lets talk helmets was told something today from a dealer

Hello I went to a local dealer today to get a new face shield for my aging shoei helmet. THe guy told me that helmets loose thier safety ratings after 5 years and should be replaced? Is this a meterial breakdown? or is it just the fact that the DOT and snell update thier ratings every 5 years? Either way the shields are 40 bucks and he had some in stock and a new helmet of the same style is $300++. I was just wondering how much smoke he was trying to blow up my whohaa here.

 

Ya - the foam is supposed to break down.

I replace mine every few years... keep the old one for passengers and biff the oldest ones. I'm currently using the ECE-252? spec helmets - meets the MotoGP requirements. Try on the shark line - good value for the money.

 

I don't know that the helmet degrades enough to require replacement from just age. The snell cert does get upgraded every five years. This year is the first year we will be required to use snell 05 for our drag racing classes. Up to last year we were allowed the snell 00 cert stamp.

Sean

 

The age of the helmet increasing=level of protection decreasing
Helmets are subject to shock, vibration, sweat, other moistures, sunlight, and the simple fact that the "foam" degrades over time.
It is suggested that these devices be replaced after 3-5 years of use.

OTOH, ANY helmet is better than NO helmet

 

I agree with all that the above.

I tend to buy the best fitting, safest, and lightest helmet that I can afford. Currently that is an Arai quantum. I replace mine every 5 years as well. I have seen too many acquired brain injuries to roll the dice on safety eqt.

 

First time through, I read that as "an Aquarium"


:lol:
:lol:
:lol:

 

I have a big (not FAT!!!) head and I get hot when I wear a helmet.

Anyone have any suggestion as to the helmet that would be the coolest one to wear. I do like to wear a helmet so that I can keep what little brains I have left inside the skull.

I currently have an XXL Scorpion helmet that isn't too bad.

Thanks, Dan

 

this one has been on the shelf for 4 yrs inside, I had it for 1 1/2 yrs in use when I had my last bike then I was bikeless for awhile. Dang it i guess i should have put the shield money into a new helmet then it has never taken any hard knocks tho. Also 230 was about the lowest priced one they had and i don't have the xtra$$ in the budget. At least I can see well now with the new shield.

 

I fail at this!
When the little bastard squirrel ran in front of me and took-out my front wheel ... I low-sided the bike in a turn and was tumbling down the road listening to by bike scrape along the blacktop.

My helmet took some serious major hits (saving my life) and got road rashed pretty darn bad.
I loved that helmet for saving my fat butt, so I had it refinished!

I fiberglassed the road rash.
Filled-in the scratches.
Sanded it all down, primed it and painted it!

The shell wasn't cracked or I would have "Eighty-sixed" it right away!
But since the outer shell wasn't cracked and just scratched-up bad ... I decided to hang-on to that old Shoei and giver her a second chance.

I did write a nice letter to Shoei; thanking them for making such a nice product and living-up to all the hype about it being the number one preferred helmet of the racing community.

But, I'm wearing a helmet that bounced off the road a few times with my noggin inside it.
Painted bright red.
Reflective stickers and tape renewed for safety.
Refinished in 57 Chevy Bel-Aire Red.

Let the ragging begin!
I should go and get a new helmet ... huh?

 

Good lord Rick! You hillbilly, get a new lid!

 

Hillbilly?

I love this helmet!
It love me too!

I have one on my wish list for my Birthday. June 26th.
New helment to replace the one that saved me.

I can't believe I'm going to be 60!

 

marketing hype
why 5 years ? is a helmet from Florida in the same condition as one from Canada after 5 years?
what if you buy one in the fourth year of the five year certification cycle ?
if they were so unsafe why would they still sell shields for them?
sales people work on commission...40$ or 300$ do the math
does your helmet have a born on date.....my beer does
buy a new one when yours stinks

 

Uhmmm, Rick, are you serious?
The look of the fiberglass on the outside doesnt' mean a thing. While I don't quite buy that "drop an (empty) helmet 3ft, replace it," having one beat on the ground a couple of times with your head in it is a different issue altogether. The foam is good for one hit, and one hit only in any given location. After that it's ability to protect your head is gone. Where you can't see, the foam is crush flat, collapsed, unable to absorb further energy. You are an organ donor waiting to happen.

I recommend everyone read this very interesting article:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html

Mike
'82 XJ650J, 9K miles

 

LMAO That kills me!!

 

It's not hype.

The materials in the liner break down over time and the helmet should be replaced every 3-5 years.

If you buy a helmet in the 4th year of a certification cycle, it's still good for 5 years. it is just rated at the old standards.

