CE Tests For Protective Motorcycle Gear

by Michael Olson August 8, 2023

Here's a list of what the CE tests for motorcycle gear are:

EN 17092 is for entire motorcycle protective garments. It has five test levels, covering three key zones of the garment – Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3, with samples tested on a Darmstadt machine that spins them at a set speed until they’re dropped onto a slab of control concrete where they slow to a stop. The Darmstadt machine releases the test sample at prescribed revolutions per minute and the pass/fail criteria is set by whether a hole appears in the test sample. No hole is permitted to be larger than 5mm in any dimension.

Classification AAA: The highest level, with the machine spinning at 707.4rpm (the velocity of the sample holder being equivalent to 120km/h) in Zone 1, at 442.1rpm (equivalent to about 75km/h) in Zone 2 and at 265.3rpm (equivalent to around 45km/h) in Zone 3.
Classification AA: More suited to touring gear, this specifies Zone 1 at 412.6rpm, 265.3rpm in Zone 2 and 147.4rpm (the equivalent of around 25kmh) in Zone 3.
Classification A: Deemed suitable for urban riding, with Zone 1 requiring 265.3rpm and 147.4rpm in Zone 2. There’s no requirement for abrasion resistance in Zone 3 materials.
Classification B is the same as A, but impact protectors are not required.
Classification C covers garments such as the mesh under-suits that have impact protection for off-road riding.

EN 1621-1:2012 – This covers the impact protectors worn over rider’s elbows, hips, knees and shoulders to provide some protection during impact with a hard object.
EN 1621-2:2014 – A second part to EN 1621, written to specifically cover back protectors.
EN 1621-4 2013 – Covers inflatable body protectors that are mechanically activated by a lanyard.
EN 13595:2002 – This covers jackets, trousers plus one-piece and two-piece suits. It has been formatted into four parts. Part 1 includes the requirements and the examination procedures of the clothing, while parts 2-4 describe the laboratory testing procedures for three of the specialized tests: impact abrasion, impact cut and burst strength.
EN 13634:2017 – The standard for motorcyclists’ footwear that draws on tests from the established industrial footwear standards together with specialised motorcycle type tests from EN 13595. The standard includes two levels of protection which are determined by the abrasion and cut resistance tests.
EN 13594:2015 – The standard for motorcyclists’ protective gloves which, like the footwear standard, is based on both general industrial and specialised motorcycle test procedures.
EN 14021:2003 – The standard for the specialized body protectors generally worn while riding off-road to protect against impact from lofted stones. The standard includes tests for design, dimensions, impact performance and ergonomics.