RST IOM TT Brandish 2 CE leather jacket | Comfortable and stylish both on and off the bike, but not spec’d for speed

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I’ve worn this leather jacket in a number of scenarios now, including in the baking heat of southern Spain on a bike launch, the less-than-boiling British springtime, with temperatures as low as 10 degrees at points.

However, it’s not a jacket for all four seasons, but rather a stylish cowhide item that majors on comfort, heritage and fashion.

I reckon it matches my Kawasaki Ninja 650 long-term test bike brilliantly, in that both things match colour-wise, but neither are really built for performance: they’re best suited to casual street riding.

Paired with a quality pair of riding jeans, you’ll certainly feel the part wearing the Brandish 2…

How comfortable is the RST TT Brandish 2 leather jacket?

This is a jacket that feels fantastic from before you put it on. The liner is a wonderful detail that I like very much, and it’s always a treat to fold my arms through it. The leather is soft and it has a pleasingly hefty feel without being too hot.

However, the only venting it’s got available is the zip up the front, so if that’s a consideration then you might need to look elsewhere.

It’s a stylish jacket, but is it practical?

For such a casual look, I think this jacket is more than practical enough. I can fit my (rather large) smartphone in the two zipped outer pockets, although I prefer using the inner ones for this job just for additional peace of mind. It seems slightly strange that only the left-hand inner pocket is zipped, though.

And I do miss belt loops. This jacket can tend to ride up my back a bit and separate from my jeans, meaning occasional unsightly underwear is on display. Sorry about that.

My only other minor gripe in the practicality stakes is the waist adjusters are a little too fiddly to use with gloves on, but that’s not a huge deal as far as I’m concerned.

Is this a good looking jacket?

I reckon this jacket’s a bit of a stunner. It’s beautifully finished, with plenty of retro charm and a neat embossed TT logo to denote it as part of RST’s TT Classics Collection line-up. I love the Petrol colour too – it nicely matches the Ninja 650’s green and black paintwork.

What about the quality of the leather?

I’ve got absolutely no qualms about the way this jacket is made. The leather is seriously soft and the zips are strong and well sown into the design.

Inside, the liner is a thing of beauty. This aspect of a jacket can really add feel-good vibes, and that’s absolutely the case here.

Does this jacket offer a good level of protection?

The CE certification for this jacket is AA, which means it’s almost the best for impact and abrasion resistance, but not quite (AAA is top). We recommend at least AA rating for faster street riding, although it’s not easy finding AAA items.

It comes with level 1 elbow and shoulder armour built in, but there’s no back protector as standard, which is a little disappointing. It does have a pocket for an optional one in the lining, though. There is no option for a chest protector.

Is the RST TT Brandish 2 good value for money?

This mid-level jacket doesn’t have a huge amount of features, instead majoring on style. Some of its rivals include the Richa Daytona 2, which I don’t think is as nice to look at. From this point of view, I find the RST TT Brandish 2 to be excellent value for money.

Another option is the Goldtop Bobber, which is more expensive but has a higher safety rating.

And there’s the Rev’It Restless leather jacket. It’s more of a retro-style jacket and is also more expensive.

My verdict on the RST IOM TT Brandish 2 CE leather jacket

I like this jacket a lot, but with a few caveats: it misses a removable liner or any venting for those sizzling summer days, and has what we’d consider adequate protection for faster street riding. However, as a comfortable item that feels as at home in the pub as on the bike, with pleasingly soft leather and a comfortable fit, you could do a lot worse.

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How MCN tests jackets

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our jackets to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

To find out if a jacket is worth spending your money on, our testers wear them in the way you will. In the case of this classic leather jacket, that means dry and mostly sunny days in the saddle, but if we’re testing waterproofs we head out in the rain.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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What our star ratings mean

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
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• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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