Richa Orion GTX Jacket and Pants
Richa, headquartered in Belgium, started out in 1952 by making gloves. The company has since expanded to a full line of motorcycle gear for men and women. On our side of the pond, we don’t often come across a European brand other than the big Italian duo. That’s a shame. Richa should most certainly be in the consideration set for your next gear purchase.
Gear with a Purpose
When I accessorize a motorcycle, I want every piece to fulfill a specific role, to be compact, and to look good. The same applies to my riding gear. Just like I prefer my luggage to not flap in the wind, I want my jacket and pants to fit properly. I’m 6 feet, 2 inches with a long wingspan and weigh about 180 pounds. I ordered the Orion GTX set in Large and both fit like they were tailor-made. Wearing well-fitting gear provides better comfort and lets me move around naturally without extra fabric getting in the way.
The first thing I noticed when unpacking the gear was how light it was. The jacket especially was significantly lighter than any of my current ADV ones. At first glance, it looks pleasantly simple. You won’t find any bulky external pockets, reinforced shoulder areas, or even zipper flaps. I can don it on any bike, as the jacket goes with every riding style.
D3O Level 1 shoulder and elbow protectors are included, but chest and back protectors aren’t. That’s not a problem these days, because I wear an airbag vest under my jackets. I really think every rider should use one. I had just enough room for my Dainese D-Air vest, but I know newer vests are significantly slimmer. It’s important to note that you need a little room for an inflated vest if things go south.
The pants have a very European fit—great for long and slim legs. The silky pocket interior makes it easy to fish out earplugs and the bike key without pulling out the liner. Since I left the thermal liner in, the fit was a bit tight. However, after a week on the road, either the fabric stretched a little or I got used to the pants. Whatever broke in, even a 500-mile day in the saddle was no problem.
On the Road
I took my first big trip with the Richa gear in early October 2025. I rode from my home in North Carolina to Tennessee for the RoadRUNNER 25-Year Party and then journeyed on to Madison, IN, where I spent a few days exploring local roads, including the Serpent of 62.
Chilly mornings meant that I kept both thermal liners in. It’s funny how I used to never use those liners, but with this Richa gear, I’m actually happy to see them again. The laminated 2L Gore-Tex outer fabric kept me dry through multiple downpours in Indiana. The top-of-the-line waterproofing really helps when traveling long distances with limited luggage capacity. I didn’t have room for extras like rain gear, so knowing that I’d stay dry in the Orion GTX was comforting.
When the mercury finally rose in the afternoon, I opened the strategically placed ventilation zipper for welcome airflow. The vents are well placed, keeping the jacket and pants looking simple and classy. Spending several days on the road with all kinds of weather and road conditions also brought on quite a few bug splatters. The jacket is super easy to clean. There aren’t a bunch of seams where bug guts get stuck.
After almost 2,000 miles with the Orion GTX jacket and pants, it’s my new go-to set when heading out. The timeless look, proper fit, and right features won me over.
Richa Orion GTX Jacket and Pants
Jacket: $699.00
Colors: Black, orange/dark blue, blue, gray/hi-viz yellow
Sizes: S-6XL
Pants: $544.99
Colors: Black
Sizes: S-6XL