How MotoGearRater Scores Motorcycle Gear
Updated: Sep 2
QUICK ANSWER
MotoGearRater rates every product with eight independent 0–100 scores — Protection, Durability, Comfort, Craftsmanship, Heritage, USA-Made, Value, and Ventilation. Each score is a weighted sum of published sub-criteria measured against fixed anchor scales. Every number on this site is reproducible: a stranger could rebuild it from the inputs on this page. When we lack enough verified inputs, we publish "Not Yet Rated" instead of guessing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Eight scores, each on a 0–100 scale, weighted from published sub-criteria.
Fixed weights. They don't change per product. If a rubric changes, the version number changes and affected scores are recomputed.
Evidence-backed. Every sub-criterion links to a spec, a certification, or a MotoGearRater test log.
Coverage rule: we publish a score only when we have verified inputs for at least 80% of its sub-criteria, and we show that coverage next to the score.
No phantom tests. A certification is cited as a certification, never dressed up as an in-house lab test.
THE MASTER FORMULA
For a score S with sub-criteria c₁…cₙ and weights w₁…wₙ (weights sum to 1.0), where each sub-criterion is normalized to a 0–100 value:
Input coverage = sub-criteria with real evidence ÷ total sub-criteria.
We publish S only when coverage ≥ 0.80, and we always display the coverage figure.
THE EIGHT SCORES
Each table below is the complete, public rubric. The "anchor scale" column is how a real-world observation becomes a 0–100 sub-score.
MotoGearRater Protection Score™
The headline safety number. Applies to jackets, gloves, vests, armored garments.
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale (observation → 0–100) |
Abrasion class | 0.30 | EN 17092 AAA=100 · AA=80 · A=60 · B=45 · C=30 · unrated=10 (gloves: EN 13594 KP+L2=100) |
Impact protection | 0.25 | EN 1621 Level 2 all key zones=100 · Level 1 all zones=70 · partial=40 · none=10 |
Coverage of impact zones | 0.20 | % of shoulders/elbows/back/hips protected, scaled 0→100 |
Abrasion-resistant base material | 0.15 | Full-grain ≥1.2mm=100 · textile w/ stated abrasion=70 · fashion leather <1.0mm=40 |
Seam / closure integrity | 0.10 | Pass at AA load=100 · A load=70 · untested=30 |
MotoGearRater Durability Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Leather grade | 0.25 | Full-grain=100 · top-grain=75 · genuine/split=45 · bonded=10 |
Leather weight / thickness | 0.20 | ≥3.0oz (1.2mm)=100 · 2.5–3.0=85 · 2.0–2.5=65 · <2.0=40 |
Stitch construction | 0.20 | Double/triple lock-stitch at stress points=100 · single=60 · glued=25 |
Hardware grade | 0.15 | YKK/Talon metal + solid rivets=100 · branded metal=75 · generic=40 |
Tanning suitability | 0.10 | Appropriate tanning documented=100 · unstated=50 |
Construction method | 0.10 | Outseam where protective + reinforced panels=100 · basic=50 |
MotoGearRater Comfort Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Break-in (MotoGearRater Break-In Test) | 0.30 | <1hr=100 · 1–5hr=80 · 5–15hr=55 · >15hr=30 |
Ergonomic shaping / articulation | 0.25 | Full=100 · partial=60 · flat/none=30 |
Liner material | 0.20 | Moisture-managing natural=100 · basic synthetic=60 · unlined where needed=35 |
Weight on body | 0.15 | Best-in-class band=100 · heavy=50 |
Closure comfort | 0.10 | Adjustable, no pressure points=100 · fixed/pinching=40 |
MotoGearRater Craftsmanship Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Seam quality (Stitch Integrity inspection) | 0.30 | Even SPI, no skips=100 · minor flaws=65 · visible defects=30 |
Finishing | 0.25 | Burnished edges, clean set=100 · acceptable=60 · rough=30 |
Sourcing transparency | 0.20 | Tannery/origin stated=100 · partial=60 · opaque=20 |
Panel / pattern accuracy | 0.15 | Symmetric, aligned grain=100 · minor=60 · poor=25 |
Repairability | 0.10 | Replaceable/repairable=100 · disposable=30 |
MotoGearRater Heritage Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Documented brand history | 0.35 | >50yr=100 · 20–50=75 · <20=45 · none=15 |
American manufacturing roots | 0.30 | Continuous US mfg=100 · partial/revived=60 · none=20 |
Design lineage | 0.20 | Original heritage pattern=100 · faithful repro=70 · generic=30 |
Cultural footprint | 0.15 | Notable=100 · some=55 · none=20 |
MotoGearRater USA-Made Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Final assembly location | 0.30 | USA=100 · partial=55 · imported=10 |
Material origin | 0.25 | US-sourced & tanned=100 · US-tanned import hide=70 · imported=25 |
Hardware origin | 0.15 | US/named premium=100 · imported branded=60 · generic=30 |
Labor transparency | 0.15 | Facility named=100 · region only=55 · none=15 |
FTC "Made in USA" compliance | 0.15 | "All or virtually all"=100 · qualified claim=60 · none=20 |
MotoGearRater Value Score™
Value = durability-adjusted cost of ownership, not cheapness.
