How old is your helmet?

[ZER0]

How-do people.

I've just bought a new helmet. A very lovely AGV K3 sv. Fits lovely, and looks mean in black!

I've only had my bike since January. But bought my cheap Nitro helmet 5 years ago when I did my test. It's kept clean, in its bag and in the box when not in use.

Just got me thinking if everyone replaces their helmet each 3 to 5 years as the dealers recommend or not?

I've always wondered how long the helmets sit in their boxes in warehouses & store rooms before being sold.

What say you?

[maviczap]

If its a cheapo helmet, then it won't last long anyway.

Depends how often you wear your helmet?

'Dealer recommend' is questionable!

[Kenzie]

My Caberg is about three years old now. Not planning on changing it any time soon.

[Foot]

The actual age of the helmet isn't important, it's how much you've used it. They can be stored on a shelf for years, then after someone actually uses them for say 5 years it ought to be replaced. This is because when your head sweats it ruins the lining and the fit is no longer snug, so if you came off your helmet would hit the floor, then your head would hit the helmet.

I guess that's pretty extreme case, but I think that's the idea (o:

So if you clean the lining kinda regularly it could probably last longer. Trouble is, there's no way of really knowing whether the helmet is still in good condition, not until you hit the road!

[Littlepeahead]

My Shoei is worn only at weekends, it's kept in a dark cupboard out of UV light, but after 4 years the cheek pads have compressed. I'm loathe to replace the whole helmet so I reckon a new set of pads will give me another year at least.

The head sweat thing is an interesting point though. I tuck my gloves inside my helmet but when I carry it but an (un-named) orger mentioned the other week that he wouldn't do this as his gloves were probably dirty. I pointed out that I regularly wash my helmet lining so think that is OK.

He then said he's never washed the lining of his lid even though he's worn it daily for 5 years - yeuch!!! He actually said he didn't realise you could clean the inside. Then again he also said he didn't know sleeping bags were washable either and I know he's had his one several years :shock:

[Bibio]

how long does polystyrene last before it starts to disintegrate? this is the main material in your helmet that saves your brain from getting scrambled due to it acting as a cushion during an impact, the outer is for abrasion and impact while the polystyrene lining is the actual thing that saves your brain. the polystyrene has a shelf life and while the outside of the helmet looks as good as new the polystyrene could be on it's way out. the more you wear the helmet the more sweat and oils seep into the polystyrene shortening its shelf life.

[NTECUK]

Some people who do the Snell test recon,
. "Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five-year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy."
But what do Snell know hey.
Because I get oily crap in my hair my work lid only gets a year of use. I was it once a fortnight. So it's not ideal.
On the other hand my Aria is now comming up to 5 years old.
But is used so lighty I'm inclined to keep it going

[Heorot]

I bought a new helmet in May after dropping the old one. The old one was a £50 Duchinni that I bought to learn to ride on. I commuted daily until I blew up the engine (Honda CG125). After passing my test, I bought the SV and continued to commute. All in All, I wore it constantly for four years.

After reading Bibio's comment on the polystyrene, I checked the Duchinni. The polystyrene has not degraded at all It is still in perfect condition. I once had an old sofa that had to be 20 years old and which was made with moulded polystyrene on the back and arms. When I finally threw it out, again, the polystyrene was in perfect condition

[Stuart42]

MCUI,Irish ACU,will only let you use a helmet up to 5 years from date of manufacture,whereas ACU allow 7.
I appreciate that racing is different to road riding but if they go by date of manufacture,then that is what I would go by.
Also at bike shows helmets that are coming to end of shelf life,5 years from manufacture,are sold of cheap.
Cheers Stuart

[maviczap]

. I commuted daily until I blew up the engine (Honda CG125).

How did you manage that!

Starve it of oil?

[ZER0]

I do think the polystyrene is the key. I took my old helmet in to my local dealer to have a look at.
The polystyrene looked fine, but he advised to do a 'press test'.

Press your nail into a section, if it pretty much bounces back it's ok. If it leaves a dent or compresses, then the polystyrene is going brittle and looses its protective properties.

He did say mine was probably fine till the end of this year. But as I was buying a leather jacket too, I got better discount buying both together.

[Foot]

How often do you guys clean the lining of your helmet?

[Bibio]

How often do you guys clean the lining of your helmet?
when it starts to get to cheesy :D

[ManMango]

Whenever I lend it to a lady friend who I am giving a lift somewhere ;)

It will also depend on what kind of lining you have a lot of decent helmets will have their own anti bacterial technologies but still a couple of times a year isn't a bad place to start if you use it 5 days a week or so. Personally I shave my head so I don't have all that dirtay sweaty hair stuffs messing up my lovely clean lining.

[Teejayexc]

As old as my tongue but not quite as old as my teeth ;)

[Nutsinatin]

My x-lite lasted about two and a bit years being used at least two hours a day six days a week and 30,000 miles, the liner gave out and I felt like a change especially with all the dings it picked up over time. The liner gets cleaned as and when it start to smell, and my head starts coming out dirty or when it's too compacted and needs to be fluffed back up again.

[Heorot]

How did you manage that!

Starve it of oil?

No, I was running it on Tesco 98 octane and running it at full chat most of the time. Ripped the gudgeon pin out of the bottom of the piston.

[sniff]

I replace mine every two - two and half years. Don't care if it needs replacing or not. Just my preference

[Skip]

My Arai was bought in 2007 and has a manufacture date of 2003 in it - its had plenty of use (although not daily) probably should buy a new one... :viking:

No, I was running it on Tesco 98 octane and running it at full chat most of the time. Ripped the gudgeon pin out of the bottom of the piston.

I have a GS125 that I treat fairly hard - I do wonder how long it will last doing 55-60mph everywhere - how many miles did you do before it went pop?

[Fruity-ya-ya]

I replace mine every two - two and half years. Don't care if it needs replacing or not. Just my preference
Same here but I have more than one on the go.
A couple of flip fronts for the daily commute and a full face for the odd bimble.

The daily lids get replaced regularly but the full face last longer.

[Heorot]

My Arai was bought in 2007 and has a manufacture date of 2003 in it - its had plenty of use (although not daily) probably should buy a new one... :viking:



I have a GS125 that I treat fairly hard - I do wonder how long it will last doing 55-60mph everywhere - how many miles did you do before it went pop?

The last fuel fill before it went pop was at 37,996 miles, so say 40,000 approx.

[goodgumbo]

I just bought a Scorpion Exo 300. So my helmet is 1 day old and very happy with the youngling.