Applies to: Maverick Jackets, Overland Pants, Heritage Jacket, Pioneer Jacket & Thriller Gloves.
CE Approved PPE
Why you need CE approved PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to gear for motorcyclists whose characteristics have been laboratory-tested to meet the requirements of European motorcycle protection standards. Once the tests are validated, a certificate of approval is issued. Without governance by any legal obligation, motorcycle gear can vary in terms of effectiveness and protection, and it's best to be careful, as not all equipment is created equal. Only CE certification guarantees certain standards and ensures standardized protection within a legal framework.
THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF APPROVAL
CE certification classifies motorcycle protective clothing into several levels, depending on its resistance to extreme conditions: + Class B: Basic protection, without impact reinforcements. To be worn with internal protection. + Class A: Lightweight protection, suitable for urban use or in warm weather. Softer materials, limited abrasion resistance. + Class AA: Compromise between protection and comfort, ideal for daily commutes and long rides. + Class AAA: The highest level of protection, designed for track and high-speed roads. Maximum resistance, more rigid materials.
WHAT DOES “CE APPROVED PRODUCT” MEAN?
Having CE-approved or certified equipment guarantees that your gear has passed a series of demanding tests to meet European safety standards. Without this certification, it's impossible to know if your protective equipment will offer real safety on the road.
ABRASION RESISTANCE TESTS
During a motorcycle fall, your gear will rub against the asphalt. The abrasion resistance test simulates sliding on the road at different speeds to measure how long it takes before the material is punctured. The more resistant it is, the better.
SEAMS STRENGTH TESTS
The seams undergo tensile testing to measure the strength of the assembly under stress. The fabric is pulled in different directions until it breaks, ensuring that the threads do not fail before the material itself. A reliable seam guarantees that the protective elements remain in place and that the equipment is intact in the event of a fall.
TEAR STRENGTH TESTS
This test verifies the fabric's ability to resist tearing under sudden tension. It is performed in multiple directions (warp and weft) to ensure the material will not break, regardless of the stress applied.
SHOCK ABSORPTION TESTS
Impact protection is essential to protect joints in the event of an impact. This test measures the effectiveness of reinforcements placed at the elbows, shoulders, knees, and hips by evaluating their ability to absorb the energy of an impact. Good PPE should minimize the force transmitted to the body.
ERGONOMICS TESTS
PPE is subject to additional checks: dimensional stability (preventing the equipment from deforming over time) comfort, ergonomics. Effective equipment is also equipment that can be worn daily without constraint.
CHEMICAL TESTS
They guarantee that the materials used in the clothing pose no health risks through prolonged skin contact and that they are non-toxic. The laboratories check, in particular, for the presence of prohibited substances (phthalates, chromium VI, azo dyes or nickel).
