Motorcycle Armor Ratings Explained: CE Level 1 vs Level 2

The difference between CE Level 1 and Level 2 armor is simple: how much impact force it lets through to your body. Every certified motorcycle protector is smashed in a lab, and the force that makes it past is measured in kilonewtons (kN), the lower the number, the better it protects. Level 1 is the solid baseline; Level 2 lets through roughly half the force on your spine and noticeably less on your limbs. Neither is “fake” protection, but knowing the difference tells you exactly what you’re wearing and whether it’s enough for how you ride.

The catch is that the ratings are quietly more complicated than “1 or 2.” Limbs and backs are scored on completely different scales, the label hides a string of codes most riders never decode, and plenty of jackets ship with the cheapest armor the maker could legally fit. Let’s make the whole thing readable.

What CE armor ratings actually mean

The test behind the rating

Certification isn’t a marketing badge, it’s a physical test. The armor’s job is to spread and absorb a blow so less of it reaches you, and the surviving force decides the level. It’s tested cold, hot, and after conditioning, because armor that only works at room temperature is no use on a freezing morning. In three steps:

Lower force means better protection

This is the part that trips people up: a higher level means a lower force number. Level 2 armor lets less energy through than Level 1, so it protects better, usually at the cost of being a little thicker, stiffer, or pricier. Modern materials like the well-known orange D3O and similar foams stay soft and flexible while you ride, then firm up on impact, which is how a comfortable insert can still hit Level 2. You can read the full standard on the test house SATRA’s reference page.

CE Level 1 vs Level 2: the numbers

Two standards cover the armor most riders wear, and each has its own pass marks. Compare like with like, a back protector’s numbers are not the same scale as an elbow’s.

Limb protectors (EN 1621-1)

These cover shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Under EN 1621-1, Level 1 must keep the average transmitted force below 35 kN, and Level 2 below 20 kN. So a Level 2 elbow protector passes about 40% less force than a Level 1 one, a meaningful step up for the joints you’re most likely to land on.

Back protectors (EN 1621-2)

The spine gets a stricter, separate standard. Under EN 1621-2, Level 1 must stay below 18 kN and Level 2 below 9 kN, Level 2 lets through roughly half the force. Given what’s at stake, a Level 2 back protector is one of the easiest safety upgrades to justify, and it’s exactly the part many jackets skimp on.

Protector (standard)	Level 1 max force	Level 2 max force
Limbs, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee (EN 1621-1)	≤ 35 kN	≤ 20 kN
Back protector (EN 1621-2)	≤ 18 kN	≤ 9 kN
What it means	Solid baseline	Lets through less force

Reading a CE label

Every certified protector has a small label sewn in, and once you can read it you’ll never be fooled by “CE approved” marketing again. Here’s what each line is telling you.

Zone codes

A letter tells you which body part the protector is certified for:

It matters because a pad certified as an elbow protector isn’t automatically approved as a knee protector, even if it fits the pocket.

Type A vs Type B (coverage)

Type refers to how much area the protector covers. Type A is the smaller minimum coverage, often used where a slimmer fit matters; Type B covers a larger area. Same level, more real estate, so a Type B protector guards more of the joint. For a back protector, that can be the difference between shielding your whole spine and just the middle of it.

Temperature and other marks

You may see T+ and T-, meaning the armor was tested at high (+40°C) and low (-10°C) temperatures and still passed, reassuring if you ride in real weather rather than a lab. The label will also carry the specific standard and year, like EN 1621-1:2012, so you know exactly which test it met.

Do you actually need Level 2?

When Level 1 is enough

Level 1 is genuine, certified protection, not a token gesture. For low-speed city riding, hot climates where thinner armor keeps you cooler, or as a comfortable everyday baseline, Level 1 on the limbs is a reasonable choice, especially if it means you’ll actually wear the gear every ride instead of leaving the stiff jacket at home.

When Level 2 is worth it

The faster and farther you ride, the more Level 2 earns its place, highway speeds, touring, and adventure riding all raise the energy of a crash. And regardless of pace, a Level 2 back protector is the upgrade I’d push hardest, because a spinal injury is in a different league from a bruised elbow. If you buy one thing off this article, make it a proper Level 2 back insert. Before you shop, check what is already in your jacket: we cover that, and how the back standard differs, in do you need a CE Level 2 back protector.

The jacket itself: EN 17092

Here’s what the armor ratings don’t tell you: how well the jacket resists being ground away on tarmac. That’s a separate standard, EN 17092, which rates the whole garment for abrasion, tear, and seam strength into classes, AAA (highest, for touring and adventure), AA (a strong all-round middle), and A (lighter, more urban). A jacket can hold Level 2 armor and still be a low abrasion class, or vice versa. Great gear needs both: armor that absorbs the hit and a shell that survives the slide. If you want the full breakdown of those classes, including the part number trick that reveals the class on any label, see our guide to EN 17092 and what AAA, AA and A mean.

Check your armor

Frequently asked questions

Is Level 2 armor always better than Level 1?

It transmits less force, so it protects more, but “better” depends on use. Level 2 can be thicker or stiffer, and the safest armor is the armor you actually wear. For the back, Level 2 is well worth it; for limbs, Level 1 is a fair choice for hot-weather or low-speed riding.

Why are limb and back kN numbers so different?

They’re separate standards testing different body parts. Limbs use EN 1621-1 (Level 1 ≤ 35 kN, Level 2 ≤ 20 kN); the spine uses the stricter EN 1621-2 (Level 1 ≤ 18 kN, Level 2 ≤ 9 kN). Never compare a back protector’s number to an elbow’s.

Does my jacket come with a back protector?

Often not a real one. Many jackets ship with a thin foam pad in the back pocket that isn’t a certified protector. Check for a sewn-in EN 1621-2 label; if it’s just foam, buy a proper Level 2 insert to fit the pocket.

What does T+ or T- mean on the label?

It means the armor was tested and passed at high (+40°C) and low (-10°C) temperatures, not just room temperature. It’s a sign the protector still performs in real-world heat and cold.

Which armor level you actually need

CE Level 1 vs Level 2 is really a question of how much force reaches you, and the label tells you the whole story once you can read it. Take Level 1 as a solid baseline, treat a Level 2 back protector as close to essential, and remember the jacket’s abrasion class is a separate promise the armor rating never makes. Gear up knowing exactly what each number protects, and you ride with real confidence instead of a marketing sticker.

If any of the terms above were new, start with what CE-rated armor means and how EN 1621 works, which walks through the test, the label and the full set of thresholds from the ground up.

Related guides you might like

• What Is CE-Rated Motorcycle Armor? (EN 1621 Explained)
• Do You Need a CE Level 2 Back Protector?
• EN 17092 Explained: What AAA, AA and A Jackets Mean
• Mesh vs Leather vs Textile Jackets for Long Rides

More gear guidance in our protective apparel guides on RideFarGear.