Teknic Corsair Motorcycle Touring Jacket

When touring on a motorcycle the old boy scout mantra comes in handy - "be prepared". You can never be certain when you are going to need rain gear, insulated gear, or the ability to open vents and allow cool air to flow in and hot air to escape. Having a jacket that is adaptable to the riding conditions is key. The Teknic Corsair covers all of these points and exceeds the rider's expectations. Let us take a closer look.

style

Looking flashy is something Teknic decided to forgo with the Corsair. With only one color option - black the jacket does not offer much in terms of styling - however, cut of the jacket is quite unique. The front zipper is off center and on a slight angle, making for a bit easier zip up or down.

A 'turtle neck' style collar makes for a more snug fit.

features

The amount of features on the Corsair are numerous:

The arms on this jacket are cut in way that are rotated 15 degrees forward, this allows for a more comfortable riding position.

Most touring jackets come with a quilted insulated liner - Teknic left the quilted liner in the 'stone age' and instead replaced it with a AluFoil removable liner. AluFoil is a form of aluminum that is woven into a fabric. What this does is provide excellent insulation by retaining a great amount of body heat.

All zippers on the Corsair are waterproof YKK zipper entries that have a storm flap which ensures the tab end of the zipper is tucked under a piece of covering material to ensure water does is not able to pass through.

A full circumference connection zipper can be used to combine a pair of Teknic pants for a full touring two piece suit.

In additional the removable AluFoil liner, a waterproof Powerskin HP® breathable liner can also be used. It is important to note the breathable factor here, as most waterproof liners are also air restricting, causing them to get hot and sweaty after a while. The breathable Powerskin HP® liner prevents this nuisance.

The outer shell has reinforced leather on the shoulders and elbows.

On non-impact areas, flexible Taslan material is used to allow ease of movement.

When the temperature starts to get hot, there are two 10 inch vents under the arms and two vents on the chest to allow cool air to flow into the jacket. On the rear of the jacket there is an upper back exhaust vent to allow hot air to escape.

When touring, large pockets come in handy to store change for tolls, keys, cellphones, and other items you may want easy access to. To accommodate this need, the Corsair has created a "Pack 'n' Go" storage compartment with two large front pockets. On the inside of the jacket a mesh pocket allows you to keep any papers you may need quick access to, such as a map. The document pocket has a Earphone grommet that you can fish a wire through. Need to wear a hat in-between rides to keep the sun off your head and out of your eyes? A pocket to fit a baseball cap is also employed!

As previously mentioned, the jacket has a 'turtle neck' like collar system that can be removed via a zipper.

Hook’n’loop upper & lower arm sync straps, as well as a wasit belt allow for a snug fit.

safety

Reflective 3M™ piping covers the key visible areas of the jacket to ensure you are seen by others.

The armor is CE approved and is found in the elbows and shoulders. A CE approved armored spine guard comes with the jacket. A move that most jacket manufacturers leave as an upgrade.

quality

The jacket utilizes the TASC™ stitch system. A high quality stitch that is durable.

Overall, the materials used to create the jacket are of high quality (YKK zippers, CE armor, etc).

show me the money

Having a jacket with so many features as the Corsair does come at an expense - the jacket retails for USD $399.99

overall

The Teknic Corsair is designed for the motorcycle rider who wants to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature may throw at them. The jacket can be transformed into a light summer jacket, or a heavy duty four season jacket (due to the AluFoil liner). We are impressed with the details this jacket brandishes, from the rain coverings over the zippers, to the large pockets, full circumference connection zipper - this jacket has everything the touring rider could need. With all of these features, we understand the hefty price tag - but we also know that the value the Corsair provides is more than worth the extra costs.

rating

• Style: 5/10
• Features: 10/10
• Safety: 8/10
• Quality: 8/10
• Price: 7/10
• Overall Value: 10/10