Kushitani KS-2000
What is waterproof, has a zip-out liner, is made out of a combination of two layers of Cordura, a Reissa membrane and strategically placed patches of leather, has nine pockets, CE body armor, lots of snaps and Velcro and is amazingly comfortable to wear? If you are thinking something out of the Victoria Secret's catalogue, then get your mind back on motorcycling. I'm referring to Kushitani's new KS-2000 Cordura All-Weather Jacket.
When the Kushitani sales representative stopped by our humble offices I was expecting to view something that might turn a rider into Colin Edwards, Doug Polen or Kevin Schwantz, or at least in appearances anyway.
Properly fastened, no air or water should pass through an otherwise potential source of leaks.
When he brought out their new textile three-quarter length jacket, admittedly I was less than enthusiastic. You see, last year I personally purchased my first textile jacket; a Firstgear Sirocco three-quarter length jacket that spends more time hanging in the closet than being worn. My short lived and expensive experience found it to be uncomfortably stiff resulting in a bulge in the midsection and a very chaffed neck. I was extremely disappointed, as I have worn my Hein Gericke leather jacket for seven comfortable years. So when I was asked to write the product review for the Kushitani product, I figured Hypertex, Cordura, they both textile jackets so what's the difference. Well, thankfully in this case a very big one.
Since it wasn't raining outside I couldn't get a real world test of Reissa membrane. This is the stuff that makes it wind and waterproof on the outside and also allows moisture to pass through from the inside and away from your skin. So, I decided to do what I could. In this case, I stood in the shower for five minutes. This is as scientific as I could get and the only water that got me was the water that rolled off my head and down my neck and of course below my thighs which were unprotected. I admit I felt pretty silly but this was after all in the interests of our readers, who want to know this stuff. Anyway, my family got a pretty good laugh.
You say you need pockets, well there are two interior and seven exterior pockets, including one for your cell phone and two just for a place to rest your hands. There's even a large one in the back for whatever suits your fancy. There's CE approved urethane armor in the shoulders, forearms and elbows and a foam back protector. Nothing personal, but I chose not to try the armor out in an actual field test. I'll leave that type of testing to the lab rats. For those of you who ride a lot at night, you'll be glad to know that there is 3M Scotchlite reflective material on the front, back and sleeves. I'd like to see a little more than one pinstripe on the back, but I'm a believer that you can never be too visible.
More by Philip Strauss
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