WHAT IS PPE?
ALL motorcycle clothing are now classed as "Personal Protective Equipment" (PPE). Manufacturers who sell PPE in the UK and Europe can only sell PPE if examination has been conducted and certification issued.
Garments need to pass the technical specification for protective garments for motorcycle riders and satisfy the Basic Health and Safety requirements of the PPE Regulation 2016/425.
MOTOGIRL products conform with the relevant Union harmonised legislation: Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and Personal protective equipment regulation 2016/425 (as retained in UK law and amended)
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN GARMENT CE TESTING?
Three (3) main tests are performed on garments. According to the results the garments is allocated a Class (AAA,AA,A,B or C) and Certification issued.
-
Impact Abrasion Resistance
-
Seam Strength
-
Tear Strength
There are a lot of other tests carried out during testing and additional tests might be required depending on garment, for example leather tests will include; Determination of pH, Chromium (VI), detection of AZO colorants in dye etc.
WHERE IS THE RISK ZONES IN A GARMENT?
Garments are divided into three (3) risk zones
HOW DO I SELECT MY RIDING GEAR?
The degree of risk or hazard that a motorcyclist will face is closely linked to the type of riding and the nature of the accident. Riders are cautioned to carefully choose motorcyclists’ protective garments that match their riding activity and risks.- It is mandatory for Jackets to come with shoulder and elbow protectors but NOT back protectors (If AAA,AA and A rated).
- It is mandatory that trousers with AAA and AA rating are fitted with knee and hip armour, BUT it is not mandatory to fit hip protection to an A rate garment.
If you on track we recommend nothing less than AAA, if you touring and daily riding AA, and cruising we suggest a minimum of A rating garments.
Tips when searching for gear:
-
A lot of garment descriptions online mention CE Certification BUT this is referencing the protectors NOT the whole garment
-
A lot of gear gets advertised as a CE Garment, but does not say A,AA, AAA please do ask the shop!
-
If you do not get hip protectors with an AA rate garment, then it might not be an AA rate garment, ask the shop!
-
Check labels, it is mandatory that ALL Certified garments have CE labels showing the rating.
PERFORMANCE LEVELS DEFINED INTO FIVE CLASSIFICATIONS, THE EXAMPLES BELOW ARE AN INDICATION:
- Class AAA garments - The highest level of protection, against the highest level of risks. Some common examples are: one-piece or two-piece leather suits for track and racing.
- Class AA garments - The second highest level of protection, against the risks of the greatest diversity of riding activities. Some common examples are: garments designed to be worn by themselves or to be worn over other clothing. Adventure, touring clothing as an example.
- Class A garments - The third highest level of protection. Some common examples are: garments, designed to be worn by them self or to be worn over other clothing by riders in extremely hot environments. Examples will include mesh jackets and Jeggings, ideal for cruising.
- Class B garments - This class is for specialized garments, designed to provide the equivalent abrasion protection of Class A garments but without the inclusion of impact protectors. Some common examples are: modular garments suitable to be combined with other garments providing impact protection. Class B garments do not offer impact protection and it is recommended that they be worn with, at least, EN 1621-1 shoulder and elbow impact protectors, in the case of a jacket, or EN 1621-1 knee impact protectors, in the case of trousers, installed in the garment, if it is designed to accept them or in another form, in order to offer complete minimum protection.
- Class C garments - This class is for specialised non-shell garments, designed only to hold one or more impact protectors in place, either as an undergarment or as an over-garment. Class C garments are designed to provide impact protection for areas covered by the impact protector(s) and they do not offer complete minimum abrasion and impact protection.
WHICH PROTECTORS SHOULD I USE?
Always buy CE Certified protectors. There are 2 levels of protectors, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 2 giving higher impact and shock absorption which reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an accident. It is suggested to replace impact protectors at least every 2 years.
MotoGirl only use Level 2 protectors, and most of our jackets will have in additon back protectors fitted although not mandatory. (Back protection can make a change in the size and fitting you select, and if you buy a jacket too fitted then you will perhaps not get a back protector in the pocket at a later stage.)
GARMENT MAINTENANCE
You should always check your garment and inspect protectors before you use them. Do not wear worn out or previously damaged garments. We suggest you to replace them. Do not use any modified garments or any modified garments with modified stitching, since the construction of the garment might have been compromised.
Tip: Read the User Information booklet attached to your garment, this will provide you with information to care for your garment.
CLEANING / WASHING GARMENTS
Turn the garment inside out, always remove fitted impact protectors before cleaning and refit after the garment has been allowed to dry.
PROTECTION PROVIDED BY GARMENTS
Clothing are designed to combat the hazards encountered during normal riding on a motorcycle and when the rider is involved in a road traffic accident. The clothing is designed and constructed so that it should remain in place on the wearer, and reasonably intact on impact with the road surface; thus it should usually prevent any skin contact with the road and therefore minimise mechanical impact injuries to the rider. This clothing cannot provide protection from more serious injuries, although it may assist in reducing the severity of some such injuries.
Whilst certain types and levels of accident protection can be provided by clothing, protection against all hazards is impossible.
USE GARMENTS WITH ADDITIONAL PPE
To achieve the maximum available levels of protection in the event of an accident, this garment should be used in conjunction with compatible, correctly fitting items of PPE which give coverage to areas of the body not protected by this garment alone - i.e.: a total PPE package should be used, comprising helmet, gloves, boots; and jacket & trousers or one-piece/two-piece suit.
GARMENTS DESIGNED TO BE WORN WITH THE FOLLOWING, ADDITIONAL PPE:
-
Motorcycle safety helmet, with fitted or separate eye protection (relevant standards include: DOT, ECE 22.05 and Snell M2000).
-
Gloves made of leather or material with equivalent properties, worn inside or outside the cuff of the garment and extending from the wrist joint up the wearer's arms for a distance of not less than 50mm (relevant standard: EN 13594).
CLICK HERE TO VIEW : DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY