Turn any serious jacket, glove or boot inside out and you will find a small label covered in codes: EN 17092 AA, EN 1621-1 Level 2, EN 13594 KP. Those codes are the most honest thing on the product. They tell you how CE motorcycle gear performed in a lab, independent of the brand, the price or the marketing.
In Lebanon, where a lot of gear is sold with no label at all, learning to read them is the single best way to know what you are actually paying for.
Quick answer: CE motorcycle gear is tested to European standards: EN 17092 for jackets and pants (classes AAA, AA, A, B, C), EN 1621 for armour (Level 1 or the more protective Level 2), EN 13594 for gloves and EN 13634 for boots. Helmets follow ECE 22.06. For road riding, aim for Class AA garments with Level 2 armour.
What "CE" Actually Means on Motorcycle Gear
The CE mark shows that a product meets European safety rules. Since the EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (2016/425) came into force, motorcycle clothing sold as protective in Europe has to be tested and certified as PPE. That is why modern jackets and gloves carry a standard number, a class or level, and a small motorcyclist pictogram.
Two things matter when you look at CE motorcycle gear:
- What is certified: the whole garment, or only the armour inside it.
- Which standard and level: the code tells you exactly which tests it passed.
A jacket can contain CE Level 1 elbow pads while the jacket itself has never been tested. That is the most common trap, and we explain how to spot it below.
EN 17092 AAA, AA, A, B and C: Jackets and Pants
EN 17092 is the standard for motorcycle garments: jackets, pants and one-piece suits. It tests abrasion resistance, seam strength, tear strength and whether impact protectors are fitted at the right places. Every certified garment gets one class, printed under the pictogram on the label. SATRA's EN 17092 overview sets out the full test programme.
| Class | Protection | Impact armour | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Highest abrasion and seam strength | Required | Race leathers, high-end touring suits |
| AA | High | Required | Touring and adventure textiles |
| A | Good, lighter build | Required | Urban, summer and mesh jackets |
| B | Same abrasion as A | Not included | Garments meant for separate armour |
| C | Not an abrasion garment | Holds the protectors | Armoured base layers and vests |
Which class makes sense in Lebanon?
For Beirut commuting in July, a Class A mesh jacket you will actually wear beats a Class AA jacket left at home because it is too hot. For highway riding, mountain tours to Faraya or the Cedars, or long Bekaa runs, Class AA is the sweet spot of protection and comfort. Class AAA is mostly worth it for track days.
Real examples from GearD, at the time of writing: the T.UR Himalaya Hydroscud is a 3-layer adventure jacket certified EN 17092 Class AA ($350), while the T.UR Airflow Shield is a Class A summer mesh jacket. Browse our motorcycle jackets and riding pants to compare labels.
EN 1621: Level 1 vs Level 2 Armour
EN 1621 covers impact protectors. A weight is dropped onto the protector and sensors measure how much force passes through to an anvil underneath. The less force transmitted, the better the protection. Each protector is rated Level 1 or Level 2.
| Standard | Body area | Level 1 (average transmitted force) | Level 2 (average transmitted force) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 1621-1 | Shoulders, elbows, hips, knees | Below 35 kN | Below 20 kN |
| EN 1621-2 | Back (spine) | Below 18 kN | Below 9 kN |
| EN 1621-3 | Chest | Rated Level 1 or Level 2 on the same principle | |
| EN 1621-4 | Inflatable (airbag) protectors | Separate test for airbag systems | |
Level 1 vs Level 2 armour: is the upgrade worth it?
For the back, a Level 2 protector lets through roughly half the force of a Level 1. For limbs, the gap is also large. Older Level 2 pads were thick and stiff, but modern viscoelastic and multi-layer foams are thin, flexible and comfortable enough for daily use.
The cheapest big safety upgrade in motorcycling is replacing the foam pad in your jacket's back pocket with a certified back protector. The Pando Moto Quatroflex is a slim CE Level 2 back protector at $56 at the time of writing. More options are in our knee and body armour collection.
Tip: the protector's own label shows its standard and level, plus a code for the body zone and size. Check it fits the pocket and covers your spine properly when you sit on the bike.
