HOMOLOGATION AND FFM STANDARDS

Motocross protection standards are important to ensure rider safety when practicing this sport. Here's some useful information to know about motocross protection standards:

1. Motocross protection standards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Motocross protection standards include requirements for helmets, goggles, gloves, boots, shin guards, knee pads, elbow pads, jackets and pants.

3. Helmets used in motocross must comply with the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are DOT, ECE and SNELL.

4. Goggles must be fitted with UV protection and a ventilation system to prevent fogging.

5. Gloves must be shock- and abrasion-resistant, and have a good grip for precise handling of motorcycle controls.

6. Boots must offer sufficient protection for the ankles and shins, as well as a good grip to prevent slipping on the footrests.

7. Shin, knee and elbow pads must be designed to absorb shock and reduce the risk of fractures or injury.

8. Protective jackets and pants should offer protection against impact, friction and cuts.

It's important to choose protective gear that's approved for motocross use, to ensure maximum safety. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on the most suitable equipment for your riding.

Approval of personal equipment

 

Head protection: Helmets = ECE 22-05 - P - NP - J

The helmet is the most important piece of protective equipment in motocross, as it protects the rider's head and brain in the event of a fall or collision. Here's some useful information to know about motocross helmet protection standards:

1. Helmet protection standards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Helmets used in motocross must comply with the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are DOT, ECE and SNELL.

3. Helmets must be designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of head trauma in the event of impact.

4. Helmets must be fitted with a chin strap to protect the chin and jaw in the event of frontal impact.

5. Helmets must be well ventilated to prevent fogging and ensure good air circulation.

6. Helmets must be adjustable to suit the rider's morphology and offer optimum support.

7. Helmets must be fitted with a secure fastening system to prevent them from coming off in the event of an impact.

It's important to choose a quality, approved helmet to guarantee maximum protection in motocross. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on choosing the right helmet for your riding.

If the helmet does not comply with the standards, the technical steward can keep it and return it at the end of the event.

Approved and checked, it bears an FFM mark, glued to the right-hand chin strap.

The chinstrap is normally tightened to prevent loss in the event of a fall.

Standards for helmets authorized for national and international competition.

Europe - ECE 22-05 - P - NP - J

Japan - JIS T 8133

USA - SNELL 2010 or 2015 (2000 and 2005 prohibited)

In Speed or Hill Climb racing the type of helmet known as: Off Road (with protruding chin strap) is forbidden.

 

Stone guards:

Stone guards are an important piece of protective equipment in motocross, helping to protect the rider's chest and back in the event of a fall or collision. Here's some useful information to know about the protection standards for motocross stone guards:

1. Protection standards for stone guards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Stone guards must be designed to absorb impacts and reduce the risk of fractures or injuries.

3. They must offer sufficient protection for the rider's chest and back, while allowing sufficient freedom of movement for comfortable motocross riding.

4. Stone guards must be approved according to the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are CE and EN.

5. Stone guards must be adjustable to adapt to the rider's morphology and offer optimum support.

It's important to choose an approved, high-quality stone guard to guarantee maximum protection in motocross. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on choosing the right stone guard for your riding style.

 

Protection for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees = EN 1621-1

Standard EN 1621-1 concerns " Protective clothing against mechanical impact for motorcyclists - part 1 : joint impact protectors for motorcyclists - Requirements and test methods ", published in 1997. 

For level 1, the protectors are subjected to 12 impacts of 50 joules, equivalent to a weight of 5 kilos, dropped from a height of 1 meter. These impacts must not leave more than 35 kN of residual force on average, with a peak authorized on one of the impacts of up to 50 kN. 

For level 2, residual energy must not exceed an average of 20 kN, with peaks of 35 kN.  

 

Back protectors = EN 1621-2

Standard EN 1621-2 concerns " Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact - Part 2 : Back protectors - Requirements and test methods ", dating from 2003.

