CE Level 1 vs Level 2 Motorcycle Armor: A Rider's Complete Guide (2026 Update)

Updated May 2026 · 8-min read

CE Level 1 vs Level 2 in one sentence:

Level 2 armor transmits roughly half the impact force of Level 1 in the same drop test — the European standard caps Level 1 at a mean of 18 kN, Level 2 at 9 kN. For most road riders, Level 2 is the right answer. The rest of this guide explains why, when Level 1 is fine, and where the newer sub-9 kN track-grade ratings fit in.

In this guide

Quick answer (what to buy) Common questions What CE certification means Level 1 vs Level 2 numbers Sub-9 kN track-grade Which level do I need? Zone codes & fit Impact vs slide protection

Quick answer · skip the deep dive

If you're a typical street rider, here's exactly what to look for — and what to buy.

Want the why behind each of these — the kN numbers, drop tests, riding-style decision matrix, fit comparisons, and the slide-vs-impact framework? Keep scrolling → Or jump to common questions.

Is CE Level 2 motorcycle armor worth the extra cost?

For street riding, almost always yes. Level 2 cuts transmitted impact force roughly in half versus Level 1, and the price premium is typically $10–$30 per protector. For back armor specifically, Level 2 is the only answer — spinal injuries are catastrophic and the upgrade cost is trivial.

Is Level 1 or Level 2 better?

Level 2 is better in terms of impact reduction — the standard requires it to transmit half the force of Level 1 on average (9 kN vs 18 kN). The trade-off is that Level 2 protectors are usually slightly thicker and heavier, though modern viscoelastic materials have largely closed that gap.

What does CE Level 1 mean?

CE Level 1 is the lower of the two impact-protection ratings under EN 1621. It means the armor transmits no more than 18 kN of force (mean) and 24 kN (single peak) in the standardized drop test. It's the minimum bar for being called "CE-certified motorcycle armor" — anything below isn't tested to the standard at all.

What's the difference between CE Level 1 and Level 2 back protectors?

The test method is the same (5 kg striker dropped at a controlled energy under EN 1621-2). The pass thresholds are different: Level 1 caps transmitted force at 18 kN mean / 24 kN peak; Level 2 caps it at 9 kN mean / 12 kN peak. For back protection specifically, always choose Level 2 if it fits.

Is foam padding in my jacket the same as CE armor?

No. Most generic foam padding sewn into entry-level jackets isn't tested to EN 1621 at all — meaning it has no measured impact reduction. CE-certified armor (Level 1 or Level 2) has been independently tested and labeled with the EN 1621 rating. If the inside label on your jacket doesn't mention EN 1621, the padding is probably just for shape and comfort.

Can I replace the armor in my existing jacket with Level 2?

Usually yes. Most armored jackets use a standard pocket size (sometimes called "universal fit") that accepts aftermarket inserts. SAS-TEC, D3O, and other manufacturers sell drop-in Level 2 replacements that fit most jackets. We walk through the process in our guide on inserting Level 2 SAS-TEC armor.

What's the difference between CE Level 2 and a sub-9 kN rating?

Both meet or exceed the CE Level 2 cap of 9 kN mean transmitted force. A "sub-9," "sub-6," or "sub-4" label is a manufacturer claim that the actual measured force came in below that lower number — meaning extra safety margin within the Level 2 rating. There's no Level 3 in EN 1621; sub-9 kN is the closest thing.

How do I know if my armor is real CE-certified?

Every CE-rated protector has a label sewn into it that lists the EN standard (e.g., "EN 1621-1:2012"), the level (1 or 2), the zone code (S, E, K, H, CB, or FB), and the test type (A or B). If those four things aren't on the label, the armor isn't certified — regardless of what the marketing copy says.

Most motorcycle jackets and pants ship with armor padding sewn into the elbows, shoulders, knees, and back. The padding is what catches the impact when you slide down the asphalt instead of skating across it. But not all of that padding is created equal — and a lot of it isn't even tested.

The CE marking — short for Conformité Européenne — tells you the armor in your gear has been independently tested against a European standard and either passes Level 1 or Level 2. Level 2 transmits less force to your body. Both are far better than the soft foam most riders are still wearing without realizing it.

