View Full Version : Helmet life?
I've had my helmet since the previous one was prematurely retired, thanks to a taxi driver, just over four years ago. It looks in good condition and is solid and working perfectly well (inner visor, strap etc) but the edge of the padding around the opening has started to crack, and it's over four years old. I use it all year round.
How old is too old?
Thanks
Depends on what the shell construction is and how much uv light it has been exposed to. If it is plastic shell, and you use it everyday, it is probably past it's best, but if it is a composite structure it's probably about time you should be thinking about a new one, towards next year IMO.
DarrenSV650S
17-07-13, 09:28 PM
Does it smell?
Tomor - It's an Airoh Force thermoplastic shelled helmet. I ride 200 miles a week in all weathers, but sadly not as much as that in the summer as I'm a teacher and use the bike to commute so it's indoors for most of the summer sun :(
Darren - Yes, although I was out the lining every summer so it will get done again soon.
Personally I would start looking for a new helmet. Don't rush out and buy the first one you see, but take your time to get one that fits snugly and you like the look of. The uv attacks the helmet shell and a lot of manufacturers say a plastic shell helmet has a shelf life of 3-4 years so as you are around the 4 year mark, but don't use it that much in the summer, take your time to find a nice new lid. :) this is all my opinion before anyone flames me for something they disagree with!
Cheers.
I took my time looking for this one, and the one before, so I'll do the same again. We've got an Infinity shop in Norwich who's prices seem reasonable so I'll keep an eye out for some end of season sales. Maybe head over to the BMF Tailend show?
Yeah id say get a new ones, 200 miles a week is a decent amount of sun exposure.
Dicky Ticker
18-07-13, 07:31 AM
The"Collar" foam may start to crack up but that is only cosmetic and not part of the integral structure of the helmet. Helmets manufactured to meet the current safety standards are all treated for UV and unless the actual outer paint has started to fade the internals are not exposed to the elements.
I will probably be shot down in flames but unless it has been dropped or damaged in any way and is still a good fit why change it. Most better class helmets can have the interior padding removed and cleaned or replaced
Is it a myth from the manufacturers to increase sales all this about degradation and sun light/element exposure. How can you compare the British climate to South Africa or Australia who have more extreme UV exposure.
Few people leave their helmets outside or uncovered 24/7 so over 3-4 years the time "Outside" is minimal. 5000miles a year at an average of 30mph only works out at 30days over a 4 year period.
I will stand corrected if anybody can produce facts and figures to the contrary, not just hearsay.
How long does it take for a car dashboard to degrade most of which is exposed constantly through the windshield or a bit of plastic placed in the sea or landfill and that is cheaply manufactured materials compared to a crash helmet.
new plastic lid every 2 years for me.
My Aria Rx7 is over 4 years old and has only been used a dozen times. like new don't. think age its more treatment.
Biker Biggles
18-07-13, 10:29 AM
The"Collar" foam may start to crack up but that is only cosmetic and not part of the integral structure of the helmet. Helmets manufactured to meet the current safety standards are all treated for UV and unless the actual outer paint has started to fade the internals are not exposed to the elements.
I will probably be shot down in flames but unless it has been dropped or damaged in any way and is still a good fit why change it. Most better class helmets can have the interior padding removed and cleaned or replaced
Is it a myth from the manufacturers to increase sales all this about degradation and sun light/element exposure. How can you compare the British climate to South Africa or Australia who have more extreme UV exposure.
Few people leave their helmets outside or uncovered 24/7 so over 3-4 years the time "Outside" is minimal. 5000miles a year at an average of 30mph only works out at 30days over a 4 year period.
I will stand corrected if anybody can produce facts and figures to the contrary, not just hearsay.
How long does it take for a car dashboard to degrade most of which is exposed constantly through the windshield or a bit of plastic placed in the sea or landfill and that is cheaply manufactured materials compared to a crash helmet.
Agreed.
