Are helmets really that fragile?

[Kylie]

Seems to be a lot of folk say that if you drop your helmet its a gonner, checking it in on an aeroplane is a no no, etc etc.

I'd agree that if you have an off then it might be damaged, but thats because the soft stuff that crumples while it slows your head down only works once.

But if you simply drop it then that foam inside will be just fine, and the hard outer shell should be capable of a good few knocks. Needs looking after yes, but not wrapped in cotton wool whenever its off.

Or am I insane?

Dropped it from the seat of my first bike (125cc) the first time I rode it after my CBT. Worn it since, and it has accumulated a few scratches since. Gonna replace it next year (will have had it 4 years) when Shoei's new Multitec comes out (got a flip top Synchrotec 2 at the moment).

Mine has lots of small chips and scratches which I reckon are fine, just don't reuse it if its had a big drop or something.

i was always told that fiberglass shells are fine for a few knocks but the cheap plastic shells are more prone to damage from a drop.

Already been metioned on here I think but Ride mag tested an empty lid dropped from 1, 2 and 3 metres onto concrete and the difference in protection was negligable (sp).

If it fell off the seat I wouldn't worry but if your head was inside it then replace as the weight inside would compress the inner.

i used to have a cheap FM (plastic shell)helmet ages ago and i dont know why but i kept it in the wardrobe for years, about 12 months ago i decided to chuck it but before it went in the bin i try'd to destroy it man i bounced that bugger off the floor at full force loads of times and all that happend was inprints of my patio on the shell in the end i gave up and just bin'd it i couldnt break it.
that lid cost about 45quid 15years ago.

Originally Posted by Kylie

But if you simply drop it then that foam inside will be just fine, and the hard outer shell should be capable of a good few knocks. Needs looking after yes, but not wrapped in cotton wool whenever its off.

Or am I insane?

Some makes of helmet have quite a bit of flex in the outer shell. If dropped on a fairly hard surface, even from a small height an indentation can be made in the inner protective liner. Should you then be involved in an accident and the impact happens in the same spot on the helmet air can get compressed between the outer shell and the inner protective lining causing the inner lining to explode inwards towards your head.

Some helmets such as Arai stand up to more knocking around than others. This was shown in the helmet test in MCN a couple of weeks ago. Even the Shoei XR1000 doesn't measure up after 1 impact.

Look after your helmet and the one day you might need it, it will look after you.

Tim

I think its age and wear is the most important, as all the chemicals it picks up off your head and from riding about damage the compound's.

Originally Posted by Grinch

as all the chemicals it picks up off your head .

What like lice remover

it's a conspiracy of the helmet manufacturers to get you to throw away perfectly good helmets