This guide breaks down what the ratings actually mean, where the numbers come from, and how to choose — without the marketing fluff.

What CE certification actually means

The CE mark is required on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sold in Europe — that includes everything from hard hats to children's toys. For motorcycle armor specifically, the relevant standard is EN 1621, and it has four parts:

Standard	What it tests	Where it goes on you
EN 1621-1	Limb impact protectors	Shoulders, elbows, hips, knees
EN 1621-2	Back impact protectors	Central back / spine
EN 1621-3	Chest impact protectors	Sternum / front chest
EN 1621-4	Inflatable (airbag) protectors	Vest- or jacket-integrated airbags

Each part of the standard has its own pass/fail thresholds — but the basic structure is the same: a weighted impactor is dropped onto the armor at a known energy, and the force that gets through to the dummy underneath is measured. If the armor transmits less than the threshold, it passes that level.

For everyday riding gear, the two ratings you'll encounter most are EN 1621-1 on the joint pads in your jacket and pants, and EN 1621-2 on the back protector. The 2012 versions of these standards are still the dominant references on product labels in 2026 — though manufacturers are starting to migrate to the 2024 amendments, which tightened a few definitions without changing the headline Level 1 / Level 2 thresholds.

Level 1 vs Level 2: the actual numbers

Both EN 1621-1 (limb) and EN 1621-2 (back) use a 5 kg striker dropped at the same energy (50 joules for limb, 50 joules for back at a fixed velocity). What changes is the cap on transmitted force — how hard you actually get hit through the armor.

Rating	Mean transmitted force	Peak (single hit) limit	What it means
CE Level 1	≤ 18 kN average	≤ 24 kN single value	Baseline protection. Adequate for casual road riding.
CE Level 2	≤ 9 kN average	≤ 12 kN single value	Roughly half the transmitted force of Level 1. The default for serious road riders.

In plain English: Level 2 cuts the force reaching your body roughly in half compared to Level 1 — and a Level 2 protector cuts it by closer to 70% compared to the EVA foam padding that ships in many entry-level jackets, which isn't tested to either standard.

Sub-9 kN: track-grade armor above Level 2

CE Level 2 is the ceiling of the official rating system — there is no "Level 3" in EN 1621. But for racing and track-day use, a handful of manufacturers publish their own test results that exceed Level 2 by a meaningful margin. You'll see these labeled Sub-9, Sub-6, or Sub-4, where the number is the mean transmitted force the protector achieved.

A common reference point is the Forcefield Pro Sub 4 back protector — at a measured 4 kN mean transmitted force, it passes Level 2 with more than twice the safety margin. Track-day organizers and racing federations sometimes require these higher specs above what the CE standard requires.

For street riding, sub-9 kN protectors are nice to have but not necessary — a well-fitted Level 2 protector that you'll actually wear every ride is more protection than a sub-4 protector left at home because it's bulkier.

Which level do you actually need?

For limb armor (shoulders, elbows, knees, hips), Level 2 is the default we recommend for any rider on public roads. The weight and bulk penalty over Level 1 is small with modern viscoelastic materials, and the protection margin is significant.

For back armor, the answer is even simpler: always Level 2 if you can fit it. Spinal injuries are the hardest to recover from, and the cost difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 back protector is usually under $30. There's no scenario on the road where Level 1 back is the smarter choice.

Riding style	Limbs	Back	Chest
City commuter (under 45 mph)	Level 1 minimum, Level 2 better	Level 2	Optional
Highway / sport touring	Level 2	Level 2	Level 1 or 2
Adventure / off-road	Level 2	Level 2	Level 2 (rocks, branches)
Track / racing	Level 2 + sub-9 kN	Sub-9 kN	Sub-9 kN

If your current jacket only has Level 1 padding or foam, swapping the inserts is usually a 10-minute job — see our guide to inserting Level 2 SAS-TEC armor for the steps.

