Motorcycle crashes are viewed as one of the most disastrous traffic accidents in Nevada due to the vulnerability of the exposed rider. Motorcyclists have little protection between their bodies and sources of injury in a collision, such as friction burns, road rash and blunt-force trauma from contact with a roadway. Motorcycle armor can help remedy this problem by providing protection against serious injury risks. When a crash does happen, a Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney can help riders hold negligent drivers accountable and recover compensation for their injuries.
What Is Motorcycle Armor?
As the name suggests, motorcycle armor is a sophisticated type of gear that can be worn by motorcycle riders to add layers of protection between their bodies and the road or other potential sources of injury in a motorcycle accident.
In Nevada, a universal helmet law requires all motorcycle operators and their passengers to wear safety-approved helmets at all times. However, there are no standards or requirements in terms of motorcycle armor on the rest of the rider’s body.
Motorcycle armor puts protective material and padding on the body in places that are at the highest risk of injury in an accident, such as the back, shoulders, elbows, hips and lower extremities.
If a motorcyclist crashes while in motorcycle armor, the safety gear can absorb and evenly distribute some of the force of the accident, preventing it from being channeled to only one part of the body and causing more severe injuries.
What Is a Motorcycle Armor Rating?
Not all motorcycle armor offers the same level of protection. Motorcycle armor is rated or ranked based on official standards set by the European Union. There are two different ranking levels (known as CE, or “Conformité Européene”), differentiated by the amount of protection offered by each:
- CE Level 1: during a drop test, motorcycle armor in this level must transmit an average force of no more than 18 kN. This means it absorbs the majority of a bump or blow instead of letting it affect the wearer’s body directly. Level 1 is the baseline safety standard for motorcycle protective gear.
- CE Level 2: a stiffer and harder type of motorcycle armor that is designed to allow less force to pass through it than Level 1 protectors. This type of gear is typically chosen for more vulnerable parts of the body, such as the back and spinal cord. A Level 2 protector has a maximum transmitted force of below 9 kN.
The classification of a piece of motorcycle armor is determined during official testing, where the product is subjected to controlled impacts that are measured and set against the performance requirements. Performance indicators that are analyzed include seam strength, tear strength and impact abrasion resistance.
Do You Really Need Motorcycle Armor?
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries in traffic accidents in Nevada. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2024, motorcyclists were about 27 times more likely to die in accidents than motor vehicle occupants per vehicle mile traveled.
Reducing your risk of a life-changing injury as a motorcycle rider requires you to stay vigilant when it comes to your safety. This may include opting to wear motorcycle armor with a good armor rating for maximum protection. While motorcycle armor is not a legal requirement in Nevada, it is a smart choice that could provide life-saving protection in the event of an accident.