A candid review from Cruiseman's Garage

Look, I've been riding for years, and I've tested a lot of gear. When Bohn sent me their new Level 2 armor to check out, I'll be honest—I wasn't expecting to be this impressed. But after spending a few days with it? I'm swapping out every piece of armor in my riding gear.

Let me tell you why.

The Comfort Factor Everyone's Been Waiting For

Here's the thing about most motorcycle armor: it sucks to wear. It's stiff, it's hot, and after an hour in the saddle, you're wondering if the protection is worth the discomfort. I know plenty of riders who just give up and go with jeans and a t-shirt because they can't stand their gear.

That's always been the beauty of Bohn's stuff. Their armor actually feels good to wear. And this new Level 2 system? Even better. The flexibility is honestly ridiculous. I'm sitting here rolling these hip protectors up like a newspaper. Try that with your old armor.

But Does It Actually Protect Better?

Okay, so it's comfortable. Great. But what about protection? This is where the Level 2 certification matters, and I want to break this down in plain English because the CE rating stuff can get confusing.

Basically, Level 1 certified armor can transmit up to 18 kilonewtons of force through to your body. Level 2? Only 9 kilonewtons, literally half the impact force. That's not a small difference. That's the kind of difference that could mean everything in a crash.

The shoulder, elbow, back, hip, and knee protectors all carry this Level 2 certification. And I have to say, when I compared the new back protector to the old one Bohn made, it's night and day. The previous version was basically just a padded rail—it was okay, but nothing special. This new one is substantial, thick, and clearly designed to actually protect your spine. I'm genuinely excited about this upgrade.

Lighter Than My D3O Gear

I'm kind of a gear nerd, so I broke out my scale to do some comparisons. I put a D3O shoulder protector on there (also Level 2 certified) and it weighed 3.4 ounces. The Bohn Level 2 shoulder protector? 2.3 ounces. That's 1.1 ounces lighter, which is almost a 30% weight reduction.

Now multiply that across every armor piece in your jacket and pants. That weight adds up. And we're not talking about sacrificing protection—we're getting the same or better safety with less bulk. That's a win in my book.

The Ventilation Game-Changer

Take a look at these new protectors and you'll see holes everywhere. Strategic ventilation channels run through each piece. In the summer, when you're sweating just sitting at a stoplight, this is going to make a real difference. The old armor would trap heat. This new stuff actually breathes.

Built to Last (And Last)

Here's something most people don't know about armor: most of it is single-use. You go down once, and even if the armor looks fine, you're supposed to replace it. Not with this viscoelastic foam material Bohn is using. Unless you see visible damage, you can keep using it. That's a big deal for your wallet and for knowing your gear is ready to protect you ride after ride.

Works With Whatever Gear You've Got

You don't need to buy all new Bohn garments to use this armor. I slipped these pieces into my Olympia riding jacket and pants, and they fit perfectly. If you've already got riding gear with armor pockets, chances are these will work just fine.

The hip and thigh protectors used to be marked left and right, which was kind of annoying. Now they're universal. Just grab one and put it in. Small detail, but it makes installation easier.

My Real-World Take

I've been a fan of Bohn for a while now. I even did a review of their armor a couple years back. But this Level 2 system is a legitimate upgrade, not just a marketing refresh. The protection is better, the weight is lower, the ventilation is improved, and somehow they made it even more comfortable than before.

Plus, it's made right here in the USA by an American company, which matters to me.

Am I going to swap all my armor? Absolutely. The back protector alone is worth the upgrade, but when you add up all the improvements across every piece, it's a no-brainer.

If you're still riding around with whatever cheap armor came with your jacket, or if you're one of those riders who ditches the armor because it's uncomfortable, this is the system that might actually change your mind. It's protection you'll actually want to wear—and that's the only kind of protection that works.

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Cruiseman is a motorcycle gear reviewer and long-time rider who believes in the power of quality safety equipment. He received the Level 2 armor from Bohn for testing but maintains complete editorial independence in his reviews.