Helmet Life

[Trex]

I didn't want to hijack EnyBear's long term review of the Schuberth S1 so, I'll ask the question here, in a separate thread (I see nothing on the subject in Search):

How long do you keep a helmet?

I certainly understand replacing a helmet with crash damage but does anyone follow the industry standard of replacing a helmet after 5 years?

[SeabeckS]

Well...I sort of follow that "standard"...

But since I don't ride nearly as much these days, live in a cool climate, and helmets are stored inside the house, etc, etc, I tend to replace them every 6 or 7 years.

When we lived in Nevada, did a LOT more miles, and in the heat, 5 years seemed plenty.

[BCRDave]

I ride most everyday, between commuting and pleasure riding, and I replace mine every three years; I wear ARAI, whose warranty is 5 years, though I find three years is plenty on a lid for me!

[bradzdotcom]

helmets are designed to be replaced every 5 years, whether you wear it every day, or you only wore it twice.

many helmet manufacturers carry a 5-year warranty on a helmet because they feel that five years is the safe lifespan of the product.

anything past that, and you're on your own, physically and legally.

[jaytee]

I have a couple 6-7yr old helmets that have rarely seen the light of day for occasional small and medium sized pillion use. I'm not worried.

Perhaps I'm an idiot but that's my story.

As for my own which gets 10-12k miles a year; 4 yrs tops.

[throttlemeister]

Helmets wear under the influence of UV light and chemicals (external shell), sweat (liner and inner shell), age (all, but liner is the first to go) and use (liner). If not used much, kept clean and stored properly, they can last well past 5 years. Conversely, sweaty, dirty helmets that are used daily for extended periods of time can be ready for the bin in two years.

For most people, 4 to 5 years is recommended. I don't know how it is in the US, but here there is no legal rule for the age of a helmet. As long as it has ECE05 approval, legally it doesn't matter if it is 15 years old. Also, warranty says nothing about lifespan. Warranty says something about how confident a manufacturer is about its product and how it feels how long it should last minimally. If warranty would be taken as guide as to long a product lasts, Apple users would have to replace their laptops every year as it would fall apart after that.

Personally, I rarely use a helmet more than 2-3 years. Not because it is necessary, but because by thenI fancy a change/newer model/whatever.

[AZ-J]

Here when we ride in the heat and AZ sun, it beats a helmet to death. It does the same to many auto finishes as well.

I'm very lucky to get 5 years in a helmet. Most decay long before that.

[bradzdotcom]

i get nervous after two years.
there are a couple of helmets that are older, and only come out on special occasions, but i'm also anal about cleaning them after each ride.

unless you live in a very mild, fairly consistent climate, things like the heater and A/C in your house doesn't help them any.
styrofoam doesn't break down easily, but it does lose it's ability to absorb impact over time because some of the tiny air bubbles dissipate.

(wanna see something weird? go diving and bring a styrofoam cup with you. they compress as you go deeper.)



(not my hand, not my cup).

[nathanmargolis]

I think this topic was my first post when I joined 3-4 years ago. If not mistaken, Bradzdotcom made the same comment then as he does now- Most manufacturers warranty helmets for 5-years so that is the life expectancy. And I agree with that.

Will I keep one around longer than 5-years? Been known to do that but but have newer ones that are used as the "main hat". From time to time, I might break out an older helmet to be "color cordinated" similar to taking out an old tie for a particular suit. For that I am stupid, but will do that on occasion. However, eventually will toss the helmet in the trash around the 7-year mark.

With all the great Internet sights for motorcycle helmets, no reason not to get a new lid "main hat" every 4-5 years. I prefer Shoei because of comfort, sizes appear to be unilateral year-to-year, and you can find solid color ones for $250-$300. But I will pick up a cheaper HJC or similar with the sport designs for around $100 on clearance ($150 to $200 MSRP) every so often as secondary. Never found a helmet that is as comfortable as Shoei for my head though.

My thought- get a new lid every 5-6 years for sure unless you are flat wearing them out quicker.

Nathan

[Corky]

Originally Posted by bradzdotcom

i get nervous after two years.
there are a couple of helmets that are older, and only come out on special occasions, but i'm also anal about cleaning them after each ride.

unless you live in a very mild, fairly consistent climate, things like the heater and A/C in your house doesn't help them any.
styrofoam doesn't break down easily, but it does lose it's ability to absorb impact over time because some of the tiny air bubbles dissipate.

(wanna see something weird? go diving and bring a styrofoam cup with you. they compress as you go deeper.)



(not my hand, not my cup).

Send me your old "Rossi helmets you have laying around. I'll put those old things to use...

[bradzdotcom]

oh sure, no prob corky.
which one?
i guess i should also purchase a few new face shields and tearoff packs for you before i send it over.

naturally, i'll be happy to pay the overnight shipping too.

it might be best to get a receipt for delivery also, so...start hanging out on the front porch, waiting for the ups guy at about 8:30 am.
should definitely be there some time tomorrow.
if not, stay on the porch until friday.

please don't leave, as you'll need to be there to sign for it.

[wswartzwel]

How often should you replace your doo rag?

[bradzdotcom]

depends on what you did in your doo rag.

[Corky]

I'm camped out on my front porch........

[bradzdotcom]

...it's in the mail.

[AZ-Twin]

I wish I had a front porch, just a concrete pad outside the front door and a sidewalk to the driveway.

[bradzdotcom]

which is why you're not getting a helmet.

[steven001]

Well...I sort of follow that "standard"...

[josephvman]

I've been using the same doo rag for at least 15 years!

How often should you replace your doo rag?

[AZ-Twin]

Originally Posted by josephvman

I've been using the same doo rag for at least 15 years!

Is it DOT approved?