As I dont wash my hair at work it gets oil etc in it & the main reason i guess why the EPS liner (basically Expanded Poystyrene) does deteriorate over time .Which is where more of the problem is than its shels exposure to UV and contaminants.
Fallout
18-07-13, 11:23 AM
The"Collar" foam may start to crack up but that is only cosmetic and not part of the integral structure of the helmet. Helmets manufactured to meet the current safety standards are all treated for UV and unless the actual outer paint has started to fade the internals are not exposed to the elements.
I will probably be shot down in flames but unless it has been dropped or damaged in any way and is still a good fit why change it. Most better class helmets can have the interior padding removed and cleaned or replaced
Is it a myth from the manufacturers to increase sales all this about degradation and sun light/element exposure. How can you compare the British climate to South Africa or Australia who have more extreme UV exposure.
Few people leave their helmets outside or uncovered 24/7 so over 3-4 years the time "Outside" is minimal. 5000miles a year at an average of 30mph only works out at 30days over a 4 year period.
I will stand corrected if anybody can produce facts and figures to the contrary, not just hearsay.
How long does it take for a car dashboard to degrade most of which is exposed constantly through the windshield or a bit of plastic placed in the sea or landfill and that is cheaply manufactured materials compared to a crash helmet.
Agreed too. It'll be one of those "just to be on the safe side" things. There'll be some research into it, which probably proves UV penetrates the helmet and causes a small amount of wear to the internals and shell over the years. However, I doubt very much that it's critical damage, and probably only reduces structual strength by a couple of percent.
This is all speculation of course, but basically if you have money to burn, replace it. If you don't, don't worry about it. Mine is about 3 or 4 years old and I won't replace it until I am either flush or damage it in some way.
Dicky Ticker
18-07-13, 11:34 AM
Admittedly oils may contaminate the lining but the lining is washable and between your head and the internals. Sweat is only salt water.
I remove my padded lining frequently and wash it and on my BMW[Schuberth?] to no detrimental effect, this is now nearly ten years old.
Admittedly oils may contaminate the lining but the lining is washable and between your head and the internals. Sweat is only salt water.
I remove my padded lining frequently and wash it and on my BMW[Schuberth?] to no detrimental effect, this is now nearly ten years old.
I do give it a wash once a month.
But it does go lose ,and you dont find replacment linnings for the budget lids.
Oh dont use fabric fresh . Its too strong and made my eyes water...
it's not the shell it's the styrene interior that breaks down and becomes compacted and this is why your lid becomes loose. the compacting is like accident damage. the shell of a helmet saves your head from 'rash' while the styrene interior saves it from impact due to its softer nature it acts like a cushion but unlike a cushion once crushed there is no bounce back.
Biker Biggles
18-07-13, 12:45 PM
it's not the shell it's the styrene interior that breaks down and becomes compacted and this is why your lid becomes loose. the compacting is like accident damage. the shell of a helmet saves your head from 'rash' while the styrene interior saves it from impact due to its softer nature it acts like a cushion but unlike a cushion once crushed there is no bounce back.
If its the interior layer that is subject to failure how come we are all worried about exposure to sunlight?Surely that area never gets any sun.
If its the interior layer that is subject to failure how come we are all worried about exposure to sunlight?Surely that area never gets any sun.
Because of this part
the shell of a helmet saves your head from 'rash' .
i think the exposure to sunlight came about with the old glass fibre lids as those used to haze and crack with age.
Fallout
18-07-13, 01:00 PM
I'd expect sun radiation also penetrates the shell to some extent.
