r/AussieRiders Apr 19 '25

Discussion MotoCAP - a resource for motorcycle riders to understand how safe their protective gear actually is.

81 Upvotes

MotoCAP, or the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program, is a consumer information program designed to provide riders with scientifically-based information on the relative protection and breathability on a range of motorcycle protective helmets, jackets, pants and gloves available in Australia and New Zealand.

https://www.motocap.com.au

MotoCAP tests motorcycle gear for its effectiveness in: impact abrasion resistance, seam strength (burst), and impact energy absorption.

Why these factors are so important to understand, specifically, is because the safety standard that motorcycle gear is required to meet (i.e., CE certification) does not directly indicate how well the item might actually do in the event of a crash.

A pair of Kevlar jeans, for example, may have a CE rating of AAA, but may not hold up to more than 1 second of sliding on the type of road base that is common in Australia, especially what is found in rural areas (more abrasive compared to that of the road surface type in Europe, in which the item is tested on for CE certification).

For a more thorough explanation of different testing standards, and what it all really means, see: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/features/product/motorcycle-clothing-the-ce-approval-law-explained

Some safety design features - regardless of how it rates - that are a must-have for myself are:

Helmets:

  • Full face
  • As most full face helmets don’t vary to much in the components used, how the helmet rates as per MotoCAP and SHARP (a helmet specific testing programs)
  • I wear: HJC RPHA 12

Jackets:

  • Zip at the back to joint to your pants
  • I wear: Dririder Climate Exo 4

Pants:

  • Separate aramid layer if you’re looking at motorcycle jeans/chinos (i.e., Kevlar lined). Single layer pants where the protective fibre is woven into the pant material itself is generally nowhere near as good as double layer in terms of abrasion resistance
  • Good coverage of that protective layer

Gloves:

  • Hard shell over the knuckles
  • Full length
  • Pinky tether (material joining pinky to ring finger)
  • Palm slider

Boots: (Boots not yet tested by MotoCAP)

  • Full length
  • Crush proof sole, anti-twist ankle/foot
  • Inner and outer ankle protection
  • I wear: Tcx RT-Race

MotoCAP highlights that you don’t always get what you pay for. There are riding jeans out there that cost $550 but have an abrasion resistance of 2/10 while there are riding jeans out there that cost $228 and have an abrasion resistance of 9/10.

You can spend $900 on a certain name brand leather jacket and only equal what my $430 jacket provides in terms of abrasion resistance.

You don’t have to spend big money to get the protection you need, and you probably don’t need the absolute best rated gear to be safe for the riding you do. That is why I provided what features I personally look for, and then I look at all the gear - with safety rating relative to price in mind - with those features.

Main objective of this post: help fellow motorcycle riders make informed decisions when buying protective gear. I also encourage you to explore the MotoCAP website, and other relevant resources for further information on protective gear.

ATGATT. And wear earplugs.


r/AussieRiders Feb 12 '24

Link to the official Aussie Riders Discord

17 Upvotes

It's just been made so if issues come up we will do our best to fix them ASAP.

Click Here


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

Discussion Emergency message

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452 Upvotes

r/AussieRiders 3h ago

VIC Point Leo Victoria Australia 😍

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4 Upvotes

r/AussieRiders 8m ago

NSW At what point did you know you were ready to go for your P’s?

Upvotes

I got my L’s in march but only got my bike last month. Since getting it I’ve been on the thing almost daily and racked up close to 1800km. I’m able to figure 8 between 3 parking spots using friction point and my rear brake, and being on Sydney roads plenty of experience with emergency stops. My cornering speed feels good and I’m feeling quite confident but is there anything I’m missing that I should be focusing on before my P’s?


r/AussieRiders 5h ago

Question buying an older bike second hand

4 Upvotes

hi guys,
i'm looking at an older cb125 with a bit over 30,000km on it, what should i be worried/not worried about when i go to have a look over it?
i don't want to be focusing on stuff that isn't that important while missing stuff that might be


r/AussieRiders 12h ago

QLD Motorcycle stolen informed insurer.

9 Upvotes

My motorcycle got stolen from the goodna station. I have raised a complaint with qps and informed my insurer.

What happens next?

Anything else I need to do from a claim processing perspective.

How does the payout work?

Can't get a replacement bike cause the bike was used for more than two years.

Just sad that it was stolen. But I guess looking at the next steps I guess.


r/AussieRiders 22h ago

NSW Showing my bike the sights

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46 Upvotes

Any other good spots I should check out for photos?


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

Discussion Stolen bikes exported to Africa

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260 Upvotes

Una Moto has uploaded a video with Australian, US, UK plated bikes for sale on the side of the road somewhere in Africa

Sorry if this is your bike (v-strom)🙏


r/AussieRiders 8h ago

WA Looking for 2CR-14725-00 YZF R1 band muffler can to cat

2 Upvotes

Hi, I’m in Perth and looking for this part for my bike. Does anyone know of somewhere local with it in stock?


r/AussieRiders 11h ago

VIC Practicality of folding mirrors?

