CE Ratings Explained: What AAA, Level 1 & Level 2 Mean for Motorcycle Gear
If you've been shopping for motorcycle protective gear, you've probably seen terms like "CE AAA rated" or "CE Level 2 armor" thrown around. But what do they actually mean — and why should you care before you buy?
This guide breaks down the CE rating system in plain English, so you can make an informed decision about the gear protecting you on the road.
What Is CE Certification?
CE stands for Conformité Européenne — a European safety standard that's become the global benchmark for motorcycle protective gear. CE-certified products have been independently tested and verified to meet minimum impact and abrasion resistance thresholds.
For motorcycle gear, two key standards apply:
- EN 17092 — garment abrasion resistance for jackets, trousers, shirts, and one-piece suits. (The standard covers these garment types; a garment only carries a class once it has actually been tested and passed.)
- EN 1621 — impact protection for armor inserts (EN 1621-1 for limbs: hips, knees, elbows, shoulders; EN 1621-2 for back protectors).
Abrasion Ratings: AAA, AA, and A
Under EN 17092, motorcycle clothing is rated for how well it resists abrasion in a slide — the most common type of crash impact.
- Class A — minimum protection, suitable for low-speed urban riding
- Class AA — mid-level protection, good for general road use
- Class AAA — the highest rating, designed for high-speed road and touring use
The FlexGuard® Hydro Jeans and FlexGuard® Air Mesh Jeans both carry CE AAA certification — the top tier for motorcycle denim. Most standard jeans on the market don't come close.
Armor Ratings: Level 1 vs Level 2
Armor inserts (the protectors at your hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders) are rated separately under EN 1621-1:
- Level 1 — transmits less than 35 kN of force on average. Good everyday protection.
- Level 2 — transmits less than 20 kN of force on average. Significantly higher impact absorption — the standard used in racing and high-risk riding.
Back protectors are tested to a separate standard (EN 1621-2) with their own thresholds — Level 1 below 18 kN, Level 2 below 9 kN. These back-protector figures are specific to EN 1621-2 and are not the same numbers used to rate limb armour, so don't compare the two directly.
Streetbrawl armored shirts and hoodies ship with CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows, with an optional back protector available separately. This includes the FlexGuard® Air Mesh Armored Riding Shirt, the Blackwatch™ Hybrid Armored Shirt, the Overland™ Armored Shirt, and the Nightfall™ Reflective Armored Hoodie.
Is There Such a Thing as a CE AAA Motorcycle Shirt?
Right now, not in the Streetbrawl range — and it's worth being precise about why. EN 17092 garment certification (A, AA, AAA) is awarded to a finished garment for abrasion resistance. Today, only Streetbrawl jeans carry an EN 17092 rating, and it's the top class: CE AAA. The current armored shirts and the Nightfall™ hoodie provide CE Level 2 limb armour (EN 1621-1) but are not themselves garment abrasion-certified — so calling any of them a "CE AAA shirt" would be inaccurate.
The distinction matters: a shirt can carry certified Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows while its shell holds no EN 17092 garment class at all. Both are real protection, but they certify different things — the armour (EN 1621) versus the garment fabric (EN 17092).
That said, garment-certified shirts are where the market is heading, and Streetbrawl is developing one: a riding shirt engineered to target EN 17092 Class AAA is in testing. Until a certificate is issued we won't label any shirt "CE AAA" — but when one earns it, you'll see the EN 17092 class stated explicitly, exactly as it is on the jeans today.
Garment Certification vs Armour Certification
| Garment Certification (EN 17092) | Armour Certification (EN 1621) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it rates | The garment's abrasion resistance | The impact protectors (inserts) |
| Classes / levels | AAA, AA, A | Level 1, Level 2 |
| Applies to | Jeans, jackets, shirts, suits (as tested) | Hip, knee, elbow, shoulder (1621-1); back (1621-2) |
| Streetbrawl status | Jeans = AAA; shirts & hoodie = not garment-certified | All armoured products = CE Level 2 limb armour; back protector optional |
Why It Matters
A pair of jeans that looks like motorcycle gear isn't the same as gear that is motorcycle gear. CE certification is the difference between clothing that might survive a slide and clothing that's been independently proven to.
When you're choosing between products, look for:
- The specific CE standard (EN 17092 for garments, EN 1621 for armor)
- The class or level (AAA/AA/A for garments, Level 1 or 2 for armor)
- Whether armor is included or sold separately
Shop CE-Rated Motorcycle Gear
Every piece of Streetbrawl gear is built to a certified standard — not just a marketing claim. Browse our full range of motorcycle jeans, armored riding shirts, and riding hoodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CE AAA mean?
It's the highest abrasion class under EN 17092 for a finished garment. Streetbrawl jeans are CE AAA.
Is there a CE AAA motorcycle shirt?
Not in the current Streetbrawl range. Only jeans are EN 17092 garment-certified; the shirts and hoodie provide CE Level 2 limb armour but are not garment abrasion-certified. A garment-certified shirt is in development.
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 armour?
Level 2 absorbs more impact energy than Level 1 under EN 1621. Streetbrawl uses CE Level 2 limb armour.
Is the back protector included?
No. Limb armour is included; the back protector is an optional add-on sold separately.