CE Level 1 vs Level 2 Armor: What Every Motorcycle Rider Needs to Know
Why CE Armor Certification Matters
When you're shopping for a motorcycle racing suit, the spec sheet can feel overwhelming — leather grade, stitch count, panel construction. But one specification stands above the rest when it comes to your safety: CE armor certification. It's the difference between gear that looks protective and gear that is protective.
At Bleed Racing Gears, every suit we build is engineered around certified protection. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
What Is CE Certification?
CE stands for Conformité Européenne — a European safety standard that has become the global benchmark for motorcycle protective equipment. For armor inserts in motorcycle suits, the relevant standard is EN 13594 (for gloves) and EN 1621-1 (for limb protectors) and EN 1621-2 (for back protectors).
When a piece of armor carries a CE mark, it has been independently tested by an accredited laboratory and proven to absorb and distribute impact energy within defined limits. Without that mark, you're relying on the manufacturer's word alone.
CE Level 1 vs Level 2: The Core Difference
Both levels pass the same test — a guided mass dropped onto the armor from a set height — but Level 2 sets a significantly stricter threshold for transmitted force.
| Standard | Max Transmitted Force (Average) | Max Transmitted Force (Single Peak) |
|---|---|---|
| CE Level 1 | ≤ 35 kN | ≤ 50 kN |
| CE Level 2 | ≤ 20 kN | ≤ 30 kN |
In plain terms: Level 2 armor absorbs significantly more impact energy before that force reaches your body. For shoulder, elbow, and knee protectors, that margin can be the difference between a bruise and a fracture.
Where Each Level Makes Sense
CE Level 1 — Street and Occasional Track Use
Level 1 armor is the baseline for road-legal gear across most markets. It offers meaningful protection for everyday riding, commuting, and occasional track days at moderate speeds. It's also typically thinner and more flexible, which improves comfort during long rides.
Best for: Street riding, touring, beginner track days, and suits where comfort and packability are priorities.
CE Level 2 — Dedicated Track and Racing Use
If you're pushing lap times, Level 2 is the standard you should demand. At track speeds, the forces involved in a slide or impact are dramatically higher than on public roads. Level 2 armor is engineered for exactly that scenario — maximum energy absorption when it matters most.
Best for: Track days, club racing, circuit riding, and any application where speed and impact risk are elevated.
All Bleed Racing Gears leather racing suits are built to accommodate CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders, elbows, and knees — because we don't believe in compromising on protection at speed.
Back Protectors: A Separate Standard
Back protectors follow EN 1621-2 and carry their own Level 1 and Level 2 ratings. The spine is uniquely vulnerable in a crash — it has no redundancy. A CE Level 2 back protector is one of the highest-value safety upgrades you can make to any suit.
Look for suits with a dedicated back protector pocket sized for a full Level 2 insert, not just a foam pad that meets the minimum standard.
How to Check Your Armor's Certification
Every certified armor insert must be permanently marked with:
- The CE mark
- The relevant EN standard number (e.g., EN 1621-1)
- The protection level (1 or 2)
- The manufacturer's name and product reference
- The year of manufacture
If any of these are missing, the armor has not been independently certified — regardless of what the marketing says.
Armor Placement in a Racing Suit
A properly constructed racing suit protects the body's highest-impact zones:
- Shoulders — primary contact point in most slides
- Elbows — instinctive bracing point in a fall
- Knees/Shins — critical in low-side crashes
- Back — spine and kidney protection
- Chest — optional but increasingly standard in premium suits
The armor pockets in your suit should hold inserts securely in position — armor that shifts during a crash provides inconsistent protection. This is one reason fit matters as much as certification level. Read our guide on how to measure for a custom motorcycle suit to understand how proper fit keeps armor exactly where it needs to be.
The Bottom Line
CE Level 1 is the floor, not the ceiling. If you're riding at speed — on track or on road — Level 2 armor at the shoulders, elbows, knees, and back is the standard worth investing in. The weight and bulk difference between levels is minimal. The protection difference is not.
Explore our full range of leather racing suits — each engineered to carry CE Level 2 protection where it counts most.