I've got a 25 year-old Shoei helmet that never saw any abuse. I haven't worn it in 20 years, it's just for show now. It's is a great example of how the liner breaks down over time. While the helmet was never in a wreck or dropped, I can easily push my finger into the liner all the way to the fiberglass shell. In it's day that was a top-notch helmet, but it's completely unsafe now.

If you want a great deal on new helmets, check out the Closeout section on www.newenough.com

 

I'm of the opinion that anything is better then nothing.
Where what you can afford.

 

That ought to wake you up... especially the description of what happens to your brain at impact! Ouch. Rick, you just might want that new helmet.

 

When I raced 250 Superkarts we weren't allowed to use a helmet over 5 years old, despite the fact our race helmet would get a lot less use than one used for road riding

 

I've peeled people off the pavement that were riding with 15yr+ helmets that they bought at a yard sale for 50 cents. One died because the thing just disintigrated upon impact. Yes materials have changed in the last 20 years but the manufacturer will be the best source for life-span expectency information. Snell rating is a good guideline (one I follow myself) but ultimately, anything is better than nothing at all.
Rick, don't be a skinflint! Get a new helmet!

 

Consider it PREVENATIVE MAINENCE

Tires-They still work but "What if?"
XJ Fuse Boxes-Need I say more?
Sparkplugs-Have not given up the ghost, but will replace and keep 2 of the best looking ones for back up.
Oil-I could probably get another 100 miles....
Fork Seals-NOBODY likes changing these, but they need to be done for safety reasons.

Helmets protect the investment of your Life

Most of us do these items^ too. You CAN get away with not doing these tasks, but at what cost???
By NOT doing, you are jepordizing your investment.

Same goes for protective gear. ALL Motorcycle Safety Course Instructors, Manufacturers, Manufactures Test Labs, INDIVDUAL TEST LABS, and Crash Staistical Data all point to certain facts.
One important fact; as helmets age the protective ability begins to decrease.
I dont know about anyone else, but I want the highest quality of protection on my head. And it is irresponsible to suggest to anyone that this is not important. (What you do in your own life is your business, I have ridden before with No Helmet, a crappy fitting lid, and a previously banged up topper)

Helmet replacent is strongly suggested, but in no way required.
WHEN you crash, I PRAY that you are wearing the best gear to save your life.
Atleast you will have a fighting chance to see you husband, wife, parents, or children again.

Polystyrene is pretty common as the "foam" used in helmets. Exposure to air, sun, temp beging the degradation process.
Do your own tests:
Put a piece of polystyrene in controled elements and watch what happens.
You guessed it; it begins to become more fragile after about a year or so.

EDIT- the Dow trademarked name "Styrofoam" for their polystyrene. Not exactly the same thing but I know what happens to styrofoam over time. It rots

 

FYI: Shoei *warranties* their helmets for 5 years from purchase or 7 years from date of mfg, whichever comes first. That tells you that 7 years from date of mfg, they know that the interior will not yet have decayed in any significant way. I would expect that it is still good at least a year or two out from that date.

Michael

 

wiki says
dont feed it to birds or fish
"Expanded polystyrene foam takes 900 years to decompose in the environment and has been documented to cause starvation in birds and other marine wildlife"

it should have a born on date !
i doubt it will be cheaper
msf says
"Most helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every two to four years. If you notice any signs of damage before then, replace it sooner.

Why replace a helmet every few years if it doesn't appear damaged? Its protective qualities may deteriorate with time and wear. The chin strap may fray or loosen at its attaching points. Or the shell could be chipped or banged. Probably the best reason, however, is that helmets keep improving. Chances are that the helmet you buy in a couple of years will be better, stronger, lighter, and more comfortable than the one you own now. It might even cost less!

Can't remember when you bought your present helmet? Check the chin strap or permanent labeling. Since 1974, all helmets must have the month and date of production stamped on it. If there's no date at all, you should definitely replace your helmet now!"

if you've had the same helmet since '74 , keep it, it's lucky

 

Duct tape would have been easier and cheaper! :lol:

 

The reason to replace a helmet every few years, even if it doesn't look damaged is that you cannot possibly see, the degradation of the EPS (expanded polystyrene) with your eyes. It's just not possible. The plastic actually breaks down on contact with air and light. And it's the foam inside that's most important, not really the shell.

So yeah, that's why I like the MSF recommendation.

Each person can do what he wants with his own head--but I think it's silly to spend $1000s on chrome and skimp on something that has been shown to turn possible fatal accidents into bumps and bruises.

And you should definitely never feed helmets to birds or fish .

 

Rick, Rick, Rick... :roll:
As a favor to all of us on this board, go and get yourself a new brain bucket, like, TODAY!
What are we going to do for quality wrenching advice when your 60 years of accumulated knowledge is splattered all over Treble Cove Road?

