What Is CE-Rated Motorcycle Armor? (EN 1621 Explained)
CE-rated motorcycle armor is impact protection that has been laboratory-tested against a European safety standard and certified, rather than simply marketed as protective. For limb protectors the standard is EN 1621-1; for back protectors it is EN 1621-2. In both, a striker hits the armor and the lab measures how much force gets through to your body, in kilonewtons (kN). Less force through means better protection, and that single number is what separates Level 1 from Level 2.
Key takeaways
- CE means certified to a tested European standard, not a marketing word a brand can simply claim.
- EN 1621-1 covers limb armor (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees); EN 1621-2 covers back protectors.
- Armor is graded by force transmitted in kN: lower is better, and Level 2 lets through about half of Level 1.
- Limb and back protectors use different kN scales, so a Level 2 elbow and a Level 2 back are not the same test.
- EN 17092 (AAA / AA / A / B / C) rates the garment, which is a separate thing from the armor inside it.
In this guide
What “CE-rated” actually means
In Europe, motorcycle protective gear is classed as personal protective equipment (PPE), and anything sold as protection has to be tested and certified before it can carry the CE mark. That is the important part: a CE mark is not a brand saying its foam feels thick. It means samples went to an independent test house, were hit under controlled conditions, and met a published pass mark.
So when a jacket lists “CE Level 2 elbow protectors,” it is making a specific, checkable claim: those protectors passed EN 1621-1 at Level 2. Foam pads with no certification may be comfortable, but nobody has measured what they do in an impact.
EN 1621-1 vs EN 1621-2: two standards, two jobs
Riders often assume there is one armor standard. There are two, and they are not interchangeable.
EN 1621-1
Limb protectors
Shoulders, elbows and forearms, hips, knees and shins. These are the pads that live in the pockets of your jacket and trousers.
Level 1: ≤ 35 kN average
Level 2: ≤ 20 kN average
EN 1621-2
Back protectors
The spine insert or standalone back protector. Held to a much tougher pass mark, because the spine is what it guards.
Level 1: ≤ 18 kN average
Level 2: ≤ 9 kN average
The detail most riders miss: the two standards use different scales. A Level 2 back protector must keep transmitted force under 9 kN, while a Level 2 elbow is allowed up to 20 kN. Same label word, very different test.
How armor is actually tested
The test is deliberately simple, which is what makes the numbers comparable across brands. A striker delivers a 50-joule impact onto the protector, which sits on a shaped anvil with a force sensor underneath. The sensor records how much of that blow reaches the other side. Several hits are averaged, and the protector passes a level only if the average stays under the limit and no single hit exceeds a higher ceiling.
The numbers: CE Level 1 vs Level 2 thresholds
This is the whole standard in one table. Every claim a brand makes about “Level 2 protection” traces back to these figures.
| Standard | Protects | Level | Average force allowed | No single hit above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 1621-1 | Shoulders, elbows, hips, knees | Level 1 | 35 kN | 50 kN |
| EN 1621-1 | Shoulders, elbows, hips, knees | Level 2 | 20 kN | 30 kN |
| EN 1621-2 | Back / spine | Level 1 | 18 kN | 24 kN |
| EN 1621-2 | Back / spine | Level 2 | 9 kN | 12 kN |
Put plainly: on your limbs, Level 2 lets through roughly half the force of an equivalent Level 1 protector. On your back, the gap is even wider. If you want the full comparison of what that means when you are choosing gear, we cover it in detail in CE Level 1 vs Level 2 explained.
How to read the label on your armor
Pull a protector out of your jacket and you will find a printed label that looks like code. It is not: every part of it tells you something specific.
The zone letter tells you where the protector is meant to sit, and it matters because a pad shaped for a shoulder is not certified as a knee:
The temperature markings are worth a second look. Some armor stiffens in the cold or softens in heat, so T+ and T− tell you it still passed at 40°C and at −10°C. If you ride through real winters or desert summers, that marking is more than a technicality.
EN 17092: the standard people confuse with armor
Here is the mix-up that trips up most riders. EN 1621 rates the armor. EN 17092 rates the garment it lives in: the abrasion resistance, tear strength and seam strength of the jacket or trousers themselves. A jacket can hold excellent Level 2 armor and still be made of fabric that shreds on impact with tarmac, and the two labels are what tell them apart.
