SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT: RICHA

This month we take an in-depth look at Belgian kit specialists Richa – tracking how they’ve gone from making gloves in the 50s to producing a whole host of top-quality motorcycling kit today.

Richa was established in 1952 by Charles Rigaux as a leather glove manufacturer. The company title dates from 1956 when Charles’ son Julien changed it, using the first letters of his father’s name.

A division for high-class leather clothing was established in 1965, with production of motorcycle kit commencing in the 1970s. A testament to its quality was Prince Albert of Belgium, an avid motorcyclist, who was a regular visitor to the factory for his leather jackets.

As styles and technology develop, Richa is continually expanding and adjusting its range. Key to its ethos of ‘Feel safe, feel good’, Richa uses top-quality materials and are active adopters of new safety technologies. Gore-Tex has been used in its gloves since 2011, with a licence being obtained to employ Gore-Tex across the range in 2015. Richa has also been an early adopter of products such as D3O armour, the C change waterproof membrane and SuperFabric.

A minimum thickness of leather from 1.1 to 1.3mm is used across Richa products. The textile range comes from a limited range of suppliers and Richa has one production location that manufactures 75% of the textile collection. It’s also worth mentioning that all Richa products are CE approved and carry a twoyear warranty.

As Richa rather lyrically puts it: ‘The landscape that slips by as you drive through it, the roaring of your engine, the wind that is your companion during every ride… Motorcycling gives you a feeling of ultimate freedom. That is why quality, fit and safety are so important to us; because freedom is a feeling you can only fully enjoy if your motorcycle gear is offering you the very best protection and comfort. It allows you to become one with your motorcycle, the elements and everything around you. Whether you are enjoying an adventurous tour or riding your motorcycle to work, Richa makes sure your ride is safe and comfortable.”

Richa is one of the oldest active companies in the motorcycle apparel industry and is still growing annually. A family company with a modern focused corporate structure, as it approaches its 70th anniversary, it’s still based in its original home of Oudenaarde, Belgium.