Helmet life?

[Biker Biggles]

I wouldnt use that lid either.Pretty unanimous eh?
Having said that I do think we can be a bit retentive about five year lifespans and the like.Manufacturers need to err heavily on the side of caution for legal reasons here,and also have a huge vested interest in getting us to buy new lids.Common sense tells me that if Arai say their lids are safe for five years,that means they must be good for five years constant use in polluted and very sunny places like Los Angeles.Much less rigorous use would give a much longer lifespan IMO.

[ogden]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Arai say 5 years max for one of their helmets, and that's for the latest ones that are made using better materials and construction methods than older types.

The thick end of 15 years ago, when I last paid much attention to helmet materials, the rule of thumb was that polycarb lids were good for two years and composite (eg. fibreglass) for 5.

The longevity resulting from better materials and construction methods can't have improved much if the numbers are basically the same, can it?

Originally Posted by ogden

The thick end of 15 years ago, when I last paid much attention to helmet materials, the rule of thumb was that polycarb lids were good for two years and composite (eg. fibreglass) for 5.

The longevity resulting from better materials and construction methods can't have improved much if the numbers are basically the same, can it?

Probably not, but litigation is a bit more advanced.

Being serious now, Arai guarantee their lids for 5 years now, but wouldn't back then.

[Biker Biggles]

Didnt one of the bike mags do some destruct tests on new and old lids?And on cheap and expensive ones,and ones that had been dropped?There were some surprising results IIRC.
I think the main issue with older lids is likely to be worn out linings and padding making them a poor fit.And we all know that the first rule of lid wearing is that it must fit properly.

Originally Posted by ogden

From the OP's other thread: "It's one I got for my g/f so she can go pillion."

So, basically, it was only meant to protect a woman's head, so not worth the price of a new one.

FFS , Can't anyone ask a question on here without this kind of response?

I have not, and would not let my girlfriend use this helmet. I saw it on ebay as was looking for a local one that I could collect. I spoke to the guy who was listing it as he said it was new condition and had only been used once by his wife to go pillion and that it had never been dropped. He seemed very genuine and said he would never list a helmet if he thought it could have been damaged.

My girlfriend hasn't gone pillion yet and may not like it so I didn't want to buy a £200 helmet that would sit in the cupboard after being used once. I was planning to send it off to be safety checked by Arai before it would ever get used by her but now i've realised how old it is i'm not going to let her use it at all.

Thanks to those who answered with helpful information.

What model of Arai is it? There should be stickers on the outer shell and a sewn in one that say.

Also, how much was it?

It's a Rapido 3 and I paid £40 for it.. Have emailed the seller requesting a refund as the helmet is only fit for the bin now. It's a shame as it fitted her well.

The Rapide range went out of production at least 6 or 7 years ago, they were replaced by the RV, which has also been and gone to be replaced by the Condor about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago. It's always worth doing your homework on things like this.

You should have guessed from the price that it wasn't that desireable. When something looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

The Rapide range went out of production at least 6 or 7 years ago, they were replaced by the RV, which has also been and gone to be replaced by the Condor about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago. It's always worth doing your homework on things like this.

You should have guessed from the price that it wasn't that desireable. When something looks too good to be true, it usually is.

I guess I just believed what was written in the listing, figured it was cheap because there isn't a huge market for 2nd hand helmets. The important thing is that I realised it's unsafe before using it..

Fingers burned = lesson learned

Originally Posted by nick_1871

I guess I just believed what was written in the listing, figured it was cheap because there isn't a huge market for 2nd hand helmets. The important thing is that I realised it's unsafe before using it..

Fingers burned = lesson learned

Look on the positive side, you've lost a maximum of 40 quid and learned a lesson.