After 5 impacts of 50 J, including 2 on weak points :

• for level 1, the average residual force must not exceed 18 kN, with one impact authorized up to 24 kN ;
• for level 2, the average residual force must remain below 9 kN, with an authorized impact of up to 12 kN.

Where the level is not specified, level 1 protection is implied.

 

Thoracic protection = EN 1621-3

Standard EN 1621-3 concerns " Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact - Part 3 : Requirements and test methods for chest protectors ".

It specifies residual force values after an impact, as well as a measure of impact distribution : 20 kN on average, with a permitted peak of 35 kN, for an impact at 50 J.   

 

Airbags = EN 1621-4

Standard EN 1621-4 defines the minimum activation energy (for a mechanically triggered airbag), the minimum coverage area and the type of airbag. Activation time must be less than 200 m/s, i.e. 2.5 meters travelled at 50 km/h.

Residual airbag force is measured in the same way as for back protectors. It must not let through more than 4.5 kN on average and a peak of 6 kN for level 1, and only 2.5 kN on average and a peak of 3 kN for level 2.

 

Gloves = EN 13 594

Gloves are an important piece of protective equipment in motocross, as they protect the rider's hands in the event of a fall or collision. Here's some useful information to know about motocross glove protection standards:

1. Glove protection standards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Gloves used in motocross must comply with the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are CE and EN.

3. Gloves must be designed to absorb shock and reduce the risk of hand injury.

4. Gloves must offer a good grip to allow good control of the motorcycle.

5. Gloves must be adjustable to fit the shape of the rider's hand and offer optimum support.

6. Gloves should feature reinforced knuckle protection to protect the most sensitive areas of the hand in the event of impact.

It's important to choose high-quality, approved gloves for maximum protection in motocross. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on choosing the right gloves for your riding style.

The EN 13 594 standard for " Protective gloves for professional motorcyclists " dates from 2003.

At level 1, gloves must resist an abrasion of 1.5 seconds and a burst pressure of 40 N. They undergo tear and puncture tests. Their ergonomics and the safety of their raw materials are tested. Gloves are tested to ensure that they reach at least 1.5 cm below the base of the thumb, and cannot be torn off when slipping.  

If they have protective shells, an impact of 5 J must not result in a residual force of more than 4 kN.

At 2, abrasion resistance is increased to 5 seconds.

Gloves bearing the CE 89-686 standard and sold as motorcycle gloves are not actually approved. They do not undergo any of the tests that qualify them to be considered motorcycle gloves, even if they are promoted as such. CE code 89-686 is a generic designation under the PPE directive, making them self-certified gloves.

 

Boots = EN 13 634

Boots are an important piece of protective equipment in motocross, helping to protect the rider's feet and ankles in the event of a fall or collision. Here's some useful information to know about motocross boot protection standards:

1. Boot protection standards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Motocross boots must comply with the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are CE and EN.

3. Boots must be designed to absorb shock and reduce the risk of injury to feet and ankles.

4. Boots must offer good grip to enable a firm hold on the motorcycle's footrests.

5. Boots must be adjustable to fit the rider's foot and ankle morphology and offer optimum support.

6. Boots should be fitted with reinforced shin, ankle and toe protectors to protect the most sensitive areas in the event of impact.

It's important to choose quality, approved boots to guarantee maximum protection in motocross. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on choosing the right boots for your riding.

Standard EN 13 634 was updated in 2010. Up to size 36, the minimum height is 162 mm and 192 mm above that. Perforation resistance and rigidity are tested.

• Zone A requires an abrasion resistance of 1.5 seconds for level 1 and 2.5 seconds for level 2.
• As zone B is more exposed, abrasion resistance is increased to 5 seconds for level 1 and 12 seconds for level 2.

 

Jacket, pants, overalls = EN 13 595

Standard EN 13 595 dates back to 2002. Tests differ according to the risk of abrasion in the event of a fall. Level 1 is suitable for speeds below 50 km/h and level 2 for higher speeds.

