Hello.
Stopping by to answer some questions on CE ratings. I'll try to make it short and sweet.

Would you purchase a helmet that wasn't DOT or SNELL approved? Most people wouldn't even think twice on this question. A tested product in a laboratory environment is head and shoulders better than any untested product. When you're talking personal protection one should look at hard numbers instead of advertising gimmicks, name brands and the like.

This is where CE ratings come into play. A truly CE rated product (body armor) has had to conform to specific impact tests that prove the armor in question can actually absorb an impact.

Many companies have even gone to the extent of sewing fake CE labels into their garments, Bohn is notorious for this approach. These companies do this becasue a CE rating is indeed important, however these same companies are aware of the lack of consumer knowledge on the subject.

Bohn for instance claims their product is "built" to CE standards without actually being tested. Personally, I wouldn't buy a helmet that's built to SNELL or DOT standards but wasn't actually tested. The same goes for body armor.

We ask all of our customers to do their own research, this will lead you to the facts on CE ratings and personal protection.

If you don't want to do the research then here is what to look for:

EN1621-2 Level 2 rated back protector this is the highet current CE rating available for back armor.

EN1621-1 rated shoulder and elbow guards this is currently the highest CE rating for elbow and shoulder guards.

These are the 2 CE ratings to look for with any full armor. If it doesn't say anything about CE testing then you should look elsewhere. A CE rating is very valuable and any company that has achieved such a rating will proudly display this info. on their site.

Your fist step to personal protection is knowledge, do your research and make an imformed decision....



FYI-

Motophoria is only rated to EN1621-1 and has a 35 kn transmission level


EN1621-2 Level 1 is the lowest one should go when purchasing a body armor------------has a 18kn transmission level

EN1621-2 Level 2 is the highest current back protector standard available--------------has a 9kn transmission level

The lower the transmission number the better.

 

The human body is obviously different between everyone, that is why different sizes are available. In a addition there are adjustments that will ensure proper fitment for various body types.

I understand that if one has already purchased a competitors body armor then finds out it doesn't conform to the higher CE ratings their still going to defend it to the end. Unfortunately, numbers do not lie.


Arbitrary crash testing isn't a good way to judge any product, that is where the laboratory settings come into play.

In a body armor CE test an initial force of 50kn is subjected to the various parts shoulder, elbow and back protector. The transmitted force is then measured to see how much energy transfers to one's body.

Motophoria armor for example is subjected to the same test and their transmitted force is 35kn or= EN1621-1

EN1621-2 Level 1 has a 18kn transmitted force

EN1621-2 Level 2 has a 9kn transmitted force.

Our body armor has passed the higher level EN1621-2 Level 2 test and actually exceeded it with a 4.49 kn transmission level.

There is a reason Alpinestars is so expensive and that's partially becasue of the name, the other reason is it's CE rating, it also conforms to EN1621-2 Level 2, unfortunately we don't know it's passing numbers for this test.

There are companies like 661 and Bohn who sew fake CE labels into their products in an effort to trick the consumer, since CE certifications aren't binding by law here in the states these companies aren't subjected to any recourse for their actions.

Is there a reason these companies sew fake labels into their products. Of course, a CE rating is substantial as it proves a specifc product can perform under the conditions it was built for.

We ask all of our customers to compare the products by numbers, not image, or how many factory riders/stunters the company sponsors, as this means nothing. Compare the actual numbers and do your research if you're serious about body armor protection as all body armor is not created equal.

 

I see what you mean, however I would say that helmets are a different issue.

Let's put it this way, we would be glad to offer a money back guarantee if one was worried about the ergonomic issue.

As far as CE testing it's much more than simply greasing palms. The majority of well known companies spend more on a single full page magazine ad then it would cost to have a CE test done on their product. Typically, they don't do the tests because it will rasie the manufacturing cost of the product due to the materials needed to obtain a first class CE rating.

 

If you want to know motophoria's CE rating click on the "technical" link on their site. They list their armor as EN1621-1 (35kn transmission) approved.

 

Here is a summary of the forces used here:

35kn is equal to 5lbs per square inch

18kn =2.6 psi

9kn=1.3 psi

4.49kn=.65 psi


these numbers don't tell the story because of the square inches involved, especially when you consider the square inches of your back.

Automotive crash research has shown that 4kn is the maximum force a bone can withstand before breakage. This applies specifically to ribcage bones, and is a good starting point to gauge the different levels of EN1621-1 and EN1621-2 level 1/2