Zone codes (S, E, K, H, CB) and Type A vs B

On the CE label of a protector, you'll see a letter code telling you where the armor is meant to go on the body:

Code	Body zone
S	Shoulder
E	Elbow / forearm
K	Knee
H	Hip
CB	Central back (spine)
FB	Full back

Alongside the zone code, you'll also see Type A or Type B. Type A is "reduced coverage" — smaller protectors designed for low-profile fit. Type B is "normal coverage" — larger surface area. Type B is the right answer for road use; Type A exists mainly for sport applications where mobility outweighs coverage.

Two Level 2 back protectors with very different fits

Two protectors can both carry the exact same CB · Level 2 · EN 1621-2 rating and still be the wrong (or right) shape for your jacket. The rating tells you how much force the armor transmits; it doesn't tell you whether the protector will sit flat in your back-pocket sleeve or buckle at the lumbar. Here's a concrete example using two of our top Level 2 back protectors:

Which one is right for you: Measure the back-pocket sleeve in your jacket and compare to the dimensions above. If you ride a Pando Moto jacket, the Quatroflex is the engineered drop-in. If you ride almost anything else with a standard back-pocket sleeve, the Tripleflex is the universal-fit answer — pick the Medium or Large based on your torso length and the pocket depth. Both clear the same Level 2 rating; the difference is geometry, not protection.

The half of the picture EN 1621 doesn't cover

Here's the part most riders miss, and most marketing copy obscures: CE Level 1 and CE Level 2 only cover impact. They say absolutely nothing about whether the jacket, hoodie, or pants you're wearing will survive an asphalt slide.

There are two separate CE standards. They test different things. You need both.

Standard	What it certifies	Rating scale
EN 1621 -1 limb, -2 back, -3 chest, -4 airbag	Impact absorption. How much force in kilonewtons the armor transmits through to your body when something hits it. Drop test, 5 kg striker, 50 J.	Level 1 (≤18 kN avg) or Level 2 (≤9 kN avg). Premium back protectors can also be tested to Sub-9, Sub-6, or Sub-4 for track use.
EN 17092 garment-level	Slide, abrasion, tear, and seam strength. How long the actual garment (jacket, hoodie, pants, base layer) holds together against asphalt at speed. Cambridge / AART abrasion test plus impact tear plus burst.	AAA (race-grade, highest) → AA (commuter, sport-touring) → A (urban, casual) → B (no impact armor required) → C (impact-protector carrier only).

The trap: A product can be marketed as "armored" or "CE Level 2 armor included" and still have zero abrasion certification. The armor protects you from blunt impact at the joint or back. But if the host garment isn't rated under EN 17092, the fabric itself can shred in under a second on asphalt — and the slide finishes on bare skin.

The two questions to ask about every piece of armored gear

1. What's the impact rating? Look for "CE Level 1" or "CE Level 2" under EN 1621. For back protectors, also look for Sub-9 / Sub-6 / Sub-4 markings. If the gear doesn't cite an EN 1621 level, the armor isn't independently tested.
2. What's the abrasion rating? Look for "CE AAA," "CE AA," or "CE A" under EN 17092. If the gear doesn't cite an EN 17092 class, the garment isn't rated for slide protection — only the inserts inside it (if any) are rated for impact.

If a product mentions only Level 1 / Level 2, it's telling you about impact. If a product mentions only A / AA / AAA, it's telling you about slide. If a product mentions both, you've got a fully-rated piece of gear. If a product mentions neither — it's not certified at all, no matter what the marketing says.

We covered the materials side of abrasion resistance in our piece on Aramid vs Kevlar vs Carbon Fiber — that's the chemistry behind why some fabrics earn an EN 17092 rating and others don't.

Related reading

• What does EN 1621-1:2012 mean? — the underlying impact standard explained in detail
• Aramid vs Kevlar vs Carbon Fiber — the materials that protect you from abrasion (the other half of the equation)
• Kevlar vs UHMWPE for motorcycle protection — the newer, stronger fiber rising in CE AAA-rated gear
• How to insert your Level 2 SAS-TEC armor — fit guide for upgrading a stock jacket

Originally published December 16, 2021. Updated May 12, 2026 with corrected EN 1621-1 transmitted-force figures, EN 1621 family overview, sub-9 kN ratings, and updated product references. Authored by Meghan Stark. Reviewed by Dan Wein, founder of Stealth Armor Co.