LET'S TALK REAL! WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED FOR MOTORIZED 2-WHEELERS?

If I ask the question to 10 bikers, the proportion of correct answers might surprise more than one of them!

So let's take a quick look at the obligations in this area, dictated mostly by waves of European regulations. These regulations are largely based on the most demanding rules among the 27 member states, namely... FRANCE! These standards are registered under the name PPE, for Personal Protective Equipment.

THE FOLLOWING ARE MANDATORY for driving a motorized two-wheeled vehicle:

1 - A helmet meeting CE standards: divided into 3 categories according to its level of protection:

• Jet or open-face helmet (ECE 22-05 J3 standard)

• the modular or convertible helmet (ECE 22-05 J2 standard)

• the full-face helmet (ECE 22-05 J1 standard)

2 - a pair of CE-compliant gloves: divided into 3 categories according to their level of protection:

• Level 1 glove: WITHOUT protection of the metacarpal joints (shells on the punching part)

• Level 1KP glove: WITH metacarpal joint protection (same)

• The 2KP level glove: WITH metacarpal joint protection (high racing-type cuff)

Note that for all 3 categories of gloves, the minimum requirements concern: the minimum length of the glove (between the tip of the middle finger and the top of the cuff), the closure of the wrist by a tightening point which prevents the glove from being torn off in the event of a fall (elastic and/or adjustable tightening tab), and the individual resistance of all the components of the glove and its seams, to standards of resistance to abrasion, cut and tearing.

Phew, from this point on, nothing is mandatory anymore. This means that wearing other protective gear—jacket, trousers, boots—is not standardized or required for riding a motorized two-wheeler!

The standards you may have discovered during a purchase exist to raise the level of protection offered by motorcycle clothing manufacturers, and above all to allow the consumer to find their way among the multitude of existing equipment.

In summary, here is the expectation related to the 5 levels of NON-BINDING standards:

• Levels B & C: no resistance requirements to any tear, cut, or abrasion test. This equipment has not been subjected to PPE testing, or provides only partial protection (as is the case with airbag vests).

• Level A: equipment subjected to resistance constraints related to urban use (speed 50 km/h), often equipped with level 1 shells.

• AA level: equipment subjected to resistance stress related to road use (speed 90 km/h), equipped with level 2 shells.

• AAA level: equipment subjected to high speed and impact stresses, comparable to the competition context, equipped with level 3 shells.

At RAER MOTORCYCLE, we have developed equipment that combines all the materials and manufacturing methods that meet the minimum requirements of standard A, and we initiate testing procedures as our models are put into production.

Discover all our clothing and accessories on the RAER-MOTORCYCLE website by copying the following link: www.raer-motorcycle.com.

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