See also:
Adventure Spec Linesman
Adventure Spec Trail Waterproof Shell
Klim Overland
Aerostich Darien
Klim Traverse 2

Tested: Mosko Moto Basilisk 2021 jacket over a month in Morocco + wet winter’s weekend in UK

In a line: Smart looking, well vented with an eVent Expedition 3-layer membrane in a tough waterproof shell (since superseded by a newer model)

EU price: Was €475,20 (20% discount)

Weight: 1550g (verified)

Size tested: XL (me: 6ft 1in/186cm • 205lbs/93kg)

• Good combo or lightness and crash-ready ruggedness
• Tough Super Fabric® abrasive panels on outer arms and shoulders
• Sleeves are good and long
• Bicep vents work well (out in the breeze)
• Looks good in a pale olive green and black
• Vertical back vents work with a daypack

• Bulky sleeves obscure mirrors
• Would like an Aerostich-style big Napoleon pocket outside
Mesh-backed vents don’t open wide

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What they say:
Refined for our third round of production, the [discontinued 2021 Mosko Moto] Basilisk is our waterproof/breathable enduro-touring kit, for long-distance, multi-day trips through primarily off-road terrain. It combines super-premium materials with clean lines and minimalist design. With an articulated fit for freedom of motion and easy layering, the Basilisk is designed to work with separate armor systems for superior protection and versatility. It packs smaller than a traditional ADV jacket, for stashing on your bike when things get hot.

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Mosko have new Basilisks out for 2023 (right). Looks-wise, I prefer my more muted sage and black 2021. The new model has a front zip rain flap (good), additional vents on the forearms (OK) along with full length front torso vents. I can only see one exterior chest pocket. Other than the colour design, the rest seems similar.

Review
By the time I got to actually use my 2021 Basilisk they were bringing out a new model (see above), but here are my impressions after a hot, dry month’s riding in southern Morocco.
When it comes to jackets I prefer a light but reliably waterproof shell like my old Klim Overland, their original Traverse and lighter Traverse II. 
Mosko call these trail-biking or enduro jackets to separate them from heavier high-speed touring coats, but the Basilisk comes with a reassuringly heavy-duty shell under which you can layer and armour up all the way to an electric vest like their Ecotherm.

Second opinion by Ian T

When: End Dec full day road/trail ride.
Where: Wiltshire and Somerset 
Ambient temp: 12 deg C
Weather: heavy rain most of the day, windy. 

Pros:
Shape and fit to allow movement on the bike and extra layers.
Kept the rain out for most of the day, with a similar performance to the Darien pants worn on the same trip, considering the soaking from puddles and passing cars on flooded roads.
Reasonably warm with merino t-shirt, heated base layer and thick merino pullover underneath.
Adjustability is good.

Cons:
Could do with some more pockets. There were enough for keys, phone, wallet and spectacles but my Darien easily holds these as well as a balaclava, overgloves, travel wallet and visor de-mist.
Would it replace my Darien jacket? No, but maybe I’m stuck in my ways.

Features
The coloured shell is ’70d x 160d’ nylon with two layers of polyester 600D Super Fabric with ceramic plating across the black sections outer arms and which all contributes to the Basilisk’s heavy duty feel without making it a heavy jacket. Colourwise, I like the sage green and black combo. Anything’s better than dreary all black, but I do miss a bit of reflectivity for road riding.
It’s the little things that set a jacket apart from a bin bag with sleeves. The cuffs have a chunky velcro closure. Inside the hem is cinchable with a toggle easily accessed on the front left edge. The collar has a synthetic suede liner and another cinch cord toggle at the back. There’s also an in-built ‘dirt skirt‘ you can join up with studs to seal off the jacket’s lower edge with help from a stretchy silicone band, keeping the core warm which maintaining the shell’s articulation. Other snug fitting adjustments include two big and easily adjusted velcro flaps on the sides to help haul the belly in.

To get the air flowing in the warmer conditions I experienced, the Basilisk has three pairs of mesh-backed vents: a set in the upper arms; another pair at chest height neatly in line with the zip pockets, and two exhaust vents at the back. In my experience this set up works best for through-flow to cool you off while keeping the jacket zipped up and wearing a daypack. But in overly warm southern Morocco the small screen on the 890R I rode most of the time reduced the airflow on the body. The vents’ mesh backing reduced the aperture too, so standing up was the only way to get some venting going unless I undid the main zip. Apart from a couple of chilly mornings in the mountains, I rode with all vents open all the time.

Pockets add up to two exterior vertical zip-ups above the hem (deep enough to be secure of left unzipped) and two small chest pockets inside. I miss a huge map-sized vertical zip exterior chest pocket, as on the Aerostich Darien and as pictured on the 2023 model.

All exterior zips are chunky YKK Aquaguards but once desert dust gets on them they get stiff to operate; probably the price of being water resistant. A daily wipe with a wet cloth would fix that, but the 2023’s rain flap will keep the dust off.
The Basilisk doesn’t include any pockets for armour. I’m with Mosko on this. If you’re serious about body armour (for my sort of riding, I’m not) then get one of those close-fitting strap-on MX body armour outfits which work best close to your body (ie: under the jacket).

If I’ve one complaint it’s that the sleeves are too bulky so the stiff shell obscures the mirrors’ rear view; I could easily get my legs down these sleeves! I spend a lot of time checking my mirrors on the occasions I’m leading a group, and pulling them in greatly improved rear visibility. Maybe there are XL riders with huge arms, but the simple solution for all would be a velcro cinch strap or two to draw the slack in, like Aerostich do on the Darien and Klim did on the old Overland.

I don’t have a bike in the UK right now but when I get to ride the Basilisk in the pouring rain I’ll update the review.