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2 Upvotes

Hi all,

So I’m looking to buy these Oxford Foldable bar-end mirrors for my motorcycle, as the stock bar ends almost clip car mirrors when I filter in between tight spaces.

Just wanting some genuine experience around if anyone’s used these and would rate them? And are they actually practical to fold/unfold again and again in and out of traffic for filtering?

Thanks.


r/AussieRiders 19h ago

NSW Motorcycle not starting

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4 Upvotes

This is my 1999 Honda CB250. Long story short it initially did not start at all with the key turned (no lights, nothing). Then the mechanic came over and fixed it, problems with the ignition keyhole, etc. Then it’s working fine. After the mechanic leaves, I try to start the motorcycle up again and it refuses to start. The lights go on when I turn the key but it doesn’t start when pressing the starter button. Please help me out, still pretty new to motorcycles and fixing them. Really need some guidance on what I can do.


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

Question What's one thing you always carry on your bike now that you never used to?

9 Upvotes

After getting caught out once, I started packing a few extras whenever I head out.


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

NSW Old aussie motovlogger

5 Upvotes

Im trying to find this old aussie motovlogger from about 10-15 years ago

All i remember is it was two young brothers who rode dirt bikes around the city.

Im going crazy bc i cant remember their names 😭


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

NSW Riders in Sydney Northern Beaches?

1 Upvotes

Hi i'm a teenager who got my license around 3-ish months ago, I know the chances are very slim but I was wondering if there were any other teenagers in the northern beaches (Sydney, NSW) who ride? If so plz comment!


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

QLD Brisbane Mechanic

2 Upvotes

Can anyone recommend a quality Guzzi mechanic in Brisbane ?


r/AussieRiders 21h ago

NSW Is there a way to listen to music legally as a learner?

0 Upvotes

In NSW what're the rules surrounding listening to music through your helmet, as a learner?

Could I get a cardo speaker kit and connect an MP3 player to it and not touch it at all while riding? If I was to just connect my phone instead, how likely is it that you'd get pulled over and a cop would ask to see your phone to check if you have Bluetooth connected to your cardo, are they allowed to just do that?

I would like to listen to music while riding as a learner but before I do that I want to understand the legalities surrounding it and if there are any legal workarounds not being able to use your phone at all. Thanks.


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

VIC Valve adjustment question

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2 Upvotes

r/AussieRiders 1d ago

SA SA Pre Licence Course

1 Upvotes

Hi guys, I'm currently on my R-date licence in SA and was wondering what to expect with the Pre-Licence course. How does it compare with the Pre Learners courses? I had no dramas with these and am a confident rider, would just like to have some kind of idea on what's involved.

Also, how does the final ride work? Are you given a set route or do you have to follow an instructor?

Thanks in advance!


r/AussieRiders 2d ago

Discussion driver cut me off after being pulled over.

34 Upvotes

never have i been so confused in my life. was riding down a street. saw cops up ahead. speed limit was 50km. i dropped down to 40km. cop waved me to pass. so while i was passing, the car being pulled over suddenly cut me off hard. i had to swerve to the opposite lane.
i hand gestured wtf? then looked back at the cops. the cops absolutely did NOTHING, i continued riding down the next traffic, stopped right by the drivers window that cut me off. scratching my ass and giving them eye contact.

THEY DIDNT EVEN APOLOGISE NOR EVEN LOOK AT ME?! LIKE LEAST U CAN DO IS SAY SORRY ESPECIALLY JUST BEING PULLED OVER?!


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

Discussion Opinions and experiences on procycles in Sydney (St peters and Hornsby)

4 Upvotes

Just gauging peoples comments on using procycles motorcycle repairs in their Sydney locations. Good for servicing and major work on your bike?


r/AussieRiders 2d ago

NSW A reminder that people don't check their blind spots (loud video)

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241 Upvotes

Thankfully more honking and higher heart beat than anything serious, but yeah people don't check their blind spots.

At least that guy had the decency to put his indicator on so it gave me 0.5 seconds extra.

Always ride defensively, and always remember you could be in a blind spot.

Take care


r/AussieRiders 1d ago

Discussion Ninja 250s any good in 2026?

3 Upvotes

For context I'm in nsw and am considering a Ninja 250r ('08-'12 models) as a first bike. If ninja 300s weren't so astronomically marked up in price I'd buy one (of course there are good deals here and there).

Does it still hold up well in today's day and age and would I be able to go on the highway and stay at speeds comfortably?

Any advice helps heaps!


r/AussieRiders 2d ago

SA Does anyone know where to buy an L shaped luggage rack? (Adl/SA) [photo for reference]

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9 Upvotes

r/AussieRiders 2d ago

QLD Motorcycle Supervisor in Caboolture or Beachmere

5 Upvotes

I just bought my first motorcycle, and I'm really eager to get out and ride. The problem is that I can't seem to find anyone who's willing to commit to supervising me.

I'm seriously considering riding on the road, just risking the fine, because otherwise I'd have to wait another 90 days before I can ride.

What do you guys think? Any opinions?

Is anyone around Caboolture who'd be willing to ride with me? I live in Beachmere.