Helmet age

[Davidtav]

So after returning to motorcycling after a long break one of the things that seems to be recommended now is that helmets need to be replaced every five years. … I don’t remember this from my previous biking. I remember that they shouldn’t be dropped. Or have stickers applied. But replacing if it all seems perfectly ok is new to me. Now I probably will replace the helmet when the time comes. But to be honest I’m not convinced on the science.  I’m thinking it’s bullshit to sell more helmets … what do others do?  Does everyone replace their helmet regularly?

[Stu]

Nope its not bull! its the truth! 

The interior degrades as time goes on which is through usage 

I always aim for 6 years max for me! 

 

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

Nobody really pays attention to how low it’s been sitting on a shelf before you bought it and the guy in the helmet shop laughed when I mentioned it to him so I’m not sure. 
Im guessing it depends on the rate of degradation and that must be incredibly variable. If you’re old enough then you’ll of had old polystyrene packing you’ve found unused that’s lost it’s bounce long ago but when that was who knows...  ?

I once borrowed my Ma’s old helmet and that was definitely not quite right. I’m guessing if you press the polystyrene if it’s really far gone you will know. If it’s in-between who knows.  
Personally I think 5 years may well be a bit short. Then again, how many hours of use is it getting. Many variables. 

[Stu]

1 minute ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

Nobody really pays attention to how low it’s been sitting on a shelf before you bought it

Thats why I go for the high shelf ones

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

Yes Stu I wudda guessed you’d only be looking at the top shelves

Edited December 16, 2020 by Slowlycatchymonkey

[Stu]

14 minutes ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

Yes Stu I wudda guessed you’d only be looking at the top shelves

Thats what the internet is for...................

[Turbogirlie]

I binned my 'serviceable' polycarbonate helmet when I got my bike earlier this year.  Bearing in mind I'd had 12 years off of a bike...I pulled the liner out to find that what I thought was a reasonably new helmet was in fact 20yrs old, bought probably 16yrs ago.  The helmet still fitted really well too.  Gutting.

It used to be recommended to replace polycarbonate helmets every 5 years, but not fibre glass.  I'm showing my age and ignorance of changes in technology - my new helmet is carbon fibre and very lightweight.  Quite happy now to have made the change.

[Tiggie]

Apparently the polystyrene lining degrades and hardens by approx 5% every year if just left alone and faster with more use etc, So after 5 years the helmet could potentially be 25% less effective in a crash 

There is lots of variables to take into account like amount of use, oils/gels getting into contact with the liner (think brylcreem ) and I would assume that a good branded helmet will last longer than a £30 ebay lid.

 

Here is an idea with what to do with your old lid 

[husoi]

I had my first Nolan for 7 years. Then moved to UK and when I got the VFR I got a Shark that made 4 years

I'm back to Nolan going 2 years now and it will run until something starts to malfunction, like visor mechanism or the flip-up starts to play up.

5 years is advisory but we are responsible to ensure we have a proper lid.

@Tiggie ieda is quite a good one  

[Ian Frog]

@Tiggie ieda is quite a good one  

Definitely not a phrase heard often !

Cheers

Ian

[raesewell]

13 minutes ago, Ian Frog said:

@Tiggie ieda is quite a good one  

Definitely not a phrase heard often !

Cheers

Ian

You'll get nominated for TOTY 

[Davidtav]

Thanks guys. And gals … appreciate the advice

[skyrider]

21 hours ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

Yes Stu I wudda guessed you’d only be looking at the top shelves

[The Hitcher]

Just remembered my one is 7 , must get a new one this winter.