Page 18 - RidingOn156 SPRING 2022

Better riding gear

down under MotoCAP

vs European standards

Brian Wood #64502 put this article together and is Treasurer of The AMC does not support mandating protective clothing but
the Australian Motorcycle Council. rather it supports providing riders with information so they can
make an informed choice.
The Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program, known as
MotoCAP, is an independent rating scheme for motorcycle Why is MotoCAP required now that there is a tiered European
protective clothing to enable riders to make informed decisions standard (EN 17092)?
about what they buy and wear, and to encourage manufacturers
to increase the availability of effective protective clothing in the The European standard EN17092 has been developed for
market. European riding conditions. The EN 17092 abrasion test is
based on asphalt that is the predominant road type in Europe.
MotoCAP is based on over 20 years of research on what type It is a European standard for European riders.
and level of protection is required for Australian and New
Zealand riding conditions. MotoCAP is a star rating system that uses an abrasion test
which has been scientifically shown to behave the same as
The aim of MotoCAP is to provide an independent process for Australian and New Zealand chip seal roads. Chip seal is four
testing and publicising the protective and thermal management and a half times more abrasive than asphalt. MotoCAP provides
performance ofmotorcycle clothing, to encourage usage and advice for Australian and New Zealand riders about gear that
reduce injury rates. The objectives are to: will protect them when riding in Australia or New Zealand.
Enable riders to make informed decisions when buying gear; Why are some EN 17092 garments performing poorly on
MotoCAP?
Increase demand for better performing gear; Allow riders to
compare products on independently tested measures; Testing has identified 45 garments certified to EN 17092 that
have received half or one star for protection in MotoCAP. The
Encourage industry to compare their products with those of lower ratings are due to the different requirements for abrasion
their competitors; Providing incentives for industry to compete resistance testing in EN 17092. The European standard EN
on safety and thermal comfort; and 17092 uses the Darmstadt abrasion test method and a concrete
abrasion pad which is less abrasive than most Australian and
Improve overall safety for the riding community; New Zealand roads, and even some European roads. MotoCAP
MotoCAP won the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme uses the Cambridge abrasion test method (specified in EN
(FIM) 2019 Road Safety Award. The award was instituted as 13595-1:2002) which has been scientifically shown to perform
part of FIM’s contribution to the United Nations Decade of like Australian and New Zealand chip seal roads.
Action for Road Safety and is focused on improving road safety Not all EN 17092 garments perform poorly, with testing
for motorcycle, scooter and moped riders. https://www.fim- identifying that garments certified to EN 17092 can achieve 3
awards.com/en/trophies/trophies-2019 stars or better in MotoCAP. EN 17092 does not, however, enable
The Australian Motorcycle Council does not support the identification of superior performance garments, which it groups
introduction of a Standard as this is inappropriate and with others within broad performance classifications.
unworkable due to Australia’s diverse climate. Also, a Standard What is the difference between the Darmstadt abrasion test
provides no incentive for the continual improvement in the used in EN17092 and the Cambridge abrasion test used by
quality of protective clothing being offered for sale, it will only MotoCAP?
set a minimum quality that has to be achieved.
The Darmstadt impact abrasion test machine is designed to

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