Abrasion resistance, bursting and perforation (dropped blade 400 mm high)

 

Zones 1 and 2
Level 1	4 seconds - 700 kPa - 25 mm
Level 2	7 seconds - 800 kPa - 15 mm
Zones 3 and 4
Level 1	1.8 seconds - 500 kPa - 30 mm
Level 2	2.5 seconds - 600 kPa - 25 mm
Zone 4
Level 1	1 second - 400 kPa - 35 mm
Level 2	1.5 seconds - 450 kPa - 30 mm

 

Equipment in zone 1 - shoulders, elbows, hips and knees - must be fitted with shells to standard 1621-1 and pass tests on their ergonomics, as well as on the safety of their raw materials and dyes.

 

Goggles:

Goggles are an important piece of protective equipment in motocross, as they help protect the rider's eyes from splashes of dirt, sand, pebbles and other debris. Here's some useful information to know about goggle protection standards in motocross:

1. Goggle protection standards are defined by regulatory bodies such as the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2. Goggles used in motocross must comply with the safety standards in force in the country of use. The most common standards are CE and EN.

3. Goggles must offer maximum protection against splashes and impacts, while allowing clear, undistorted vision.

4. Goggles must be comfortable to wear and feature a ventilation system to prevent fogging.

5. Goggles must be compatible with motocross helmets, and offer a good grip in the event of a fall.

It's important to choose approved, high-quality goggles to guarantee maximum protection when motocross riding. Consult the safety standards in force in your country, and ask a professional for advice on choosing the right goggles for your riding.

IN ENDURO Disposable screens are forbidden

 

Noise levels:

  

Application of the French Environmental Code:

In the event of infringement, the Jury will decide on sanctions. Riders and companions must :

Collect and take away used garbage and tires.

Store used oils and liquids in the recycling bins.

Wash motorcycles with water, without detergent, only at the washing station.

Prohibited in paddocks

  

Environmental matting :

It is compulsory for machine maintenance in the paddock, refuelling and repair areas.

Minimum dimensions: 160 cm long and 100 cm wide

Watertight when in contact with the ground

It must absorb: at least 1 liter of liquid

It must be at least 5 to 7 mm thick.

 

Motorcycle or quad homologation :

Signage

All motorcycles must be equipped with warning lights. It must have  at the rear:

• 1 brake light ;
• 1 position light ;
• 1 number plate light ;
• 1 non-triangular retro-reflector ;
• 2 direction-indicator lights.

The 2 direction indicator lights must be between 350 mm and 1 200 mm high. They must be spaced at least 180 mm apart.

There must be no visible white light at the rear, except for vehicles fitted with reverse gear.

Mounting the license plate

License plate dimensions

The dimensions and positioning for mounting the license plate on the rear of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles are defined as follows.

For motorcycles and tricycles with a maximum power output of up to 15 kilowatts, and for quadricycles other than light quadricycles, but without bodywork :

• plate slot width : 280 mm ;
• height of space : 210 mm.

Inclination

Horizontally, the license plate must be mounted perpendicular to the median plane of the motorcycle. Vertically, it may be inclined at a maximum of :

• 30 degrees from the vehicle's vertical, when the vehicle is unladen and the face bearing the registration number is facing up ;
• 15 degrees, when the vehicle is not loaded and when the face bearing the registration number is facing downwards.

Maximum height

The license plate mounting point must never be higher than 1.50 meters above the ground when the vehicle is unladen.   

Minimum height

The minimum clearance from the ground for mounting the license plate is 0.20 m. If the wheel radius is below 0.20 m from the ground, the license plate can be fixed at this level. These measures apply to the vehicle when unladen.

Geometric visibility

The space for mounting the license plate is defined within two dihedrals (geometric figures formed by two half-planes having the same boundary line), to ensure optimum visibility.