Jacket review: Richa Daytona 2 tried and tested

Richa Daytona 2 leather jacket
Richa Daytona 2 leather jacket
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The Richa Daytona 2 is a cool, retro-style leather jacket that’s ideal for cruising to the pub on a summer’s evening or getting your classic bike out from the back of the garage.

Belgium-based Richa have been producing protective motorcycle kit since 1952, so they know a thing or two about stitching pieces of leather together. Their Daytona 2 jacket oozes retro-cool, yet is bang up to date with D3O armour, a dedicated mobile phone pocket and a detachable thermal liner. MCN’s Senior Production Editor Simon Brown has been putting one to the test.

Tested by Simon Brown for four years, 4,000 miles.

Price: £376.99
Amazon

Description

No matter how much we might like to pretend otherwise, we all want to look as good as we possibly can on our bikes – and that is one of the key reasons I love this Richa jacket. Few jackets I’ve tried have drawn as many admiring comments, and I even fitted in just fine wearing it at a recent Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (yes, I know it’s not tweed but I like to be smart and protected at the same time).

Pros

  • • Looks
  • • Durability
  • • Value

Cons

  • • Shame it's only CE A rated
  • Quality 4/5
  • Value 4/5
Richa Daytona 2 leather jacket

That said, a jacket can look as smart as you like but it’s no good if it doesn’t work well on the bike, so I am pleased to report a few complaints with the Daytona. I mostly wear it on my retro Ducati Scrambler FT (and also on the Café Racer version I had on test a few years back) and the jacket proves comfortable for long hours in the saddle.

There are no fancy zip-open vents but there is a thermal lining you can add or remove to suit conditions. The main zip and pocket zips are chunky YKK items and there is also the facility to attach the jacket onto jeans using a short connecting zip. The collar fastens securely with a popper while there is a zip and popper adjustment at the cuffs. With the jacket being part of my fair-weather kit, I usually combine it with shortie gloves which tuck under the cuff with no problem. Getting longer gloves over the cuff is a minor faff and spoils the optics somewhat (although this is a minor niggle).

Richa Daytona 2 leather jacket

In terms of protection, the Daytona benefits from D30 armour at the elbows and shoulder and there is a D30 back protector too. It’s reassuring to know that it is there and doesn’t detract from the comfort in any way – D30 armour is softer and more flexible than most but does the job when required and has the CE certification to prove it. While on the subject, the Daytona is CE Approved to the basic A rating which is fine for the price although it would be nice to see it meet one of the higher safety standards.

Construction and quality are good. It’s not a jacket I wear every day but I have been using it for several years now and nothing has frayed or broken, while the leather still feels supple and looks great. Squished insects can be a pain to clean off the fairly natural finish on the leather, so my advice is to wipe them off before they have a chance to really bake in.

Richa Daytona 2 leather jacket

Richa describes the colour as brown, but I would say tan is a closer description. It might not suit all tastes but it also comes in black. There is a very wide range of sizing available, but it is worth noting that the two largest sizes are slightly more expensive at £329.99 as opposed to £299.99 for the smaller/regular choices.

More retro-styled leather jackets

Description

This retro sports-styled jacket boasts a premium cowhide leather construction that earns it a AA CE rating. CE-approved armour comes pre-installed at the shoulder and elbow, plus there's also a pocket for a back protector. Four external and one internal pocket give plenty of options for stashing your stuff.

Description

This elegantly designed jacket is cut for the female form and features a super soft leather construction. AA-rated with D30 shoulder and elbow armour, it has a pocket for an optional D30 back protector and even zip attachment points for Furygan's airbag system. A removable thermal lining is included to help regulate temperature.

Description

A retro design that harks back to those early, halcyon days of motorcycling, for a classic look that's packed with modern safety tech. Elbows and shoulders get CE-approved NP-Flex protectors, there's provision for a back protector and a full-length zip for connecting to jeans. Three outers and two inner pockets for personal bits and a removable thermal lining.

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Simon Brown

By Simon Brown

MCN Senior Production Editor