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Cost per projected service year | 0.45 | Lowest in category band=100 → highest=0 |
Resale / longevity retention | 0.25 | Patinas/holds value=100 · degrades=30 |
Warranty / repair support | 0.20 | Lifetime/repair program=100 · limited=55 · none=20 |
Protection per dollar | 0.10 | Protection Score ÷ price percentile, 100→0 |
Projected service life model (v1.0): years = 3 + (DurabilityScore ÷ 100 × 12) → a deliberately conservative 3–15 year range. This output is also published as the MotoGearRater Longevity Score™.
MotoGearRater Ventilation Score™
Sub-criterion | Weight | Anchor scale |
Airflow design | 0.40 | Active intake+exhaust=100 · perforated=75 · none=25 |
Heat Retention Test (inverse) | 0.30 | Lowest retention in class=100 → highest=0 |
Seasonal range | 0.20 | True 3-season=100 · 2-season=65 · single=35 |
Moisture management | 0.10 | Wicking + drainage=100 · none=40 |
WORKED EXAMPLE: HOW INPUTS MOVE A SCORE
Below is an illustrative calculation for a heritage horsehide jacket, shown to demonstrate the method (inputs stated, not a verdict on a specific SKU). It also shows our integrity rule in action: leather quality alone does not buy a high Protection Score — impact armor and certification do.
Durability Score
Sub-criterion | Input | Sub-score | × Weight |
Leather grade | Full-grain horsehide | 100 | 25.0 |
Leather weight | ~3.2 oz (1.3 mm) | 100 | 20.0 |
Stitch construction | Double lock-stitch, not triple everywhere | 85 | 17.0 |
Hardware grade | Talon zipper + solid rivets | 100 | 15.0 |
Tanning suitability | Documented | 100 | 10.0 |
Construction method | Outseam + reinforced panels | 90 | 9.0 |
Durability Score | 96 / 100 |
Protection Score — two scenarios, same jacket
Sub-criterion | Without armor | With Level-1 inserts |
Abrasion class (uncertified garment) | 10 → 3.0 | 10 → 3.0 |
Impact protection | 10 → 2.5 | 70 → 17.5 |
Coverage of impact zones | 10 → 2.0 | 75% → 15.0 |
Abrasion-resistant base material (full-grain) | 100 → 15.0 | 100 → 15.0 |
Seam integrity (untested) | 30 → 3.0 | 30 → 3.0 |
Protection Score | 26 / 100 | 54 / 100 |
The lesson, stated plainly on the product page: a beautifully made horsehide jacket can be a 96 for durability and still a 26 for impact protection until armor is added. We never let one strength hide a weakness.
OUR TESTS
Scores that depend on testing draw from published, repeatable protocols documented at /testing-methodology/: Break-In, Stitch Integrity, Touchscreen, Water Resistance, Heat Retention, Cold Weather, Comfort, and Long-Term Durability. Lab-dependent abrasion and seam-burst testing are conducted with a partner lab; until then, Protection Scores cite certification inputs and say so.
FAQ
How are MotoGearRater scores calculated?
Each of the eight scores is a weighted sum of published sub-criteria, each normalized to a 0–100 value against a fixed anchor scale, then rounded. The full rubric for every score is published on this page.
Can the scores be reproduced independently?
Yes. Every score links to its inputs — specs, certifications, or test logs — and the weights are fixed and public, so the same inputs always yield the same score.
Why do some products say "Not Yet Rated"?
Because we only publish a score when we have verified inputs for at least 80% of its sub-criteria. We would rather show nothing than guess.
Do better-known or American-made brands get higher scores automatically?
No. Heritage and USA-Made are separate scores with their own rubrics. They never inflate Protection, Durability, or Value, which are judged purely on measured inputs.
Do the weights ever change?
Only with a new version number. When a rubric is revised, we recompute affected scores and note it in the changelog.
SCHEMA
Internal links: Testing Methodology hub · What Is Horsehide? · What Is CE Armor? · What Is Full-Grain Leather? · Best Horsehide Motorcycle Jackets · About MotoGearRater
External (natural): legendaryusa.com
