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In our previous posts, we examined the safety levels used in motorcycle equipment and what the AA certification means.
So what do Level 1 and Level 2 protectors found in motorcycle pants and jackets mean?
Is a Level 2 protector really safer?
Let's take a look together.
Quick Answer
The main difference between Level 1 and Level 2 protectors is the amount of energy they can absorb during an impact.
Level 2 protectors aim to reduce the force reaching the body by absorbing the impact more.
Therefore, in terms of protection performance, Level 2 is considered a step above.
What is a Level 1 Protector?
Level 1 protectors are protectors that have passed the necessary safety tests for motorcycle use.
They are standard in many pieces of equipment and provide important protection for daily use.
Therefore, Level 1 protectors are not “unprotective” products. On the contrary, they are equipment that meets specific safety standards.
What is a Level 2 Protector?
Level 2 protectors also pass the same tests, but they must show higher impact absorption performance.
In short, they aim to reduce the force reaching the rider's body by absorbing a larger portion of the energy during an impact.
Therefore, many riders prefer Level 2 protectors for long-distance riding and higher protection expectations.
At SoHo Riders, we do not see safety as merely fabric durability or certification level. We believe that the performance of the protectors used is also one of the important parts of the overall protection level of the equipment. Therefore, when developing our equipment, we make sure to use Level 2 protectors with high impact absorption performance.
Is the Protector Level Enough on Its Own?
Actually, no.
Just as a motorcycle pant being AA certified, the level of the protectors used inside is also one of the important parts of the overall safety structure of the equipment.
However, the safety of the equipment is not just about the protector.
The protector staying in the right place, the durability of the fabric used, and the overall structure of the product are at least as important as the protector itself.
Therefore, when evaluating motorcycle equipment, both the certification level and the protectors used should be considered together.
Rider's Note
One of the questions we hear most often at trade shows:
“Doesn't Level 1 protect me?”
Actually, both Level 1 and Level 2 protectors are products that have passed the necessary tests for motorcycle use.
The difference between them appears in impact absorption performance.
Therefore, it would be more accurate to evaluate their levels not as “protects or does not protect,” but as a difference in protection performance.
Conclusion
The main difference between Level 1 and Level 2 protectors is the amount of energy they can absorb during an impact.
Although both levels have passed safety tests, Level 2 protectors offer higher impact absorption performance.
Therefore, when choosing motorcycle equipment, it will be useful to pay attention not only to the certification level, but also to the features of the protectors used.
In our next post, we will take a close look at another concept frequently heard in motorcycle equipment:
What Are Kevlar Motorcycle Pants? Do They Really Make a Difference?
SoHo Journal Note
This post is prepared for riders who want to make informed choices about motorcycle equipment.
In SoHo Journal, we address topics about motorcycle life from a rider's perspective, from safety standards to equipment choices, long-distance experiences to real user stories.
Author: Soho Riders Team
Level 1 and Level 2 in Numbers
In the EN 1621-1 impact test, the measurement cell under the protector records how much of the impact reaches the body. The limits of the two levels are as follows:
| Measurement | Level 1 | Level 2 |
| Average transmitted force | ≤ 35 kN | ≤ 20 kN |
| Highest value in a single impact | ≤ 50 kN | ≤ 30 kN |
That is, a Level 2 protector must keep the average force reaching the body approximately %43 lower than Level 1. For details on the test method, you can check the how motorcycle equipment is tested post.
Related Product
You can see the structure described in this post in Falcon: EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA certified, EN 1621-1 Level 2 knee and hip protection included in the price, 13 oz denim with para-aramid panels.
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