An airbag vest is brilliant right up until it's 30°C and you realise you're wearing a vest over a jacket. The Richa Force 2 D3O is a slim, armoured mesh layer built to sit under an outer shell — which makes it a natural partner for the Motoairbag MAB V4 when the weather turns hot.
Richa Force 2 D3O Jacket Review: At a Glance
Price
£159.99 (€199.99 RRP)
Protection
L1 D3O Stealth armour at shoulders, elbows and back; room for optional chest protectors
Best For
Hot-weather riding under an airbag vest or other outer layer
Where I Tried It
Worn under the Motoairbag vest on the R1250GS in warm weather
Pros & Cons
What's Good
Large AVS mesh panels keep air moving across the body — and the layer under an airbag vest is the one that decides whether you cook or not. AA rated.
Stretchy Rubex fabric and a close cut sit flat under the vest, so there's no bunching or extra bulk to upset the way the airbag fits.
Full L1 D3O armour at shoulders, elbows and back means the vest isn't your only protection — and the armour stays flexible until it's hit. Eay to upgrade to L2.
What's Not
Sizing can run small. You need room for a vest over the top, so check the fit carefully rather than guessing.
It's designed as a layering piece, not a standalone jacket — I treat it as a partner to the vest, not a replacement for a proper outer layer.
Richa doesn't list airbag-vest compatibility, so try it with your own vest before relying on the combination.
VERDICT
9 / 10
Airbag protection is only useful if you actually wear it, and heat is the main reason riders leave the vest at home. A slim, breathable, armoured base layer takes the sting out of that — which is exactly what the Force 2 does.
Try the jacket and vest together before buying either — the combined fit matters more than either size on its own. More on choosing protection in our motorcycle kit guide for returning riders, and for colder days see our Richa Cold Protect gloves review.