AAA
Highest abrasion protection. Touring and race-grade suits.
AA
Strong all-round protection. Most quality touring kit.
A
Lighter protection. Common in summer and urban gear.
B
Abrasion tested, but without impact protectors.
C
Armor carrier only, worn under or over other kit.
When you are weighing up what a jacket is actually made of, our guide to mesh, leather and textile jackets covers how each material behaves on the road.
Is Level 2 always the right choice?
Lower transmitted force is objectively better, so Level 2 is the safer number. The trade-offs are practical rather than theoretical: Level 2 protectors are usually thicker, stiffer or heavier, and cheaper ones can feel boardy in the heat. Modern shear-thickening materials have narrowed that gap a lot, staying soft until they are struck.
✓ Worth going Level 2 for
- Your back protector, where the scale is toughest
- High-speed touring and motorway miles
- Track days and fast road riding
Level 1 is a reasonable pick when
- Heat and bulk would stop you wearing the gear at all
- You ride mostly slow urban miles
- It is certified armor rather than uncertified foam
The armor you actually wear beats the armor you leave at home. A certified Level 1 protector in a jacket you wear every ride protects you far more than Level 2 sitting in a wardrobe because it is too hot.
Checking your own gear
That last point matters more than any label. Armor only works where it actually sits, so check it lines up with your shoulder and elbow while you are leaned onto the bars, not while standing in the shop.
Frequently asked questions about CE-rated armor
What is CE-rated motorcycle armor?
It is impact protection that has been independently tested against a European standard and certified, rather than just described as protective. Limb protectors are tested to EN 1621-1 and back protectors to EN 1621-2, measuring how much force passes through the armor to your body in kilonewtons.
What does EN 1621 mean?
EN 1621 is the European standard for motorcycle impact protectors. EN 1621-1 covers limb armor for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, while EN 1621-2 covers back protectors. Each sets a maximum amount of force the protector may transmit during a 50-joule impact test.
What is the difference between CE Level 1 and Level 2?
Level 2 lets less force through. For limb armor, Level 1 allows an average of up to 35 kN and Level 2 up to 20 kN. For back protectors, Level 1 allows 18 kN and Level 2 only 9 kN. Lower is better, so Level 2 is the higher grade of protection.
What do the letters on motorcycle armor mean?
They mark the body zone the protector is shaped and certified for: S for shoulder, E for elbow or forearm, H for hip, K for knee, and B for back under EN 1621-2. You may also see T+ and T−, meaning the armor was also tested at +40°C and −10°C.
Do back protectors use the same levels as elbow armor?
No, and this catches people out. The level names are the same but the scales differ. A Level 2 back protector must keep transmitted force under 9 kN, while a Level 2 elbow protector is allowed up to 20 kN, because back protectors are held to a tougher standard.
What is EN 17092 and how is it different?
EN 17092 rates the garment rather than the armor: the abrasion, tear and seam strength of the jacket or trousers. Classes run AAA, AA and A for protective garments, with B for abrasion-only garments without impact protectors and C for armor carriers. A jacket needs both good armor and a solid garment class.
Is Level 2 armor always better than Level 1?
It transmits less force, so on the numbers yes. In practice Level 2 protectors tend to be thicker or stiffer, so comfort can suffer in heat. Certified Level 1 armor you wear on every ride protects you more than Level 2 you leave at home, though a Level 2 back protector is worth prioritising.
Is CE-rated gear required by law?
In the EU, anything sold as motorcycle protective equipment must be CE certified before it goes on sale. Whether you are required to wear it depends on the country: France, for example, requires CE-approved gloves for riders. Check the rules where you ride, since they vary.
Related guides you might like
- Motorcycle Armor Ratings Explained: CE Level 1 vs Level 2
- Mesh vs Leather vs Textile Jackets for Long Rides
- How to Wash a Motorcycle Jacket Without Ruining It
- More protective apparel guides
Published September 2026. Standards are summarised for riders and may be revised; the figures here reflect the current EN 1621-1 and EN 1621-2 pass marks. Always check the label on your own armor, and replace any protector that has taken a significant impact.
