Crash Tested: Richa Bonneville Jacket

RRP: £199.99 – £219.99 // Colours: Black, Green, Sand // Sizes: S – 6XL

If you’re looking for a stylish motorbike jacket that keeps you safe and dry out on two wheels then you could do a lot worse than the retro Bonneville jacket from Belgian bike brand Richa.

Although vintage in appearance, the Richa Bonneville jacket has all the modern technical features you would expect from a brand new motorcycle jacket. It is fashioned from high quality waxed cotton from the British Millerain Company, which offers a high level of abrasion resistance as well as the renowned waterproofing qualities – to which I can testify (it’s kept me bone dry in 
a downpour more than once). There 
is also a removable padded inner lining too, which makes this jacket even more versatile, suitable for all-year-round riding.

The jacket features CE approved five-piece armour in the back, shoulders and elbows – and having taking a tumble in the mountains of Italy recently, I can say with confidence that it’ll take care of care of you should the worst happen. Admittedly, I didn’t come off at any great speed – probably about 35mph – having pushed the weighty adventure bike I was riding to the limit of its lean angle, as I attempted to weave my way through a section of tight switchbacks on an Italian mountain road. My misguided confidence and a small patch of gravel caused me to come a cropper, as I dropped the bike and together we slid into the kerb. But, the jacket held up admirably, with the only damage being a small tear on the sleeve as a result of abrasion – but thankfully the fabric lining held strong, and kept my skin intact.

From a styling front, it harks back to the heady days of early motorcycling, and borrows a few features from the iconic Barbour International jacket 
– but comes in at a fraction of the price. It features a waist belt and buckle collar closure, a small Union Flag detail on the chest pocket, a corduroy collar lining, checked cotton inner and plenty of internal and external pockets for storage too. And now it’s got a few small scrapes and 
an embedded layer of fine grit from my Italian incident, it looks the real deal.

Priced at just under £200, it comes in at much lower price than anything you might be able to buy from Barbour, and it’s equipped with certified impact protection and a pretty impressive level of water resistance – so if you’re in the
market for a new bike jacket that you’re able to wear both on and off the bike, you could do a lot worse than the Bonneville from Richa. 
In fact, I’m tempted to get another, as I’ve consigned my damaged jacket to dirt duties in the future.

Tested by: Ross Mowbray // For more information visit: nevis.uk.com