Credit: Christopher Hurren - With one of his restored BSA bantams known as the exercise bike by his wife as she believes that he runs beside it more than he rides it.
We all choose our riding gear for comfort, style, and weather protection — trusting that if it’s sold as motorcycle gear, it must also keep us safe in a crash. But how much of that trust is based on proof, and how much is just assumption? This week we speak with the head of one of the world’s only independent labs that secretly buys gear off the shelf, crash-tests it, and publishes the results. What they’ve uncovered may completely change the way you think about the gear you’ve been relying on.
About: Christopher Hurren
Christopher Hurren is an Associate Professor at Deakin University, Australia, and a leading researcher in textile science and protective motorcycle clothing. With a background in fibre and fabric performance, his work focuses on improving rider safety through evidence-based testing and innovation in garment design.
Hurren is best known for his role as a principal researcher and technical advisor for MotoCAP — the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2018. Under his guidance, MotoCAP developed internationally recognised protocols for testing motorcycle jackets, pants, and gloves, rating their abrasion resistance, impact protection, breathability, and overall safety.
Beyond MotoCAP, he has published widely on the durability and performance of protective clothing, contributing to industry standards and offering practical guidance to manufacturers. His mission is to ensure riders are better informed about the gear they wear, and to drive the motorcycle clothing industry toward higher levels of transparency and protection.
MotoCAP — the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program — is an independent safety rating system for motorcycle gear in Australia and New Zealand. Backed by government and road-safety organizations, MotoCAP buys jackets, pants, and gloves from retailers and tests them in the lab for abrasion resistance, impact protection, seam strength, and breathability. The results are published as star ratings, giving riders clear, unbiased information about how well their gear will protect them and how comfortable it will be in real-world conditions.
Find MotoCAP online:
Website: www.motocap.com.au
Instagram: @motocap
