Helmet Replacment after 5 years...WHY?

[Transient]

That's crazy. I've seen year old Arais sold, but nothing like that!

[Wuwei]

Doesn't really mean much, but I've got a couple of helmets around that are in the 30-40 year old range (don't use them!) and the foam that is against the shell of the helmet looks and feels fine, though some of the plastic bits of the liners have disintegrated. One old Bell was lined with leather and looks to be wearable last I looked. Also probably doesn't mean squat, but I have cut into old insulated ice boxes on boats and the inside of the foam appears fine and structurally sound, even if the exterior surface is extremely grungy and dinged up. As some have suggested, I don't think the 5-year rule is based on much science. There may be some chance of degradation of certain parts of a helmet, especially if used heavily. For example, how many small drops will a helmet experience in 5 years? However, I am strongly suspicious that the main science on this comes from the sales and marketing departments.

[vicmitch]

"The Snell Memorial Foundation has tested motorcycle helmets held in storage for more than 20 years and found that they still meet the original standard. EPS is a long-lived material little affected by normal environmental factors. Unless you mistreat it we would not expect it to "dry out" enough to alter its performance for many years."

I came upon this thread through Google because I found a helmet importer selling some New Old Stock and wanted some info. They are clearing out their warehouse of some European helmets that are no longer imported to the US. These helmets are 10 or so years old and were $300 when new. They are selling them for #35 with free shipping.

Also, some say never to buy used, but there are always extenuating circumstances that make it a good choice. How many guys bought their wives full gear only to have them refuse to get on a bike after their MSF course. Ho wmany geezers thought they could relive their youth only that what was fun then might not be fun now. Their are also those like me who buy online and then find the thing is too big, to round or whatever after wearing it for a couple of days.
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=852207
Mitch

[Tazzio]

Here in Colorado we don't have a helmet law, so I usually don't wear a helmet, however I have an HJC modular helmet I purchased in 2001, and only used it on long road trips that involved going to states with helmet laws. I also would wear it in cold weather just for the warmth, or if I was going to be on a day trip just to keep the sun off my head (tried every skull cap beanie etc. nothing stay's on my head). Just a conservative guess I might have had 20 thousand miles over a 12 yr span of wearing the helmet. This last summer I started wearing it on a daily basis for reasons unknown even to myself. I did manage to crash, and was very thankful to have had it on. It did it's job it's junk now, but I think that helmet would have given me at least 2 more years of use.

[moggi1964]

Originally Posted by Tazzio

Here in Colorado we don't have a helmet law, so I usually don't wear a helmet, however I have an HJC modular helmet I purchased in 2001, and only used it on long road trips that involved going to states with helmet laws. I also would wear it in cold weather just for the warmth, or if I was going to be on a day trip just to keep the sun off my head (tried every skull cap beanie etc. nothing stay's on my head). Just a conservative guess I might have had 20 thousand miles over a 12 yr span of wearing the helmet. This last summer I started wearing it on a daily basis for reasons unknown even to myself. I did manage to crash, and was very thankful to have had it on. It did it's job it's junk now, but I think that helmet would have given me at least 2 more years of use.

Glad it did its job.

Can I ask, did you replace it and did you go back to wearing one again on a daily basis?

I do think knowing the history of the helmet means you can be more secure in the knowledge it is likely to be in good condition and 20k isn't a lot of miles.

[acejones]

Unbelievable that someone wouldn't wear a helmet. Darwin was right

[baloneyskin daddy]

This has little to do with this thread but I find it amusing anyway. I always had trouble tossing away old helmets and eventually ended up with a pile of them and ended up taking them up to the hunting camp to give them a proper Viking funeral. I stacked about 5 of them nicely in the burn pit with plenty of kindling,gave a euology and my son lit the fire. We watched them burn to absolutely nothing . The only trace left were the D -rings the next day.Even milk jugs leave a clump of shit where they sat.

[Joe?]

This is a great thread and I applaud the OP for opening the discussion in such a way. When I switch back to coffee from whiskey I'll read the next 3 pages

Originally Posted by keiji

My suggestion to you is to stop buying expensive helmets if you feel the need to stretch out their life, and buy cheaper helmets and replace them more often as the UV inhibitors will be consumed more rapidly, especially if you ride as much as you say you do.

While I do agree that '5 years' means something different for everyone, I would also advocate spending the most on a new helmet versus a formerly nicer used helmet. My riding tends to kill helmets at the 2-3 year mark, and what I spend on new helmets is based on that.

Also, if you are asking about your helmets 'expiration' before you have fully trashed it, you aren't riding enough.

[Joe?]

Originally Posted by acejones

Unbelievable that someone wouldn't wear a helmet. Darwin was right

Darwin sailed around the world without a life jacket, let's not judge Tazzio for his head wear choice. Unless he was riding a GSX-R at the time.

[moggi1964]

Originally Posted by Joe?

Darwin sailed around the world without a life jacket, let's not judge Tazzio for his head wear choice. Unless he was riding a GSX-R at the time.

Agreed!

This isn't going to become a bashing thread that eventually gets locked down because the original OP question has been derailed.

Can't believe Darwin left without his lifejacket, should have had a checklist if you ask me

[AdrianB1]

I cannot imagine someone using a helmet on a daily basis for 5 years - all my helmets after ~ 3 years of daily use were lose, the liner was worn out and starting to break, the EPS was compacting and it was a bit lose for someone with one size larger. So I bought a new helmet every time I was no longer satisfied by the old one and that was in less than 5 years. If you keep the helmet in storage you can probably use it even after 10-15 years if you don't mind the style

[acejones]

Originally Posted by Joe?

Darwin sailed around the world without a life jacket, let's not judge Tazzio for his head wear choice. Unless he was riding a GSX-R at the time.

I didn't judge Tazzio or anyone else. I just commented that the choice was unbelievable. As for Darwin, I doubt life jackets were readily available; had they been I'm sure he would have worn one.
To get back on track, my Schuberth is more than five years old, but its comfortable, was serviced by Schuberth a year ago, so I'm still wearing it

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by Tazzio

Here in Colorado we don't have a helmet law, so I usually don't wear a helmet, however I have an HJC modular helmet I purchased in 2001, and only used it on long road trips that involved going to states with helmet laws. I also would wear it in cold weather just for the warmth, or if I was going to be on a day trip just to keep the sun off my head (tried every skull cap beanie etc. nothing stay's on my head). Just a conservative guess I might have had 20 thousand miles over a 12 yr span of wearing the helmet. This last summer I started wearing it on a daily basis for reasons unknown even to myself. I did manage to crash, and was very thankful to have had it on. It did it's job it's junk now, but I think that helmet would have given me at least 2 more years of use.

You should have bought a lottery ticket, friend.

I hope now that you have dodged a bullet, you will wear a helmet more often Tazzio.

[vicmitch]

Got my new old stock $35 helmet today. Very light super comfortable. Grahics are green so I peeled them off. They have a few more so I might buy another and keep in the box as a replacement.

Mitch