Do you replace your helmet cause it's old? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

uid100 · 12-05-2008, 04:02 AM

According to MSF, most manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every 2 to 4 years (or after a crash, drop, scratch, fever, chills, or erection lasting more than 4 hours, ok, maybe that last thing was something else... I'm a victim of too much sports TV and late night television.)

Anyway, I want to know if anyone actually replaces their helmet just cause it's old.

I'm sure that certain materials break down faster than others, and that mistreating a helmet can shorten its effectiveness, but would you consider replacing it solely because of an "expiration date?" And if so, are you then ethically bound to destroy it to see that someone doesn't by some odd alignment of circumstance, wear it on the road, unaware that it has outlived its usefulness?

huskerbob · 12-05-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uid100

According to MSF, most manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every 2 to 4 years (or after a crash, drop, scratch, fever, chills, or erection lasting more than 4 hours, ok, maybe that last thing was something else... I'm a victim of too much sports TV and late night television.)

Anyway, I want to know if anyone actually replaces their helmet just cause it's old.

I'm sure that certain materials break down faster than others, and that mistreating a helmet can shorten its effectiveness, but would you consider replacing it solely because of an "expiration date?" And if so, are you then ethically bound to destroy it to see that someone doesn't by some odd alignment of circumstance, wear it on the road, unaware that it has outlived its usefulness?

Good questions all.....and I don't have answers for any of them. I can only add another question.

I've always heard that motorcycle helmets are a "single use" product. Once they've sustained an impact, they should be discarded.

My question then is, what do they do when they manufacture football helmets that makes them "continuous use" products?

Obviously a m/c crash at speed is more severe than a football tackle. Is that the difference???

just curious....

FXDRYDR · 12-05-2008, 05:35 AM

Methinks there's a little fear-marketing going on wrt helmets.

I replaced my last one after more than 20 years. The styrofoam between the shell and the liner had become dried-out and was crumbly. Seemed to me its ability to absorb energy was degraded, so I tossed it.

IMO, so long as the materials seem functional - the helmet will do its job.

I think of all the plastic, fiberglass and composite products we have - and they don't arbitrarily "go bad." Boats, aircraft, Corvettes, Saturns - all use a range of plastics, fiberglass and composites. They have to meet a variety of crash and safety standards - and they don't "go bad" after a period of time.

That said, some compounds do react to sunlight and exposure to other things over time. So... I just periodically check the condition of the helmet components and use my best, common sense judgement. Also, were I in an accident where my helmet took a hard thump to the point that the liner was deformed or the shell degraded - I'd replace it.

OldMsocko · 12-05-2008, 05:48 AM

I do know that where I work we replace our hard hats every 5 years. That is the manufactures recommendation.I believe that if I can spend hundreds of dollars on chrome and engine builds, I can certainly afford a new helment to protect the most importnat part of the bike. That is my head. I will be buying a new helment for my wife and I the next riding season. I am a Safety Professional at work, so I am anal about Safety.

Mr. Clean · 12-05-2008, 07:17 AM

I always buy helmets that are both DOT & SNELL approved. SNELL changes their approval sticker every 5 years - ie: 1995, 2000, 2005 etc. I buy a new helmet whenever the latest SNELL dated helmets become available- usually later in the year of the new sticker.

When I was autocrossing, they allowed the use of helmets with the SNELL sticker that was the current one and the previous one. This meant that you were allowed to race with a helmet that was up to 10 years old.

It seems that the foam liner is the part of the helmet that deteriorates the most due to ageing. That is the part that actually absorbs the impact if your head hits the ground. The shell basically is there to protect the liner from UV rays and to keep the liner in place during an impact.

In summary, I prefer to replace my helmet every 5 years (assuming no impact) and would not ride with any helmet that is 10 years old or older.

baggersport · 12-05-2008, 07:30 AM

"Do you replace your helmet cause it's old? "

...about every 3 years. Some helmet manufacturers will inspect your helmet for you if it was dropped or in a minor accident....

.

SFTL-1 · 12-05-2008, 09:36 AM

I replace mine every 5 years. I typically take care of my helmets and can usually sell on eBay for at least 1/3 of the price I paid. Obviously there are buyers out there who don't think the 3-5 suggested replacement period for a helmet is an issue.

bill corkey · 12-05-2008, 09:54 AM

Still using a shoei duotec modular helmut that was purchased in 1992.
Use in the winter mostly but also have a couple of other ,a new open face and a old 1995 half helmet. Hey, and if anyone is a collector , i have a 60s era Arai half helmut in decent shape but obviously not up to current standards.

Krayven Sumhead · 12-07-2008, 07:57 AM

I replaced mine after it went bouncing by me going 45mph as I stopped for a STOP sign in ME while camping.

claydbal · 12-07-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayven Sumhead

I replaced mine after it went bouncing by me going 45mph as I stopped for a STOP sign in ME while camping.

did it speak as it passed?

Krayven Sumhead · 12-07-2008, 01:18 PM

I believe it said, "You're a fool for not wearing me" splat. Actually I thought I had it on cuz I wear light weight helmet liner with a brim, otherwise known as a ball cap. My first thought was "Who's helmet is that?".

Gerg · 12-07-2008, 02:58 PM

The ability of the shock absorbing materials to absorb shock deteriorate with age. The main absorbing material is Styrofoam. It's life expectancy if determined by several things. Age and enviroment are the two biggies. If your helmet sets in your 100+ degree garage all summer it isn't going to last as long as if you keep it in the house.

The other energy absorbing material is the foam rubber. It too deteriorates with age and enviroment.

What do I do? I change helmets about every 3 to 5 years. Like OldMsocko said, you spend a lot more on farkles than helmets. It's cheap insurance to keep your head safe.

For the nay sayers... save that old helmet and wear the new one for a couple of years. Then try on the old one. You will feel the difference.

Old helmets can be used as planters too

claydbal · 12-07-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krayven Sumhead

I believe it said, "You're a fool for not wearing me" splat. Actually I thought I had it on cuz I wear light weight helmet liner with a brim, otherwise known as a ball cap. My first thought was "Who's helmet is that?".

LOLOL, you aint right man.

DBotkin · 12-10-2008, 05:36 PM

I just replaced both mine and my wife's after 3 years. I'm not worried about the old ones; we're keeping them around for backups & loaners for a while. I figure I'm smart enough to be able to look at the helmets and tell if things have started to degrade.

We decided on new ones because we wanted modulars to cut down on the wind noise -- especially to keep it from constantly triggering the intercom's VOX. If I had the VOX set to trigger at less than shouting volume, the exhaust and wind noise would pop it in & out and it got really annoying. New HJC Sy-Max II buckets, end of problem. Besides, the new ones have liners that are easy to remove & wash. The old ones were getting a little grungy and sweaty.

We'll probably keep these a lot longer. Total spend for two helmets and two new headsets was well over $700.