Honda and Ixon Debut Collaborative 2027 Riding Gear Collection at EICMA
March 2027 dealer rollout + CE Level 2 armor with direct membrane lamination + Honda partners with France's Ixon to build factory riding gear that actually works in European downpours.
Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.
Honda and French technical apparel manufacturer Ixon have officially unveiled their comprehensive collaborative riding gear lineup at EICMA in Milan, targeting a global commercial rollout across Honda dealer networks in March 2027. Rather than slapping corporate wing logos on generic catalog shells, the multi-year partnership integrates Ixon’s competition-tested safety architecture and weatherproofing membranes directly with the ergonomic demands of Honda’s street, track, and adventure machines.
The collection is spearheaded by two flagship offerings: the Odin four-season adventure jacket and trouser system engineered for Africa Twin and Transalp travelers, and the Vortex 3 leather race suit developed for riders piloting the Honda Overhauls 2027 CBR600RR and Fireblade platforms.
The Odin Adventure Suite: Real Weatherproofing for Big-Mileage Routes
For backcountry scouts and all-weather touring riders, the Odin setup tackles the perennial European problem of changeable mountain climates. Built on a heavy-duty, high-tenacity polyester chassis reinforced with ripstop panels across the shoulders and elbows, the jacket utilizes a laminated waterproof and breathable membrane rated at 10,000 mm hydrostatic head with a 10,000 g/m²/24h breathability index.
Key technical features integrated into the Odin adventure chassis include: - Modular Climate Management: Features a removable thermal liner packed with 120g body insulation and 80g sleeve fill, combined with oversized magnetic chest ventilation flaps that direct ram-air cooling across the torso on hot valley transfers. - Armor & Certification: Fully CE Level 2 certified under EN 17092-3:2020 (Class AA), equipped with Ixon’s proprietary Fanom hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow armor that uses an open cellular lattice structure to maximize airflow without adding bulk. - Ergonomic Integration: Pre-curved sleeves with forearm and bicep volume adjusters prevent high-speed buffeting, while an integrated rear connecting zipper pairs directly to the matching Odin waterproof trousers.
“Our riders cross the Alps in morning frost and drop into Mediterranean heat waves by afternoon. Partnering with Ixon allowed us to engineer riding suits that match the long-haul durability and weather protection of our adventure motorcycles.” — Honda Motor Europe Accessories Division.
Vortex 3: MotoGP Heritage in Factory HRC Livery
At the trackday end of the spectrum, the Vortex 3 race suit brings Grand Prix-developed crash protection to privateer racers. Cut from supple 1.2mm to 1.4mm premium cowhide, the suit is presented in Honda’s official HRC racing livery (Grand Prix Red, White, and Blue).
The suit incorporates hard-anodized external dual-density ODA sliders at the shoulders and elbows, knee pucks with replaceable composite caps, and extensive four-way Kevlar-reinforced stretch fabric along the inner arms, crotch, and calves. Crucially, the Vortex 3 is cut with engineered expansion gussets specifically designed to accommodate autonomous wireless electronic airbag systems (including Ixon’s In&motion Airbag system and universal chest vests) without restricting chest expansion during rapid deployment.
Technical Comparison: Honda x Ixon Odin vs. Premium Adventure Gear
| Feature | Honda x Ixon Odin Suite | KLIM Dakar GTX System | Rev’it! Defender 3 GTX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis Material | High-Tenacity Polyester & Ripstop | 840D Cordura & Karbonite Micromesh | Ripstop Nylon & PWR|Shell 750D |
| Waterproof Technology | Laminated 10K/10K Membrane | 2-Layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell | 3-Layer GORE-TEX Removable Liner |
| CE Impact Armor | Fanom Level 2 (Shoulders/Elbows/Knees) | Rogue Level 1 (Shoulders/Elbows/Knees) | Seeflex Level 2 (Shoulders/Elbows/Knees) |
| Airbag Compatibility | Engineered for Tech-Air & In&motion | Universal Over-Jacket Fitment | Internal Pocket for Tech-Air 5 |
| Ventilation | Magnetic Chest Flaps & Sleeve Zips | Direct Sleeve & Bicep Zippers | VCS Aquadefence Magnetic Panels |
| Target Retail Price | €499 (Jacket) / €349 (Pants) | €580 (Jacket) / €420 (Pants) | €699 (Jacket) / €479 (Pants) |
The Rider’s Trade-Off
The primary compromise with the Honda x Ixon Odin suite lies in its membrane configuration. At €499 for the jacket, Honda and Ixon opted for a bonded drop-liner membrane rather than a premier three-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate seen on elite €1,200 travel suits like the KLIM Dakar GTX. While the 10,000mm rating easily handles four hours of steady autumn drizzle, riders facing 12 hours of relentless Atlantic storm riding will eventually notice the outer fabric holding surface moisture (wetting out) before drying out overnight.
However, by avoiding four-figure boutique price tags, Honda and Ixon have created a genuinely accessible, CE Class AA touring suit that undercuts the standalone adventure market while offering factory-backed fit, finish, and aesthetic cohesion.
The complete collection—including Odin ADV gear, Vortex 3 leathers, and Striker 2 urban textiles—arrives in European Honda showrooms in March 2027.
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Official product page: https://www.ixon.com/en/honda-collaboration-collection-2027
Reporting via: visordown.com, motorfreaks.nl, canariasenmoto.com
