How long should an Arai last?

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Has this lore that lids deteriorate in four years ever been tested independantly?It's clearly in the interests of the trade to get us to replace lids every four years so they can sell more,so being a cynical type I reach for the pinch of salt.On quality kit you can replace linings and cheek pads to maintain a proper fit,and as long as the strap is not worn I reckon an older lid is perfectly OK.Having said that I bought a new XSpirit last year,but still keep my old Shoei for a spare.

I did say its only a rule of thumb... but it stands to reason... after all look what riding has done to your metal fork tubes... Also ever leave a plastic bag in the sun? Even better you rub your new helmet with oil, grease (inside and out), heavy metals from pollution and rain, bake it in some hot sun, throw a few pounds of grit, bugs, pigeon, and then give it a few kicks to simulate the occasion knock and drop, then tell me your happy wearin it... Its your choice but personally I'll replace mine minimum every 4 years, its my head after all...

[Biker Biggles]

I'm sure that's right if you were looking at constant use and exposure all day every day,but most lids don't get that,and mine lives in a bag at home when not in use.I reckon to get four years worth of sunlight could take ten years of normal use.What I'd like to see was Ride or someone testing lids for deterioration to give us an unbiassed guideline we could trust.Having said that I usually manage to damage my lid long before ten years.

[jambo]

As I understand it it's mainly the UV from the sun that breaks down the Lid's protective properties, you can get new full linings or cheek pads for some lids and not others, but it might be worth dropping an email to Arai themselves as I seem to remember they have a 5 year idea of how long a lid should last....

Even if a lids not been on the road in a year can you be sure all the chemicals that have worked its way into it are still not causing trouble...???

Arai have a 5 yaer limited warrenty, best thing you can do is get your local hein gericke to get it sent off to arai 9f.o.c) who will check it out/.tidy it up and will test it and let you know if its safe to use still.

my Arai signet e is 7 years old now and has over 100,000 miles of riding, I don't worry about it's protection, but I am thinking of replacing it just cause it's getting hard to get the stink out

Assuming the aforementioned lids are fibreglass, why don't fibreglass car bodies which are exposed to UV 24-7 all year round disintegrate then? I think the manufacturers recommendations are there to make them profits. The only thing wrong with my 1980 Griffin Clubman when I retrieved it from the loft was that the 3mm sponge backing of the lining had crumbled. I sold it to HiStar Classics.

Originally Posted by Toypop

Jesus I aint replacing my X-Spirit after 3 years! Not at that price!

I'm not a helmet snob and so buy a new £100 - £120 lid every year or so.

I figure that a year-old £100 Shark will offer better protection than a 4 or 5 year old £4-500 lid regardless of make.

They all passed the same tests when new, and new is always a more comfortable and pleasant place to stick one's napper

Originally Posted by oldjack

Assuming the aforementioned lids are fibreglass, why don't fibreglass car bodies which are exposed to UV 24-7 all year round disintegrate then? I think the manufacturers recommendations are there to make them profits. The only thing wrong with my 1980 Griffin Clubman when I retrieved it from the loft was that the 3mm sponge backing of the lining had crumbled. I sold it to HiStar Classics.

cause there is a uv protective coating over the fibreglas

Originally Posted by RandyO

cause there is a uv protective coating over the fibreglas

I've seen plain fibreglass left out in the sun and it goes all brittle...