When do you replace an old helmet?

[ddaniels]

I think ddaniels was talking about the Styrofoam not the cloth covered soft foam.

That is correct. Wasn't thinking about the liner, but I can see the point about it. I've always kept mine in the garage. Maybe I shouldn't. I did just buy a barely used Nolan N100 that was only used a couple times. I'm sure it's at least 5 years old. Doesn't seem degraded at all. Was it a waste of money?

 

[macbec29]

Funny enough I finally took a look at the stickers inside my Arai Quantum helmet (the one that started this whole thread in the first place) to see exactly when it was manufactured (dob was actually on chin strap, June 1996) and found a manufacturers recommendation printed inside that said you should not exceed 5 years use with this helmet.

So assuming that this is not just a ploy to get one to fork over the dough for a new helmet every 5 years, even Arai is telling me to replace my trusty old brain bucket. Saw a Arai RX-Q on line last nite from discount seller for $400, about $140 cheaper then anywhere else, so may go for that unless someone knows of a even cheaper online price.

 

[ptexotik]

Posplayr told me he scored a $400ish lid for $175ish on ebay.
Just have to be sure of correct size!
I'm in the same boat and will start looking sooner than later. Will let you know if I find any deals.

ps saw a great deal on some helmets (can't recall brand) at Road Rider (Monterey St) a few weeks back. fyi

 

[Guest]

Helmets

Helmets

Helmet Rules:
1. Replace your helmet every 3-5 years regardless how good it looks.
2. If you have ever dropped your helmet onto a hard surface...replace it, the helmet is only good for one impact.
3. NEVER EVER buy a used helmet. The foam only will conform to one head. A used helmet will NOT fit properly ever.
4. NEVER sell a used helmet PERIOD!
5. Do not wear a dew rag or anything on your head with a helmet on, the foam can not properly form to your head contours with either on.
6. When buying a new helmet you have to try them on to ensure a proper fit. Buying out of a catalog or off ebay will not do that! Go to a bike shop and try on helmets. One Med will not fit like the next Med and so on, you have to try them on.

Your head is priceless and can't be replaced, buy a helmet worthy of your head.

 

[ptexotik]

Helmet Rules:
5. Do not wear a dew rag or anything on your head with a helmet on, the foam can not properly form to your head contours with either on.
.

you may want to contact all those racing 'balaclava' idiots!!

 

[ddaniels]

Helmet Rules:
1. Replace your helmet every 3-5 years regardless how good it looks.
2. If you have ever dropped your helmet onto a hard surface...replace it, the helmet is only good for one impact.
3. NEVER EVER buy a used helmet. The foam only will conform to one head. A used helmet will NOT fit properly ever.
4. NEVER sell a used helmet PERIOD!
5. Do not wear a dew rag or anything on your head with a helmet on, the foam can not properly form to your head contours with either on.
6. When buying a new helmet you have to try them on to ensure a proper fit. Buying out of a catalog or off ebay will not do that! Go to a bike shop and try on helmets. One Med will not fit like the next Med and so on, you have to try them on.

Your head is priceless and can't be replaced, buy a helmet worthy of your head.

Can't say I agree with all of these statements.

 

[MisterCinders]

I thought the new helmets were good for at least 2 crashes? :twistedevil:

 

[tkent02]

Can't say I agree with all of these statements.

I can't agree completely with any of them.

 

[MisterCinders]

I can't agree completely with any of them.

Because there is a price on your head?

 

[tkent02]

Because someone made them up who know nothing about helmets.

 

[MisterCinders]

Not sure they are Gospel, but they follow the warnings in the warranty/instructions that came with my helmet. Especially the dropping, fitting etc.

Of course, those instructions may be aimed at selling more helmets, but I'd hate to be the corpse or vegetable that verified the sales pitch.

The used helmet stuff follows logically from the fitting/dropping concerns. If a drop ruins the helmet, a used helmet would have a big question mark. If age weakens foam, a used helmet probably has more age than you want. If the foam shapes to your head, again the used helmet is suspect. Plus, wearing something full of some other dude's hair grease and halitosis is enough to keep me away from used helmets.

As for mail-order fitting, I would order a helmet online, but only if I could return it if the fit was no good. I do the same thing with shoes. So long as there is a return option (which there may not be given the fitting stuff), that is just a sequencing issue. That said, I bought my helmet from a shop in person. It was my first helmet, and head sizing is not something I know as well as ordinary clothing.

Even if a poor fitting helmet is not a technical danger, it increases the annoyance of wearing one. You are less likely to blow off putting on a comfortable helmet for that short ride to the store. IMO comfortable fit equals safety in that regard.

 

[jknappsax]

Maybe the manufacturers should label helmets...

Maybe the manufacturers should label helmets...

... with an expiration date!

 

[macbec29]

Your head is priceless and can't be replaced, buy a helmet worthy of your head.

Standing alone this is a incontrovertible statement, but what does it mean in the real world? Generally the better quality helmets, such as Arai RX-Q or the Shoei QWEST are well made, with no cheap parts and comfortable but they are also top dollar. Isn't there a off or less well known brand with the quality of a shoei or arai but without the 4 or 5 C note price tag? I've looked at some other brands (HJC, AFX, KBC) at half the price but so far they all seem to have some sort of flaw, skimping on the quality of vent parts or flimsy face shield mechanisms or cheap linings, which leads me to believe that the parts of the helmet I can't see may have cheaper parts in there to. So come on all you bargain hunters, who has found a helmet with the quality of a Arai or Shoei but without the "paying for the name" price tag?

Oh and whatever happened to Bell. Back in the day (you know, before disc brakes were invented) they were the bomb, but now they seem to be heavily disfavored. Anyone know why?

 

[MisterCinders]

Provided the helmet is DOT or Snell approved, the pricing is usually for chrome (style, bluetooth, etc.) or comfort (more vents, better linings, etc.).

I don't buy into the $$$ = safety. But I would spend a few dollars more and take the extra fitting time to obtain the most comfort in helmet.

 

[Tom MLC]

Mark, go see Greg at Santa Clara Cycle Accessories. They always have excellent prices and closeout specials. That's where I got my Scorpion and my HJC.

Another option is Cycle Gear on Meridian & Hwy 280. If you catch them in a good mood, they will match on-line pricing. I got my riding pants there after they matched a price from newenough.com.

As far as your old brain bucket. GET RID OF THAT STINKY OLD THING! Thank you.

 

[Guest]

New Arai

New Arai

Just retired my 10yr old Arai Signet GT and got a new Arai Profile Hot Rod White graphic on closeout from Competition Accessories for $299.99. I wasn't crazy about the graphics but couldn't beat the price and the long oval Arai head shape is the only one that fits me comfortably. Don't like it as well as the Signet but still a nice helmet. I've spoken with engineers I work with and they say the helmet materials wouldn't degrade in a 3- 5 yr period and it's just a ploy to sell more helmets or cover the manufacturer in the event of a lawsuit.

 

[evanparker]

i usually replace my helmet when it's time to replace the visor the 2nd time through. usually comes out to once a year.

 

[tkent02]

I've spoken with engineers I work with and they say the helmet materials wouldn't degrade in a 3- 5 yr period and it's just a ploy to sell more helmets or cover the manufacturer in the event of a lawsuit.

This is as likely to be true as anything in this thread, especially the lawsuit part.

 

[ddaniels]

i usually replace my helmet when it's time to replace the visor the 2nd time through. usually comes out to once a year.

Sheesh! I wish I had your helmet budget.

 

[macbec29]

Hey Tom, probably good advice. So available to ride late morn or early afternoon on Sat.?