Old Arai lid - safe to use?
 

My dad's mate has been doing a bit of a clearout, and is getting rid of stuff he doesn't need, including a lot of bike gear, as he no longer rides. This stuff is getting given to me and my dad for free.

One thing that has been discovered is a 10-year-old Arai (unaware of the specific model) that's still in the box, totally un-used, the protective film still on the visor. I've heard before that you should replace a lid every 5 years, and that they have shelf lives, but if this thing has lived in a box for ten years should it be fine to ride with?

I ask because it's in my size and it's free, so is it worth having or fit only for the skip?

Re: Old Arai lids
 

Id use it.Firstly I think the five year rule applies to helmets in actual use,exposed to sunlight and road filth etc.I also think a lot of it is bull from the industry to make sure you keep buying new lids.

Re: Old Arai lids
 

Yeah, I'd use it too.

Re: Old Arai lids
 

the "shelf life" thing dates back to the old polycarb helmets, and various reactions to paint and sunlight, todays lids are of different construction, check all the fittings are in good order and it fits you, it should be fine.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Old Arai lids
 

dont use it,give it to me to dispose of for you;)

Re: Old Arai lids
 

isnt it more important that it fits you properly

Re: Old Arai lids
 

Well that's a matter we can come to when it gets to me, this was more a question of if it's even worth bringing home, which the consensus seems to be 'yes'.

Just been chatting to my dad and it might not be as old as believed, by his description it's a Quantum F, with two front vents and one large exhaust vent. Score.

Cheers all!

Re: Old Arai lids
 

An original Arai Quantum, the most comfortable lid i ever owned....

Did well banging off the tarmac several times while decelerating from 50 and bouncing down the road (with me in it obviously)

Re: Old Arai lids
 

arent the budget shoei and arai the same design going back 20 years or so.

Im sure i can remember my dads helmets in the 80s looking very similar.

Although in those days they were probably made of wood and horse hair :-)

Re: Old Arai lids
 

Horse hair? You were lucky! We got to wear half a crisp packet, and that's if we were good.






Please tell me someone gets this Monty Python reference...