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LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 36 PRODUCT REVIEW
Under the Radar: Why Illegal

Motorcycle Helmets, Clothing, and

Leathers Are Sold in South Africa

The unmistakable growl of a motorcycle engine echoes through South African cities every day—from the
smooth tarmac of Cape Town's M3 to the bustling streets of Johannesburg's CBD. Motorcycling in South
Africa is more than a mode of transport; it's a lifestyle, an economic necessity, and for many, a passion. But
lurking beneath the surface of this vibrant culture is a dangerous and largely unregulated issue: the
widespread sale and use of illegal or non-compliant motorcycle gear.
So, why is illegal motorcycle clothing, helmets, and leathers so prevalent in South Africa? To answer that, we
must look into the murky intersections of economics, enforcement, public awareness, and cultural
perception.
The Cost of Safety border crossings or mislabeled
shipments that make it past inspections.
A Price Tag That's Out of Reach Once they're in, the products are sold at
spaza shops, flea markets, online
A certified motorcycle helmet that
meets ECE 22.06 (the latest European marketplaces like Facebook and
standard), DOT (U.S. standard), or the Gumtree, and even through legitimate-
older but common ECE 22.05 can cost looking dealerships.
anywhere from R2,500 to over “We see counterfeit safety stickers all
R10,000. Add to that jackets, boots, the time—DOT, ECE, whatever the
gloves, and full-body leathers—and a customer wants to see,” says an
complete set of gear can rival the price anonymous customs official in Durban.
of a used motorcycle. “But there's no central verification
system. We're blindfolded.”
For many South Africans, particularly
low-income riders who use motorbikes The Regulatory Gap
for deliveries or daily commuting, such
costs are simply unaffordable. As a Standards That Exist, But Don't
result, a parallel market has Always Matter
emerged—offering lower-priced gear
that mimics the look of certified South Africa technically has
equipment but lacks the quality control, regulations in place. The National Road
safety testing, and approval labels from Traffic Act mandates the use of
internationally recognized authorities. protective headgear when riding
motorcycles. The South African
“People don't want to die, they just can't Bureau of Standards (SABS) also has
afford not to take the risk,” says Thabo local helmet compliance standards.
Mokoena, a Johannesburg-based However, enforcement of these
motorbike courier. “You go with what regulations is minimal.

you can afford.”
Police officers performing roadside
Economics of Risk checks often confirm whether a helmet
is being worn—not whether that helmet
A Supply Chain of Shadows meets any legitimate safety standard.
There is little to no training or
Many of the illegal or substandard
motorcycle products entering the South equipment to evaluate whether a
African market originate from Asia, product's certification sticker is real or
particularly China, India, and Pakistan. fake. As a result, virtually any plastic
These countries manufacture a wide shell with a chin strap is assumed to be
variety of helmets and apparel—some compliant.
meeting international standards, others Additionally, South Africa lacks a
not. centralized, public database where
South Africa's porous borders and riders or law enforcement can verify
under-resourced customs enforcement approved helmet models. This creates
make it easy for these goods to enter the an environment where counterfeiters
country—either through informal can thrive.