Helmet replacement:when??

Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:23 pm

Coming up soon on the sixth anniversary of ownership of my Arai Signet helmet. The helmet is in great condition. But I get somewhat 'noid, having read that the "experts" say that a helmet should be replaced every 5-6 years due to passive degradation of the helmet materials. Should I be replacing this (expensive!) dog? Gee, it *looks* like a perfectly good helmet......
stamper

Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:30 pm

totaly your call dude.

Whats your knoggen worth?

But seriosly if it were me I'd go a few more years,
heck I still have my openface with the stars and stripes on it.
Not that I use it for anything exept haloween Laughing

Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:00 pm

The helmet manufactures generally say about a 48 month service life in you do not crash in the helmet. I'say you might be able to double that figure if the helmet is well cared for & undamaged.

I know you still have your Bell Tour Star & it is just fine thank you. I just know I would not want to crash with my head in a 9 year old or older helmet.

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:46 am

Stamper,
I agree with Matt, I am a scrutineer for motorcycle racing, therefore the performance of helmets is very important to me. I also race so the performance of my helmets is more important. A helmet is designed for absorbing the impact of a collision. Whether the helmet is polycarbonate or Fiber. The padding inside of the helmet has only a limited life span. as the more you wear it the more compressed it becomes and therefore the more impact is transmitted to the head. Also Fibreglass and polycarbons break down over time with UV. so the shell will have less reistance to impact.
I know it it expensive and heartbreaking to replace what seem like good helmets. But if you only impact test a helmet once in your life. Then you want it to do its job.
Ken C

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:20 am

I read an article (can't remember which mag.) that claimed the exterior materials do not break down significantly over time - certainly not enough to degrade performance in an accident.

The primary reason helmets require replacement (other than being damaged) is compression of the inner foam 'buffer' material. This material can compress with repeated use of the helmet. I remember the article stated that this was more a factor of use, then a factor of time.

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:57 pm

The main reason you should replace your helmet every 48 months is that the manufacturers can sell you a new one.

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:10 pm

Thanks for the input, everybody. Coming on the heels of an engine rebuild, bore etc., the expense of replacing the helmet now is not a welcome one. I know everyone has an opinion on price/protection ratio, and I've had a tendency to spend the bigger bucks for my head protection. I probably will again.
This helmet, however, has experienced way fewer miles than I would actually have preferred (for various reasons....no need to go there in *this* thread). I may elect to wear it one more year.
Confused

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:46 pm

Another helmet replacement issue may be 'fit' . As time goes by the internal padding may compress and cause you noggin to slosh around a little too much causing an obvious safety issue should it 'ride up' at speed....even with an appropriate chin strap

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:00 pm

Matt at PSB wrote:

The helmet manufactures generally say about a 48 month service life in you do not crash in the helmet. I'say you might be able to double that figure if the helmet is well cared for & undamaged.

I know you still have your Bell Tour Star & it is just fine thank you. I just know I would not want to crash with my head in a 9 year old or older helmet.

Um, are you trying to tell me I shouldn't use my Ol' Reliable??

I believe it's made of the finest grade British cardboard.
(OOPS, I mis-spoke, it's made out of the finest grade British CORK.
That makes all the difference.)

Things just ain't as good as they was in the old days..
Staplers, Helmets, anything.

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:17 pm

No Leo those British pudding bowls never wear out as long as the Lucas three position switch is still functional. Very Happy

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:42 pm

Just for fun I checked my two old Bell Stars that have been sitting on the shelf for a long time and the resiliant foam padding has literally turned to dust, while the shells are in perfect shape. If either one had to actually perform its intended duty, I wouldn't want to be the guy who's head was inside it. If it feels loose, get a new one.

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:20 am

helmets are designed to give high performance while being beat on with wind, bugs, pebbles and then your sweat. The liner of the helmet can only take so much. If you can get a helmet that you can get new liners you could probably drag the life of your brain bucket a bit farther then 4 or 5 years.