Back to JournalWhat do CE Motorbike Certifications Mean?
Date
Category
Saftey
Reading Time
7 min
Whether you’re buying your first bike, or preparing a trip around the world, it’s easy to be tempted to buy anything labeled ‘protective’ and focus on the style instead.
You wouldnt be the first, and we certainly dont think you should compromise on the style - but if the time comes to put your gear to the test, you might wish you’d chosen something with a higher rating.
For garments to qualify as protective motorcycle gear, they undergo independent laboratory testing to determine their safety rating. These facilities measure life saving factors such as abrasion resistance, seam durability, and tear strength.
In the UK and EU, testing follows the EN 17092 Standard, which divides the body into specific zones. Each zone has unique protection requirements based on the level of risk, and the clothings results determine its rating. Understanding the difference in these ratings, can quite literally save your life.
All Motorbike Protective Clothing is not Born Equal.
Varying Results
Before being approved, every style and colour variation of protective clothing undergoes rigorous testing to meet safety and quality standards. All products must Pass the fundamental tests, include the analysis of chemicals used in garment production to ensure they are skin-friendly (Innocuousness Test) and assessing the Ergonomic Fit.
Certain tests like the Impact Abrasion Resistance Tests feature varying acceptable grades, provide valuable insights to help you select protective clothing that best suits your riding style.
Impact Abrasion Resistance Test
To simulate real-world crash scenarios, an AART Machine (Advanced Abrasion Resistance Tester) uses a rotating abrasive drum on the materials to simulate an abrasive slide. The revolution speed a garment can withstand determines its categorisation, and any hole bigger than 5 mm when testing equates to a failure.
Results:
A - 265 Revolutions per minute
AA - 412 Revolutions per minute
AAA - 707 Revolutions per minute
Tear Strength Test
In this test, a pre-slit piece of fabric is subjected to force to determine how much pressure is required to extend the tear. The goal is to ensure that if the garment is punctured by a sharp object, the material resists further tearing, maintaining its integrity and protection.
Results
A - 35 Newtons
AA - 40 Newtons
AAA - 50 Newtons
Seam Strength Test
Seam strength measures the amount of force, in Newtons, needed to tear a seam apart. This test is especially vital for key connection points, such as the shoulder seam where the arm joins the body.
A - 35 Newtons
AA - 40 Newtons
AAA - 50 Newtons
Dimensional Stability Test
To guarantee garments maintain their fit and keep protectors securely in place, they undergo rigorous testing in an industrial fabric-testing machine. Washed five times under tightly controlled conditions where water speed, spin cycles, and temperature are precisely regulated, any shrinkage beyond 5% results in an automatic fail.
The Final Classification
Garments are then categorised based on their final test results, ranging from the entry-level C rating, which offers minimal protection, to the top-tier A range, representing the highest standards of safety and durability. All our garments are designed to provide both impact and abrasion protection, incorporating D3O® Ghost™ limb protectors to enhance rider safety.
Understanding what your gear protects you against is crucial when making a purchase. For track racing or trail riding, your priorities may differ, focusing on specific performance needs. However, when selecting protective motorcycle clothing for everyday wear, versatility should be the top priority, ensuring you’re prepared for any situation.
| Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| AAA / AA / A | Protects against impacts and abrasion. |
| Class B | Products only offer protection against abrasion. |
| Class C | Reserved for garments which only hold protectors in place. |