 

I like a Nolan N-102.
You can hook up a bluetooth device and the face opens up to a 3/4 helmet.
I had to work on a crash victm a month ago and he had one of those Nolan helmets, normally removing a helmet can cause as much c-spine damage as the accident itself.
But this helmet came off so easly....That's it! I'm going to get me one!

 

I love the modulars, even though Snell hasn't gotten around to certifying any. I wear glasses and they make getting my helmet on and off much easier. Likewise, I like having a helmet shaped so that it can't physically come off without it physically separating. I want the face coverage, but the full face helmets are a royal PITA to get on and off of my head. Inevitably, it feels like my ears are being ripped off of my head.

Michael

 

tumbleweed_biff......X2
I have a HJC Symax Modular.
We are hitting mid 90's already, with 100's maybe this weekend.
I really like my helmets vents

EDIT Polystyrene may take 900 years to decompose, but that at that point it is complete dust. Nothing, nada, zilch.

 

Way down in that article on helmets they had been putting through the soft impact and hard impact tests, they mention how well the liners (the part that protects your head) held up. Here is what they say...

"So we decided to kill them. We ran the Z1Rs up the test rig one last time. Not just to the 10-foot, 150-joule Snell test height, but all the way to the top of the rig: 3.9 meters, or 13 feet. This hit would be at 8.5 meters per second, an energy of 185 joules. That's higher and harder than any existing helmet standard impact. And, not coincidentally, the same height and energy called out in the COST 327 proposed standard, the one that may replace the current ECE 22-05 specification. We did one hit on the pavement and one on the curb anvil—the same hits called out in the COST proposal. We did them on the back of the helmets, in the center, because that was the only place we hadn't hit them before.

So this last test is not directly comparable to the others. But it showed, in no uncertain terms, just how tough—and how protective—an inexpensive helmet can be.

The peak Gs for the monster hits were 208 for the curb impact and 209 for the flat-pavement impact. Just a few Gs more, that is, than many of the Snell-rated helmets transmitted in their seven-foot hits on the flat anvil. And even after these mega hits, the EPS liners were still nowhere near used up."

With that type of pretty complete testing saying that the EPS liner still wasn't failing, Rick might not be in as much trouble with his favorite lid. They really seemed to be encouraging us to trust that our full face helmets will protect us. What that equates to long term wear with a bang or two here and there I would say is fine. But if your beer, or helmet stink and you can afford something better (Rick we'd all pitch in if that is the issue) get the unstinkufied one. That said, it's always better than nothing.

 

The problem, Timetonut, is that in their tests, they could specifically attack a part of the liner which had not been previously hit. Yes, there are parts of Rick's helmet that still have usable protection, but the areas the previously absorbed the energy of his head will not longer absorb any energy. While the likelihood of hitting your head in the same place twice in the same fall is quite small, the likelihood of hitting it in the same place on a second fall is exactly the same as it was for the first fall. Is that a bet you are willing to make with *your* gray matter?

I am not.

Also, while the Z1R's performed spectacularly in the test results, their performance in regards to quality of construction and rider comfort and fit is of rather poor repute. Superb energy absorption means nothing if people won't wear the helmet because it's so danged uncomfortable and feels so outrightly cheap.

Michael

 

[quote="Timetonut(Rick we'd all pitch in if that is the issue) get the unstinkufied one. That said, it's always better than nothing.[/quote]

I'm in.

 

I agree with most everybody, I have been told the same. I have also been told that even if you drop your helmet if you are walking with it, it should be replaced as the foam "spidercracks" if you will, which is how I've been told that they work to disperse the impact. I'm actually running up to that as well, I think my helmet might already be OVER 5 years old! Time to go shopping and I'm glad I saw this forum to remind me!

 

After years and years of having "Only buy a Snell rated helmet" being drilled into my head, I finally did some research and after reading the Motorcyclist article and some other sources, finally agree that as long as the helmet still has the ECE rating, it could be safer than a Snell rated helmet for a rider. I will still get a Snell SA rated helmet for when I autocross and roadrace my MINI.

Rick, I can understand your fondness for a helmet that saved your life, I had a Shoei that saved my life once. The shell remained intact, but when the ER doctor (who is a rider also) looked at it he said it had done it's job and it was time to retire the helmet. It is simply not safe to continue using a helmet that has substained multiple impacts and surface abraisions, even if you have since refinished the helmet. Helmets should be considered a consumable safety item just like tires, brake pads and rotors. Keep it as a trophy up on the shelf and get new one to be safe. The Nolan N-102 modular is looking pretty interesting to me. I just wonder how well the chin bar will protect you in a face plant.

 

Hey, I'll throw in a few bucks... he did say his birthday was soon.