Icon Retro Daytona Jacket Review

[reg71]

Icon Retro Daytona Jacket Review

Buying a riding jacket can be as big a decision as a helmet, and with the number of selections out there today, you can spend $100-$1000 to get what you want. When the time came for a leather jacket for me, I tried on several at local shops to get the one that fit me.

Here's the bullets from the mfgr:

VINTAGE LEATHER TREATMENT
DURABLE 1.2MM 1.4MM LEATHER CHASSIS
EXCLUSIVE ICON STRAIGHT CUT BODY FOR A RELAXED FIT
CE APPROVED ELBOW/SHOULDER ARMOR
ZIPPERED INTAKE & EXHAUST VENTS FOR COOLING
REMOVABLE INSULATED LINER
STRATEGICALLY PLACED PERFORATED LEATHER FOR BREATHABILITY
SIDE EXPANSION VENTS

I narrowed my needs and wants down to Cost, Fit, Temperature, Style, Protection. Here's my take on the jacket.

Cost: First off, Damn! Right out of the gate, it's high. $450 from my dealer. Man that hurts. Nothing else to say there.

Fit: Fits me like a glove to use a cliche. Best fitting of the jackets I tried, but I have noticed that the collar seems to catch the back of my helmet sometimes when I turn my head. Not a major deal, but noticeable. I have a slim build but wide shoulders so fitting me through the arms can be problematic unless I get a jacket so large that I could put a pillow in the stomach area.

Temperature: I have ridden in temps down to 29 degrees with the jacket and liner and wearing a long sleeve shirt. No major problems with wind, but some air does get around the collar. On warmer days, the jacket gets hot! That's pretty expected from a heavy black leather jacket, though. Add in the armor and you can get right warm in there. Partially unzipping the jacket and opening the vents helps, but it is definitely not a cool (temp wise) jacket.

Style: This is where the Icon truly shines. That stressed leather is the bomb. I can wear this jacket on a sportbike or a cruiser and never look out of place. This jacket looks so good that I wouldn't hesitate to wear it out on the town if it wasn't so heavy to carry when not worn. The rugged look of the jacket also helps out if you ever do happen to crash while wearing it which I will elaborate on in the next paragraph.

Protection: I definitely feel well protected wearing this jacket. I had the umm...shall we say opportunity...to test out the protective level of this jacket. I took a lowside slide at about 30 mph less than a week after getting the jacket (lucky me right). The jacket performed well considering that I only had one scratch on me. At the junction of the sleeve of the jacket and my glove my wrist got dragged on the asphalt donating some skin to the cause. Something on the bike tore through the zipper on the shoulder vent and ripped the leather slightly. The zipper also broke but still works up to the point where one tooth came out.

Summary: I like the jacket. My wife got it for me for a gift so it's a good thing that I like it so much. I would never have paid that much myself just because it is A LOT! But, the style is unmistakeable. I enjoy wearing it and feel safe when I do, and that is worth quite a bit. I also like the fact, that I would be just as comfortable on a Harley with it as opposed ot a more traditional sportbike jacket.

daytona.jpgjacket back.jpg

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[cruzinaz]

I have the rwb Icon retro, it sounds the same as yours, no complaints here!

[VaRollOn]

That's a tight coat Reg.. I must admit my last Vanson to be a gift too! I never really ask for any gifts besides riding gear. Glad it didn't come apart on you, sounds like you hopped up pretty quick.

[DirtyDog]

Just got this jacket and love it. Not to rain on your parade but do some shopping. Got it new on e-bay for $299. I had to remove some of the goofy patches though.

[Jaymz]

sweet jacket Reg I like the skulls on the sleeves.

[mello dude]

Summary: I like the jacket. My wife got it for me for a gift so it's a good thing that I like it so much. I would never have paid that much myself just because it is A LOT! But, the style is unmistakeable. I enjoy wearing it and feel safe when I do, and that is worth quite a bit. I also like the fact, that I would be just as comfortable on a Harley with it as opposed ot a more traditional sportbike jacket.[/SIZE]

Great Wife!