Arai Helmets

[Anonymous]

My son just bought himsel a new helmet--snell approved??
He gave back to me an old ARAI X75 helmet--full face--this helmet was given to me a few years back by my cousin in New York. I have never had it on because iwas not fond of full face helmets. I just tried it on and it fits but the material that is molded onto the helmet plastic itself seems hard(under the padding) is that the way they are made or is it just petrified--i think the helmet is 25 years old

[moto_dan]

If your talking about the stryofoam(sp?) then it is relatively hard, but a 25 year old helmet? Maybe it's about time for a new one? Just bought another HJC LT-20 off ebay, NOS for less than a $100. Same helmet from Chapparral is $242.

[Anonymous]

If your talking about the stryofoam(sp?) then it is relatively hard, but a 25 year old helmet? Maybe it's about time for a new one? Just bought another HJC LT-20 off ebay, NOS for less than a $100. Same helmet from Chapparral is $242.

Dan I have a new hwlmet-2 years old--i am just wondering about this helmet--it is in good shape-- is there a reason why this helmet should be discarded or changed

[redliner1973]

Most helmets, even the 'expensive' ones, have a 5 year shelf life. After that, the material gets old, hard, and wont protect as well. My opinion, destroy it and get a new one.

[Anonymous]

If your talking about the stryofoam(sp?) then it is relatively hard, but a 25 year old helmet? Maybe it's about time for a new one? Just bought another HJC LT-20 off ebay, NOS for less than a $100. Same helmet from Chapparral is $242.

Damn. And I just bought mine (solid color (black)) for $163 at a local shop (on sale).


-=Whittey=-

[Anonymous]

I'll have to admit that I wear a helmet with an unknown history and it is stupid for me to do so. I did try to replace it with a half-helmet but I can't stand the new one. Unfortunately for many of us monetary issues come before safety but anybody wearing a 25 year old helmet must have gotten their moneys worth out of it! You may as well be riding around with a paper bag over your head...

Helmets need to be x-rayed after every accident (including dropping them) but this will not tell the owner if the helmet is failing due to gasoline fumes (putting a helmet on a gas tank ruins it). Also, driving around with your spare helmet hanging from its strap will destroy it as will propping it up on the bike by jamming a handle bar end into it.

Steve

[Anonymous]

srivett are u kidding me? i do all those things.

[Anonymous]

Arai Helmets

The soft polyfoam surrounded with cloth will deteriorete to the point of it crumbling to a dust like texture. The reasons it deteriorate are:

Sweat and oil from your head (main cause), ambient moisture, heat and the naturally occuring ozone that is airborne.

But your sweat and oil from your head accelerate the process of deterioration when combined with all the others.

To lengthen the life of the soft foam use a bandana or one of those pre-cut bandanas like they sell in JCWhitney or Dennis Kirk. Cost approx. $9.00 but will considerably lengthen the life of the polyfoam and cloth, and keeps it from getting stinky.

One more thing, when storing it away for the season, wrap it up in layers of news papers, put in cardboard box and seal box. Or buy some dessicant, bags filled with silica jel.

[Anonymous]

Re: Arai Helmets

The soft polyfoam surrounded with cloth will deteriorete to the point of it crumbling to a dust like texture. The reasons it deteriorate are:

Sweat and oil from your head (main cause), ambient moisture, heat and the naturally occuring ozone that is airborne.

But your sweat and oil from your head accelerate the process of deterioration when combined with all the others.

To lengthen the life of the soft foam use a bandana or one of those pre-cut bandanas like they sell in JCWhitney or Dennis Kirk. Cost approx. $9.00 but will considerably lengthen the life of the polyfoam and cloth, and keeps it from getting stinky.

One more thing, when storing it away for the season, wrap it up in layers of news papers, put in cardboard box and seal box. Or buy some dessicant, bags filled with silica jel.

I guess i willjust use it as an ornament in the garage and go back to wearing my open face helmet--the styro foam in the ARAI feel like its made of concrete.
Thanks ALL for the input

[saaz]

An open face..I think I would like to protect that pretty face of yours scotty )

[Anonymous]

An open face..I think I would like to protect that pretty face of yours scotty )

I have nothing to lose--never wore a full face. I understand they are better. Ill look for one on sale somewhere.

[bucketsofgs1000]

I have been recommended to replace a helmet every five or so years, by a number of people, including some who used to race motorcycles. On a similar note, I replaced mine this year with an Arai Signet GTR (~$450 at a dealer), and it is the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Great ventilation, light weight, and a nice lining. Its not even horribly hot here in MD with 90 degree days. I would recommend replacing your helmet if its more than five years old, but they are expensive and I pushed my last one for about 7 years. It depends on your opinion of their effectiveness and your need to protect your brain.

[Big T]

Somewhere around here I've got a magazine interview with someone at Shoei who states the helmets life is 5-7 years (just to confirm the 5 yr above)

All helmets sold in the US have a sticker in them with the month and year of manufacture. If you don't see that, don't use it.

That $100-400 is a lot less than you'll pay for gas over 5 years.

How much is your head worth?

[mark]

I have a beautiful red white and blue Bell helmet that's about 25 years old. Paid $300 for it which was a lot of money back then. It hangs out in the garage and the wasps build beautiful nests in it. That's what its good for.

[Keith Winter]

Helmet's

Hi
I think it was the May issue of Motorcyclist magazine that had the big write up and testing of helmets, I think if you guy's can get your hands on that months issue, READ IT. You also can forget everything you all thought you knew about helmets, as I found out, it's ALL wrong. Stuff like Snell rating? Used lid's? Fibreglass vs Poly shell's? The "I race so I need a super lid"? Forget about it! It IS a eye opener and will probably make all the guy's who bought really expensive helmets thinking that money get's you more protection, very angry! Find it and read it.
Keith