New helmet needed?

[danf1234]

During my recent trip to France my Helmet took a bit of a whack on day 2.

The helmet was a £350 brand spanker this year, but did get a little scuffed and scratched on this trip.

However while I was following a farm lorry on day 2 it threw up what looked like a piece of brick at me. I ducked and thought it had missed me, but there was a almightly cracked as it glanced the side of my head.

See said damage!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u305/danf1234/DSCF0647.jpg

What do you reckon?

[Specialone]

Personally dan as I said at the time, I'd carry on using it, but it's your head.
I do think there's a bit of scaremongering created by the manufacturers to scare us into replacing them at the slightest knock.

I'd love to see a comparison destruction test with a slightly damaged one and a undamaged one, I suspect there wouldn't be any noticeable difference.

[TamSV]

I'm not a helmet construction expert but I'd keep using that. Glancing blow = no compression. Anyway, land on the side of your head hard enough to make a difference and you'll have a broken neck anyway.

Just my opinion FWIW - it's your noggin of course. The correct answer, sponsored by Shoei, is replace it. ;)

[danf1234]

Well 2 people's opinion that I value! I have to agree my heart says keep using it!

[TamSV]

People do tend to treat lids like fine china. I think alot of it's over the top but I usually keep my thoughts to myself as I know I'm pretty far from the accepted "right" answer.

My first helmet when I was a young lad was as cheap as can be. I knocked it off the topbox repeatedly; one of my mates put it on and headbutted a wall; I smacked someone up the side of the head with it; crashed in it on 4 occasions (2 low speed; 2 50+). I used it for years and only replaced it cause the lining wasn't removable and started to stink - plus there was unidentified things living in it.

My BIL is really careful with his lids - never drops them and buys a new one every year - throwing out what is IMO a perfectly decent top-of-the-range helmet. I've replaced my lid before now by rummaging through his wheelie bin :). I now have a new lid that I actually paid money for, but only because he refused to buy one with an integrated visor. :)

Just thought I'd give you some context. In light of the above, how's that whole "valuing my opinion" working out for you. :p

[danf1234]

People do tend to treat lids like fine china. I think alot of it's over the top but I usually keep my thoughts to myself as I know I'm pretty far from the accepted "right" answer.

My first helmet when I was a young lad was as cheap as can be. I knocked it off the topbox repeatedly; one of my mates put it on and headbutted a wall; I smacked someone up the side of the head with it; crashed in it on 4 occasions (2 low speed; 2 50+). I used it for years and only replaced it cause the lining wasn't removable and started to stink - plus there was unidentified things living in it.

My BIL is really careful with his lids - never drops them and buys a new one every year - throwing out what is IMO a perfectly decent top-of-the-range helmet. I've replaced my lid before now by rummaging through his wheelie bin :). I now have a new lid that I actually paid money for, but only because he refused to buy one with an integrated visor. :)

Just thought I'd give you some context. In light of the above, how's that whole "valuing my opinion" working out for you. :p

Just fine TAM looks like I might save myself another £350! How's the 2 stroke!

[TamSV]

How's the 2 stroke!

In bits!

I'm at the stage of reuniting the bits though.

[Dave20046]

Only you know how hard it hit Dan, but basically any impairment of the foam filling will make it less/ineffective at protecting your brain in a crash. But like tam says even if it has damaged that foam you'd, give or take, have to land on the same spot twice and not only statistically is that unlikely to happen there are statistics that say few bikers actually hit the side of their heads when they crash (IIRC).

Unless like me, you think sod's law will be the death of you :D

Annoyingly I don't think shoei do testing on it - but you could look into it.

[Specialone]

Never mind your lid, I'm more concerned you value my opinion, I know feck all about feck all ;)

[Sid Squid]

I'd carry on using it, but it's your head.So would I, I sincerely doubt that damage is in any way serious.
I do think there's a bit of scaremongering created by the manufacturers to scare us into replacing them at the slightest knock.
I think that's a little harsh, the maker can't possibly know the circumstances and consequences of any damage your helmet may suffer - the only way they can responsibly deal with damage is to recommend replacement. If you have an Arai they have an excellent service which will assess for damage if you're concerned.
I'd love to see a comparison destruction test with a slightly damaged one and a undamaged one, I suspect there wouldn't be any noticeable difference.Some years ago a magazine did exactly that, they dropped various lids to damage them and then tested them against undamaged ones, with apparently little effect.
That's not the end of it though, their last word was to say that a little damage is very probably fine - but how do you estimate the extent of the damage?

[danf1234]

Never mind your lid, I'm more concerned you value my opinion, I know feck all about feck all ;)


This is true lol!