Arai Chaser

Originally Posted by gsak

I may be wrong but i think it has something to do with sweat/toxins etc reacting with the polystyrene liner inside the lid.As such it is five years from when the helmet is first used.

Correct.

Arai recommend you replace at the 5 year mark, and the ACU and FIM will not allow you to race with a helmet that is over 5 years old. Just about every helmet made today has the date of manufacture on a label or embossed into something on the lid. On an Arai it's on the chinstrap coverings.

Even with modern materials 5 years is about the safe lifespan of a helmet, besides, after 5 years of continuous use on my noggin they are ready for the bin anyway.

[rictus01]

I seriously doubt that's the reason, are you trying to say you wear a helmet once and it starts a "clock" that means your helmets insides dissolve in a set time ?

I'm aware of the compression factor through use, but that has nothing to do with age, I think to many have been reading the weekly comic again......

[rictus01]

I have a 3 year old, brand new boxed condor upstairs are you seriously saying I should throw it away in two years reguardless of use ? like wise my motocross lid has had very little use and will no doubt last far longer than my day to day lids.

generally my helmets last me 3-4 years, but then I use it almost everyday, and it spends a lot of time on my head, not on a shelf, if I was a 3-4k a year rider I'd be a bit ****ed at only 15k out of it, having done that mileage in about 4 months last year, so should it be changed at 4 months then ?

Exposure to UV light, sweat, dirt, cold, heat and all manner of things affect a helmet shell and inner liner and contribute to their lifespan. I'd be happy wearing a helmet that's been stored in a cool dark place for three years, and then using it for a full 5 year term.

With regard to a helmet that's used regularly, 5 years is about all they are good for, and for those people who only do 2 or 3 thousand miles a year, tough... use the bloody bike more and get some use out of it and the kit you bought. It's not a driveway ornament, it's a bloody motorbike that was built to be used.

[rictus01]

Haha... I doubt I'll fall in that category for a few years yet, but I'll be dammed if I'll bin a perfectly good and serviceable helmet, just because the date stamp says so, but then I guess most people are so used to being told what to do with out checking themselves.

Oh and I had a 5 year old Aria Maverick tested by Aria last year after it had taken a knock, it came back with a report of perfectly serviceable, I replaced it anyway, but according to them it was "to standard".

Cheers Mark.

Mark - you get your money's worth out of every bike and every bit of kit you've bought - that's to be applauded.

I must admit that my Corsair is ready for the bin just from wear and tear , in 4 years I have worn out the bit at the back of the neck , The paint has been hammered to death , the visor has seen better days but in reality it does at least 800 miles a month just going to work and back . It`s been on many rideouts and shopping trips , used practically every day of the year so I have got my moneys worth out of it and would no begrudge buying another .