Helmets

renagade · Post by **renagade** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:56 pm

Hey Guy's
I have been told that because my helmet is 5 years old that it needs replacing as they go brittle and are no good in a smash.
What do you think. How offern do you change your lids.

Paul

Trapper · Post by **Trapper** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:35 pm

Hey Up Renagade

Here's a link to a site I found through google:

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Helmets.html

In short, the official line looks like you're right - At 5 years old, a helmet has reached the end of it's useful life.

I've never heard of it before, so it was news to me.

Without knowing the exact age of your helmet- including shelf life - I'm not sure how you'd be able to tell until it was too late.

You've got me thinking.....

Cheers

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:57 pm

Most helmets will have a sticker on the inside of manufacture date, or on the chin strap. Either way, there is no official research stating that helmets need replacing every five years. I think the helmet manufacturers came up with it to keep sales moving, but it can't hurt to have a new helmet. I'm sure they break down a little over all of the small bumps/drops they are exposed to.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:49 am

While I suspect helmets can be effective beyond 5 years of age, they do improve as technology moves forward. The difference between my RF1000 and RF900 is noticeable. This makes it worthwhile IMO given that a new helmet of high quality can be had for 350 bucks.

Jonny_L · Post by **Jonny_L** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:19 am

They say 5 years for most helmets, but there's some that are made differently which are supposed to only be good for 2 years. They're usually the more expensive ones too.

I generally replace my helmets every 2 years anyway, because they start getting loose and smelly

, and as yjleesvrr says, the technology is improving all the time. That way I get a few years of pillion usage from the old one too.

johno · Post by **johno** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:11 pm

Jonny_L, I hope you dont pass your smelly underpants to your pillion!!

Out here in Aust, 2 years is a common recommended life span for a helmut, sun etc affects the material.
And as stated, the RF1000 is getting a lot of plusses at the moment.

Post by **qgaex** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:39 pm

Hi

I believe that's a material question.
There's helmets made from thermoplastic material.
They last a few years and then go brittle. Sun will make it worse.
And then there's helmets made from thermosetting plastics like e.g. fiberglass reinforced polyester. Those will last "forever" as long as you don't hit them too hard. The limiting factor here is the inner shell going soft and again brittle. Very good manufacturers (e.g. Schuberth) accept their helmets back for relining with a new interior shell.
But watch out. Any real hard hit, like a bad drop or a small accident, does compromise a helmet's integrity. Do throw it away!

Cheers

qgaex
*hardheaded*