A jacket that promises versatility, like the Scorpion Sports Yosemite model tested here, has a lot to live up to. And it requires a lot of touring for a thorough checkout. A three-day ride to Nevada on our long-term Versys 1000 LT through weather ranging from hot and dry to cold and drenching got things going. Happy with its performance, I chose the Yosemite for a 10-day journey on my BMW F 800 GS that included the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route. Monsoon rains and desert heat marked that trip, but the climate inside the jacket remained dry and comfortable.
Scorpion sews the Yosemite’s shell from 500-denier nylon, applying heavier 1680-denier nylon over the impact zones; overall construction is excellent. The microfiber-lined collar closes with a non-adjustable hook-and-loop tab. Liberal use of hook-and-loop throughout the jacket—cuff closures, storm flap, cargo pocket flaps and more makes for quick adjustments and sealing, but the loopy patches on the cuffs often stick to the hooks on the pocket and storm flaps, holding my arm hostage. Annoying, yes; a deal breaker, no (or the Yosemite would have stayed in California).
Breezing through a hailstorm in 38 degrees with just the zip-in rain liner installed, I was chilly but dry; full comfort returned when the temperature climbed to the high 40s. I’d left the thermal liner at home because the jacket is too tight in the arms for me with both liners zipped in. The stiff all-weather vent zippers in the sleeves and the large molded anchors for the armor straps caused their own elbow binding, but that relaxed as the Yosemite received more use. Armor is top notch and unobtrusive: CE-approved Sas-Tec pads for the shoulders and forearms, all riding under additional sewn-in padding. I sourced the optional CE Sas-Tec back protector ($39.95), a thick but comfortable and confidence-inspiring addition.
This is a well-ventilated jacket. Mesh panels at the chest double as pockets until you zip down the interior windproof panels (which store in handy sleeves) to let in the breeze. A large rear panel also zips off to reveal a mesh vent. Full-length sleeve vents bring in loads of air; their weakness is the weatherproof zippers wanting to snag tight on the underlying mesh. Finally, two side vents feed air to your core.
There’s enough storage on board to keep things at hand without turning you into a pack mule. My camera rode in a front cargo pocket through several days of rain without getting wet, and the rain liner offers another waterproof pocket. There’s also a large tail pocket, de rigueur on adventure wear these days, but stuffing anything into one makes a jacket uncomfortable for me. Missing are handwarmer pockets, a must for sitting around camp on a cold morning.
I like the Yosemite’s moderate hi-viz color scheme, which my Colorado group said made me easy to spot from front or rear, rain or shine. Scorpion also offers the Yosemite in black, sand and red, in sizes S-3XL. The price is $389.95 ($404.95 for 2XL and 3XL), a good deal for a high quality, versatile jacket.
For more information: Call (888) 672-6774 or visit scorpionusa.com.
Have the jacket (and the bike). It’s a great jacket, my only niggle is I think it runs small in it’s sizing. I also have the pants, those definitely run small. I’m not a slender guy, but I’m not huge either and had to go 2XL on the pants.
However, the two combined make for great distance riding wear.