How Are Motorcycle Armor Pads Tested for Safety?

Daniel Smartmfg
Jul 17
4 min read

Riding a motorcycle is definitely a thrill, but if you have ever found yourself enjoying this thrill, you must know the risks it comes with. Right? So, will you stop doing the activity that has no alternative or comparison? Exactly. However, completely ignoring your safety should also not be on your list.

Whether you are affiliated with a biker community or just chasing sunsets, know one thing: Safety gear is not optional; it is a necessity. We are here to provide you with the knowledge of safety gear and its levels.

What’s concerning is that not all armor pads are created equally, and most of you are not aware of this. If you don’t have proper equipment or motorcycle armor pads, especially CE-2 Armor Pads, you might be taking a bigger risk than you actually think.

Let's talk about how we provide protection and how our motorcycle armor pads are tested to provide you with the protection you need, so that there is no hurdle in your thrilling ride.

Level of Armors According to Performance:

Before getting into the understanding of how we test our armor pads for safety, you should know what it means when we say level 1 or level 2. These levels are usually called according to the performance of the motorcycle gear. The amount of resistance each gear offers by absorbing the force decides its level. When we say CE level 1, it means it can bear half the force as compared to level 2, which is why CE level 2 is considered ideal.

What is CE Level 2 Armor?

CE Level 2 is the safety rating that is assigned by the European Conformity. Now here is the deal: When armor pads are tested for CE certification, they go through experiments in which they are exposed to the kind of forces you would experience in a real motorcycle accident. However, the certification is given only if such armor pads transmit the force to the body of less than 9kN.

CE-2 Armor Pads are specifically designed to bear high-thrust accidents. They were designed for the advanced tracks in the first place to offer security and minimal life damage.

CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2: What's the Difference

What makes it important to understand the difference between CE Level 1 and Level 2 is your need for the right amount of protection. The feature at each level may offer different benefits, and that is why you need to select the right armor according to your ride and protection in specific areas.

Both types, CE-1 and CE-2 Armor Pads, go through the same type of testing. This is how we compare them:

FEATURE	CE LEVEL 1	CE LEVEL 2
Force Transmitted	≤ 35 kN	≤ 20 kN
Shock absorption	Less	More
Area Coverage	Often smaller	Covers a Larger area
Level of Flexibility	Slightly more Flexible	Flexible and Light
Safety Ratings	Good	Best available

If we summarize in simple terms, CE Level 1 is suitable for more casual and low-speed riders, but CE Level 2 is for more impactful riders who take their protection seriously.

How are Motorcycle Armor Pads Tested for Safety?

Now we are going to talk more about technical stuff, but that is exactly what makes it an armor. Motorcycle armor pads go through controlled impact tests in labs certified by the European Union Standards. These tests may involve:

Drop Test: The armor pads are placed on the sensors, and a weight is dropped from a specific height. The force transmitted through the pad is then calculated.

Impact Abrasion Resistance: This test is usually performed to check the resistance of fabric to impact abrasion. The smaller the hole from the abrasion slide, the better the quality of the fabric used in armor.

Tear Strength: As the name suggests, this test simply measures the tear strength. The material used in armor pads must be difficult to rip the fabric open.

Seam Strength: This strength is tested to check how much force is required to split the seam open. It is to prevent damage to vital connections that should be connected if you fall during the ride.

Temperature Testing: Pads are tested in extreme temperature conditions, in heat, cold, and humidity. But you may be wondering how it has affected the safety? Because your armor needs to perform regardless of the weather.

Multiple Impact Zone: In this test, motorcycle armor pads are hit in five different spots, and the average force is calculated. The force transmitted through should be within the same limits.

Flexibility: If we see our body, it’s a dynamic structure, so toughness is not the only thing that you may need in your armor. To make it wearable, we must have a motorcycle armor pad that feels light and flexible when you ride. The newer best available is the CE-2 Armor Pad.

Why choose CE-2 Armor Pads?

If you’re wearing CE Level 2 pads in your jacket or pants, you’re getting double the protection in high-impact zones like shoulders, elbows, back, knees, or hips. Imagine you have peace of mind just because you know that with CE-2 Armor pads, you can only feel the jolt from the incident that could have been more severe.

Don’t settle for armor less than CE-2, because your high-risk zones must give you the strength and protection you need. Make your ride even wilder with Daniel Smart Manufacturing, which provides you with armor in your style.

FAQs

What does CE level 2 mean in armor?

CE Level 2 armor means the gear has been certified to protect from high-impact forces during bike rides.

Which one is better between CE level 1 and CE level 2?

Both CE level 1 and level 2 provide protection, but you need to decide which one you truly need. If you're looking for casual motorcycle armor, then level 1 is good, but for the more risky rides, you need to upgrade your armor to CE level 2.