might not have been the case with floating armor.

Velcro cuff on the Mosko Moto Basilisk Jacket.

After logging 3,000 miles in a short period while testing this suit, it greatly exceeded my expectations. Mosko did a great job with their initial apparel offering and the promise shown here in version 1.0 has us excited for what could be coming in the future. 

Who Are They For?

The Basilisk is truly an enduro TOURING setup, perfect for dedicated rides but maybe not the best solution for commuting or mobbing around town. Most riders would likely prefer to throw on a jacket with baked in armor on a day-to-day basis instead of taking the extra steps of armoring up with a jersey just for a quick trip to the grocery store. Enduro-style armor also isn’t the most comfortable to wear for long-range travel on the highway.

Mosko Moto Basilisk review
You can take the jacket off on hot days and easily stash it away, and still be protected off-road by body armor underneath.

If that’s not the riding you do, as in my case, then this could be an ideal system. For more aggressive riders, the benefits of The Basilisk are significant: always knowing that your armor will be right where it’s supposed to be in the event of a get-off and being able to better regulate the temperature in ever-changing conditions. For the adventure rider that spends a lot of time in challenging terrain, and is privy to a wide spectrum of weather & temperatures, this setup is ideal.  

Our Verdict

It’s hard not to be impressed by this initial apparel offering by Mosko Moto. They approach everything from an outsider’s angle and are willing to take risks with an unapologetic attitude that allows them to develop products that are often ahead of the curve. This isn’t just another jacket and pants, it’s a new way of thinking. 

Mosko moto adventure suit.

While some might consider the $1,100 price tag a bit steep for an Enduro Jacket and Pants, you have to consider the premium abrasion protection the Basilisk suit includes that you don’t normally find in enduro gear. In fact, enduro gear typically doesn’t include any kind of abrasion protection that will protect you in a high-speed slide on the street. Some may also be skeptical about paying this much for a waterproof suit that doesn’t carry the Gore-Tex brand, but there are other high-performance waterproof materials out there that don’t get the same attention. Mosko Moto’s new take on venting and fit adjustment is also very effective at optimizing comfort.

The Basilisk’s value lies in its versatility and simplicity. Riding gear is like motorcycle selection in that you can’t possibly be perfectly comfortable in every scenario, but The Basilisk is just about as close as it comes to being a universal fit.

What We Liked

  • The versatility of being able to regulate body temperature in a wide range of conditions.
  • Simplistic styling reminiscent of a high-end mountaineering garment.
  • Use of robust products like YKK Vislon zippers, SuperFabric panels, and eVent material. 

What Could Be Improved?

  • Lower arm venting would complete the airflow on the jacket.
  • A fit adjustment feature that would allow you to reduce some of the bagginess in the arms.
  • Pant legs run a little long even when leg extensions are not used.
  • Some way of securing the collar open would aid in airflow to the neck and chest. 

Mosko Moto Basilisk Specs

COLORS: Jacket (Sage Green or Charcoal), Pant (Black)
SIZES: Jacket (SM-XXL), Pant (30-38 waist)
PRICE: Jacket ($599), Pant ($499)

Shopping Options

JacketPants

Author: Spencer Hill

“The Gear Dude” has been fueling his motorcycle addiction with adventure since first swinging his leg over a bike in 2010. Whether he’s exploring his own backyard in the Pacific Northwest or crisscrossing the United States, Spencer is always in search of scenic off-road routes, epic camping locations and the best gear possible. He began writing shortly after taking up two-wheel travel to share his experiences and offer insight with his extensive backpacking, camping and overland background.

Author: Spencer Hill
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Lee Mychajluk
Lee Mychajluk
September 3, 2019 11:21 am

I bought the jacket early in June after trying it on at a rally. I tend to buy pants in ‘short’ sizes, though, and as such, the pants were WAY too long for me, so I didn’t buy them along with the jacket.

You’re review is dead on on the following:
– As a jacket for use while on the bike for a day it’s great, but as mentioned, the ‘layered’ system isn’t quite ideal for use around town or on a day-to-day basis. Not sure how well it’s going to work once I have to add a thermal layer back in over/under the armor. I’m back to looking at jackets w/ integrated armor for day-to-day use.
– Also as mentioned, arm venting could’ve been a bit better. It’s still a bit stuffy once you get into the high 80s. When I got caught in the rain, I did have a little water work it’s way into the arm vents… not sure if I just didn’t have them fully closed, but I don’t think they’re waterproof like the other zippers.
– The collar is one of my peeves as well. It it was a bit higher, I think it could be folded down easier in warmer conditions, then flipped up and tightened in cooler / wetter weather.

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