EN 13594: Motorcycle Gloves and the KP Mark
Gloves are certified to EN 13594 at Level 1 or Level 2. The tests cover abrasion, seam strength, tear and cut resistance, and how securely the glove stays on your hand during a slide (the restraint test). Level 2 gloves must meet higher abrasion and impact requirements, so they are usually racing or heavy touring gloves.
- Level 1: most summer, urban and touring gloves.
- Level 2: race and high-performance gloves.
- KP: the knuckle protection itself passed the impact test.
A Level 1 KP glove is a very good everyday choice in Lebanon. The T.UR G-Six summer glove is certified CE EN 13594:2015 and costs $50 at the time of writing. See all certified pairs in our motorcycle gloves collection.
EN 13634: Motorcycle Boots
Boots are tested to EN 13634 in four areas, each scored 1 or 2 and printed as four digits under the pictogram:
- Height of the upper (short boots score 1).
- Impact abrasion resistance.
- Impact cut resistance.
- Transverse rigidity, meaning how well the boot resists being crushed side to side.
A label reading 2 2 2 2 is the maximum in every category. Optional markings can appear too, such as WR for water resistance. Off-road and adventure motorcycle boots usually score highest for rigidity, while short urban riding shoes trade height for comfort.
Helmets: ECE 22.06, Not EN
Helmets follow a separate United Nations regulation, ECE 22.06, which replaced 22.05. It adds rotational impact testing, more impact points and speeds, and visor testing. RideApart's explainer covers the changes in detail. Our guide on how to choose a motorcycle helmet in Lebanon explains how this fits into choosing a helmet type.
How to Read a CE Motorcycle Gear Label in 30 Seconds
- Find the garment label, usually sewn inside near the zip or collar. It should show the motorcyclist pictogram, the standard (for example EN 17092-3:2020) and the class (AA).
- Check each protector separately. Its label shows EN 1621-1 or 1621-2 and Level 1 or 2.
- Do not confuse the two. "CE armour" on a jacket with no EN 17092 class means only the pads are certified, not the fabric or seams.
- Look for a real back protector, not a foam placeholder. If the pocket is empty or has thin foam, budget for a Level 2 insert.
- Ask for the certificate if the label is missing. Reputable brands publish declarations of conformity.
Building a full kit from scratch? Our beginner motorcycle gear checklist shows what to prioritise first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AA mean on a motorcycle jacket?
AA is the middle of the three armoured classes under EN 17092. It means the whole garment passed abrasion, seam and tear tests at a high level and includes certified impact protectors at the shoulders and elbows. It is the usual target for touring and adventure riding, offering strong protection without the weight of AAA race leathers.
Is a CE certified motorcycle jacket really safer?
Yes. A CE certified motorcycle jacket has passed independent lab tests for abrasion, seam strength and armour fit, so you know it will not tear open in a slide. Uncertified jackets may look identical but have never been tested. Always check for an EN 17092 class on the garment label, not just CE pads inside.
Is Level 2 armour worth it over Level 1?
For most riders, yes. Level 2 armour transmits significantly less impact force to your body than Level 1, and modern Level 2 protectors are thin and flexible. The difference matters most for the back, where a Level 2 protector lets through about half the force of a Level 1.
What is the difference between EN 1621-1 and EN 1621-2?
EN 1621-1 covers limb protectors for the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. EN 1621-2 covers back protectors, which are tested to stricter force limits because the spine is more vulnerable. Check which standard is printed on each piece of armour, because they are not interchangeable.
Does CE apply to motorcycle helmets?
No. Helmets are certified to ECE 22.06 (or the older 22.05), a United Nations regulation, rather than an EN standard. Look for the ECE label sewn into the chin strap. Gloves, boots, jackets, pants and armour use the EN standards described in this guide.
Shop Certified CE Motorcycle Gear
Every product page at GearD lists its certification where the brand provides it, so you can compare classes and levels side by side. Browse our certified riding gear, and if you are unsure which level suits your riding, message the GearD team on WhatsApp before you place your order.
