Girlfriend dropped helmet - doo i need to get her a new one?

[londonbiker]

Hey all,

Right then, getting onto the bike this morning, my girlfriend dropped her helmet while putting it on. It dropped from about 5ft onto our tarmac driveway.

Do I need to buy a replacement? The helmet is only 1 month old and I am loathed to splash more cash, but more loathed to risk her safety!

So, is it likely to need a replacement or are todays helmets OK with a bit of a drop with no force behind it?

Thanks for any advice on the subject......I am guessing the outcome will be best to get a new one to be safe than sorry, but just thought I'd check in?

Rob

[MtotheJ]

The general rule i think is any drop from hip height on to solid ground, youll need a new one. If there are any doubts, get a new one! Get her to bloody pay for it though, she dropped it!

[MonkeyKnuckle]

What make is it? Some makes will test it for you. Think Arai do....not sure about any others.

[TC1474]

What make is it? Some makes will test it for you. Think Arai do....not sure about any others.

 

The only way they can properly test it is to strip it down to its component parts and then rebuild. This wouuld take it outside its EC22/05 accreditation as only the factory is qualified to do the rebuild.

X-Rays just show a black blob and don't determine whether the liner has been flatspotted.

 

The general rule i think is any drop from hip height on to solid ground, youll need a new one. If there are any doubts, get a new one! Get her to bloody pay for it though, she dropped it!

 

Absolutely right, and in fact some manufacturers recommmend change from even lower heights for the reason I mentioned above, it is not about the shell but the liner.

If you have all risk house contents insurance, you may be able to claim as it is covered under goods temporarily away from the home.

[bex]

if its an arai then send it in they check it n if its ok they let you have a certificate, i have dropped mine and it was ok.

[Guest Mr Miller]

You might also consider getting a new, more careful girlfriend?

[Pete]

Echoing what has been said - if you can get it checked then do. If you can't I think bite the bullet and get a new one.

The protective part of the helmet is just polystyrene and is designed to crumble and take any impact. As soon as it's done that it's useless and won't protect a head if struck in that part (or surrounding parts I guess as the shockwave from an impact has nowhere to dissipate to).

My feeling - sorry buddy but I'd get a new one.

[blakeatron]

I dropped my arai from waist height and then watched it roll down the hill for quite a few metres - thought it was scuppered as was covered in dents and scratches.

Took it to the shop to buy a new one and they sent it away instead - came back all good with a cerificate to say so

[Hoody]

The outer shell may be scratched, but as long as it is intact should be OK.

The polystyrene inner didn't have any weight inside it so shouldn't have deformed/compressed - It needs the head inside to compress it in a collision.

All that said, if it was me I would get a new lid.

[TC1474]

The polystyrene inner didn't have any weight inside it so shouldn't have deformed/compressed - It needs the head inside to compress it in a collision.

 

Sorry to contradict you, but that is not true.

The simple act of dropping the helmet is enough to compress the inner liner, it does not need a head inside to do the damage.

Some of the tests done at various factories show that the inner liner can be compressed by up to 30 - 35% over a wide area, which may not sound a lot, but is substantial when you need it to absorb impact in a real crash.

[Guest]

Get a new one... up to a couple of hundred or risk it... all I know is that I value my head far more than that.

[hurtank]

depends how much she pisses you off tbh.

[Guest]

If it were me, it'd be replaced. A drop from 5ft is a long way...

[Guest]

If it were me, it'd be replaced. A drop from 5ft is a long way...

5'ft, what she do take it off and let go... i'd have to drop it from my shoulders to do that...

[Petarded]

Sell the old one to some chav mug on ebay for a few bob and get a nice shiny new one! Two birds with one stone, less chavs on the road and your girlfriend will still be alive if you crash (i.e., you can still get laid).

It's a win-win situation!

[jabcrosshook]

Sell the old one to some chav mug on ebay for a few bob and get a nice shiny new one! Two birds with one stone, less chavs on the road and your girlfriend will still be alive if you crash (i.e., you can still get laid).

It's a win-win situation!

 

What a silly thing to say.

[iWannaGoFast]

Remove some of the *fnarr brap brap* from the genepool through no fault of anyones? (except said pondlife for buying a second-hand helmet on eBay? Can't see a thing wrong TBH.

[Guest]

i'd have to drop it from my shoulders to do that...

 

Whilst standing on a milk crate??

[Hoody]

The polystyrene inner didn't have any weight inside it so shouldn't have deformed/compressed - It needs the head inside to compress it in a collision.

 

Sorry to contradict you, but that is not true.

The simple act of dropping the helmet is enough to compress the inner liner, it does not need a head inside to do the damage.

Some of the tests done at various factories show that the inner liner can be compressed by up to 30 - 35% over a wide area, which may not sound a lot, but is substantial when you need it to absorb impact in a real crash.

 

Job then? TVP CIU?

FYI I would recommend replacement as I alluded to in the last line you didn't quote!

[awwwnuts]

Here is a motorcycling organisation article, might be of some use, and a link to Snell

http://www.smf.org/

How Often Should I Replace my Helmet and Why?

A helmet should be replaced about once every 5 years if it's been properly taken care of and hasn't been involved in an accident or some other impact. Helmets are made of materials which begin to deteriorate with age which gives them a limited life span.

The 5 year rule should be taken from the date of manufacture which is stamped on the inside of a new helmet, or in the caes of an arai on the helmet strap, and not from the date you bought it as retailers buy in bulk they may have had the helmet a year or so before you buy it, just check when your buying it.

Just dropping your helmet from waist height onto a concrete floor could compromise some of the materials used in the construction of your helmet liner so take care not to carelessly drop your helmet or accidently knock it off your bike. If your helmet HAS been involved in an accident or some other first time impact, all of the safety features are compromised once the helmet has become distressed in some way.

The interior liner will start to deteriorate once it comes in contact with hair oils, body oils or fluids (sweat) and/or cosmetics. Glues, resins, and other materials that are used in the construction of the helmet will eventually break down which will affect the interior liner of your helmet and compromise it's protective qualities.

In order to make sure the protective qualities of your helmet last as long as possible, ensure you take care of it by cleaning the interior liner and keeping it in a safe place free from accidental falls and knocks when not on your head.

[Hoody]

D'oh - Clearly written for Americans!

[awwwnuts]

Actually ACU

[Hoody]

Actually ACU

 

Not far off - for those with no brain! (Must be summat missing to go racing!! )

[awwwnuts]

Actually ACU

 

Not far off - for those with no brain! (Must be summat missing to go racing!! )

 

From someone who rode a Pan...an authority on the subject

[Guest]

whats her old one?

how much is a new one?

can you afford it?

can you afford not to?

If it was yours would you?

nuff said.