Biker Biggles
18-07-13, 01:01 PM
Hmmm Im still with Dicky Ticker on this.Mostly manufacturers hype to get us to spend money on needless replacement of perfectly good kit.If you have a few hundred quid burning a hole Id suggest it were better spent on a brake overhaul and/or better tyres.
i agree that there is a looooot of hype to boost sales but there are also some truths in there. this is why i explained about the shell internals. as by and large the external shells these days are pretty much good for years and years unless they are dropped. modern styrene however is not as it's designed to be eco friendly so breaks down faster.
think about how a bean bag gets crushed down after time, the same applies to the styrene in your helmet. so while the shells stay good the internals are not and it's the internals that save your head from impact and the shell from foreign objects.
think about how a bean bag gets crushed down after time, the same applies to the styrene in your helmet. so while the shells stay good the internals are not and it's the internals that save your head from impact and the shell from foreign objects.
Its also the wobbeling about on your head thats a distraction .:mad:
Pluss if it moves its not doing its job propperly;)
Biker Biggles
18-07-13, 02:09 PM
Its also the wobbeling about on your head thats a distraction .:mad:
Pluss if it moves its not doing its job propperly;)
If it doesnt fit properly that is a good reason to replace it whatever the reason.But if you have a good quality undamaged lid that still fits I see no reason to replace it.
Its also the wobbeling about on your head thats a distraction .:mad:
well if its wobbling about on your head then its not the right thing to be wearing. simple test, fasten up your lid like you would any other day then grab the back and see if you can pull it off your head, then grab the chin guard and wobble it from side to side and if the helmet moves and your head stays still then get the burger changed pronto.
Bluepete
18-07-13, 03:42 PM
Rather than accept the well meaning opinions of the magnificent .org, why not contact the manufacturer?
http://www.airoh.com/Home
They'll know when their lids are supposed to be replaced.
GMP replace Shoei lids every two years. Then again, they do get a fair amount of wear and tear.
Pete ;)
Steve_God
18-07-13, 03:53 PM
There is some truth to the UV degradation, but only to exposed polystyrene.
The outer shell will absorb a lot of UV, and as long as it's coloured, will also scatter some of the rest. Very little will get in contact with the polystyrene.
Add to that that most of the time the helmet is kept inside, in a dark cupboard (for me anyway) then you're reducing exposure even more.
Realistically, the polystyrene is just as likely to break down due to sweat and moisture over years and years of use, than it is to UV light breaking down the very outer.
These made for some interesting reading:
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/eng99/eng99272.htm
http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/_common/pdf/rider_equipment/Catalogue_Helmets_MY_2012_EAL.pdf - On this one specifically the 'Testing Helmets To their Limit' page, and the reference to UV resistance of the Paint...
Steve_God
18-07-13, 03:55 PM
Rather than accept the well meaning opinions of the magnificent .org, why not contact the manufacturer?
http://www.airoh.com/Home
They'll know when their lids are supposed to be replaced.
You say that, but if the UV deterioration was so severe over a couple of years, don't you think they'd have produced some nice stats and graphs from scientific testing for their marketing team to make use of by now? ;)
Dicky Ticker
18-07-13, 07:53 PM
Plenty of bumf about how good and well made they all are but as you say SG not a lot about degradation over time. P as we know most police equipment gets replaced over a time scale as do many things in a working environment.
British Airways replace all the fitters tools bi-annually but I can assure you there is nothing wrong with them as 10 years later I am still using them and that was in a working environment.
I still recon that there is a lot of hype just to keep the sales figures up and they are scared to produce facts and figures for fear of loosing sales.
Yes,it is nice to have a new lid every 2-3-4 years but at the upper end of the market we are talking £500,fine if you can afford it but others like myself have to keep them a bit longer.
Thanks for all the replies.
I didn't go to the Airoh site as I was after seasoned biker opinion and experience over manufacturer (potential) sales. I can't remember what I paid for it but I think it was about £140, so not break the bank expensive, but I could do without spending if I don't have to. It's got a matte black finish so no paint to show fading and the inners still fit well on my head so I'm confident enough to carry on using it for a while longer. I'll keep a close eye on it's condition, strip it down for a thorough clean, and wear it again.
It would be interesting to see some proper research into this but I guess it would be etreemly expensive and I'm sure the helmet companies wouldn't be that interested in funding it.
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