Should I replace my helmet?

[mowgli]

I recently had a low speed (<50kph estimated) glancing collision with an earthen bank. A witness reported me airborne and I can confirm the landing hurt. I experienced no loss of consciousness nor any symptoms of concussion following the off. My Shoei Raid II attracted some mud but outwardly appears undamaged apart from a scratch across the visor.

On principle I will replace the helmet because despite the lack of head injury I have no way of checking whether the inner layers have been compressed at all. It was in a bin; it should be binned; it will be replaced.

It got me thinking though. Noting cost, what would you do in my shoes?

[Nasty]

My head is worth more than using a helmit that may or may not have integrity damage .. I would buy a new one.

[TonyB]

IF it didn't hit the ground, in theory it should be fine. If it did, get rid of it.

As an aside, your helmet and gear should be covered under house hold insurance (assuming you have some).
I was surprised to find recently that AMI would even cover my gear when racing. Helemt and gloves replaced and leathers repaired with a $100 excess! They do 'depreciate' you gear though, but then they do that with cars too.

[AllanB]

Any excuse for a new helmet is a good one - shopping time :clap:

[raftn]

I wouldnt hesitate, i would replace it........but mind you i am alywasy looking for an excuse to buy new gear!

[CB ARGH]

Play it safe - buy a new one mate. :msn-wink:

[Ragingrob]

Ignoring cost? Then of course anyone would get a new one!!! It's the cost that puts people off!

[mowgli]

Ignoring cost? Then of course anyone would get a new one!!! It's the cost that puts people off!

Good point. My bad. Doesn't even make sense really. I've reworded the question from 'ignoring' to 'noting' cost. Voting and comments pretty one sided anyway.

[Nordy]

I make hubby replace his mountain bike helmets after an off so would be the same with a motorbike helmet (especially as more speed is involved)

[Renegade]

it made contact with some thing so replace it.

[James Deuce]

My head is worth more than using a helmit that may or may not have integrity damage
Mine's not, but any excuse to buy something shiny!

[Usarka]

A witness reported me airborne and I can confirm the landing hurt. I experienced no loss of consciousness nor any symptoms of concussion following the off.


Do you remember flying through the air? If not it might be a symptom memory loss from a blow.

Or it might not.

[moT]

it sounds like the helmet is fine. it takes quite alot to dammage a helmet (they do spend millions makeing them good) if there are no chips or scratches on the helmet (visor doesnt count) it should be fine and you hit a soft bank and not directly with your head anyway so i say its ok but if you do wanna get another i say keep that one for passengers

[fridayflash]

yep,id do like tom said,replace it and keep that one as a spare, sounds like
it'd still hold water so to speak

[DEATH_INC.]

If it only hit soft earth then I'd keep it. It's unlikely to have damaged it .... but if there's a chance it hit something solid I'd prolly bin it, especially if ya can afford a newie...

[Duke girl]

I agree with Nasty buy a new 1 as regardless of whether or not it hit the ground they say u should replace your helmet after 5yrs.

[WasPhantom]

I would replace it without hesitation.

[NZsarge]

If your helmet came in contact with anything during the accident replace it.

[TygerTung]

If it has not had a blow and only contacted soft dirt I can't see it being a problem.

People crash while racing all the time and don't replace their helmets 'just because they crashed' I think that when you crash you instinctively keep your head off the ground. It doesn't sound very bad so I'd keep it. If you have too much money I guess you could keep it as a spare and buy a new one.

[Usarka]

I've been knocked unconscious after hitting "soft dirt" on a mountain bike with no visible damage to the [mountain bike] helmet.

meh - your head.

[madandy]

Having hit relatively soft earth there would be little reason for visible damage.
The material inside compresses as your head moves against it.
replace it.

[mowgli]

Well insurance stumped up for a new helmet and required me to show that I'd disposed of the damaged one. This is what I sent them.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xMqkEKV6YM0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xMqkEKV6YM0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[blacksheep]

that looked like it went in real easy!:eek5:

[WasPhantom]

el oh el!!

[mowgli]

that looked like it went in real easy!:eek5:

Actually that was the second of two hits with the axe. The first will give you more confidence in your lid.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hOMCggJ5R4o&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hOMCggJ5R4o&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[geoffc]

My son had a prang & the insurance company paid up for a new helmet, no hesitation, great peace of mind for all concerned. Gloves too. Couldn't help thinking good thoughts re insurance companies. So often you only get to hear the bad stories. Glad you were also looked after.

[Owl]

Well insurance stumped up for a new helmet and required me to show that I'd disposed of the damaged one. This is what I sent them.

I did the same with my Arai. After 4 big blows I managed to crush the top, but I couldn't get the axe to penetrate the shell!:woohoo:

[mowgli]

I did the same with my Arai. After 4 big blows I managed to crush the top, but I couldn't get the axe to penetrate the shell!:woohoo:
I was surprised how hard the shell was. The axe I used is actually a wood splitter so heavier than a normal chopper. Twice in the same spot and it was all over rover.

[swedencamilla]

This is an absolute no-brainer. Definitely replace the helmet!!! Head injuries are one of the main types of injuries sustained by motorcycle riders. A helmet that has sustained a blow may look completely fine, but have signficantly decreased shock absorption.

[Patch]

Nah just send it to Katman, it'll match his 'hole in his head'

[southernmike]

Buy a new one. A long time ago (1985 was the last I remembered it happening) ACC actually cared about preventing injury instead of just talking about it and would replace motorcycle gear that had been in an accident. They would replace a helmet even if there was no visible damage (great for changing helmet colours which I guess is partly why the scheme died!). I don't ride sports bikes on repaired tyres either.

[Kiwi Graham]

BUY A NEW ONE!!!!!!!
Why take the risk? Take a look at your household insurance, you might be covered! At the end of the day a few hundred bucks is cheap for peace of mind.

[Dakara]

Excellent, the search function works!

This has answered my question... in my bin my Hip and Knee took the brunt of the impact when I hit the road, my helmet hit also but the only damage was to the side of the visor. Been wondering if I should replace it, and looks like I will be!

Will keep the Visor though, the only scratches are on the far side and I'm too cheap to buy another tinted one :laugh: