Dropped helmet

**Furyos J** · 19th July 2011, 07:02

Hi all, i had a quick search on here, aqnd it seems if your helmet is dropped you are sopposed to buy a new one?
I was out on a job last nite (debt collector/document server) and came accross a guy who took exception to me doing my job. while him and his flatmate were trying standover tactics on me, he has taken a running boot at my helmet (sitting on the ground next to my bike) and he has kicked it down the road, its tumbled 10metres or so down the road. on inspection in the light there are a few light scratchs on the matt black vynl covering of the helmet.
I called the police at the time (as is procedure when i am threatened or assulted) who told me they didnt think my helmet would be damaged by rolling down the road, and not to worry about it. The went to the house to give the guys who threatened me a telling off, but i dont want any other action at this stage. The policeman said to call him if my helmet is damaged, and we can take it from there.
What do you guys think?

**James Deuce** · 19th July 2011, 07:17

It's fucked. Get a new one. For it to be sufficiently damaged to need replacedment it doesn't have to have visible damage.

As for what the cop said, well pffft, it's not like his head ever has to go in it.

When it comes to helmets you have to be able to trust them. If in doubt, throw it out.

**slofox** · 19th July 2011, 07:23

Have a look at this video...from about 7.15 onwards deals with "dropped" helmets. My own feeling is that the kick may have been more damaging than the rolling down the road.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...elmets/283819/

**oneofsix** · 19th July 2011, 07:53

Originally Posted by slofox

Have a look at this video...from about 7.15 onwards deals with "dropped" helmets. My own feeling is that the kick may have been more damaging than the rolling down the road.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...elmets/283819/

Now you have me worried I'm wearing the wrong sized bra - I mean helmet.
Well what the Arai man said went against what I had been told but makes sense.
Not sure how it helps the OP as a kick can be more damaging than a fall from a bike seat. Guess he will have to judge that one on being there on the night. If in doubt replace it. As J said even a 10 cent head is worth a $300 helmet

**p.dath** · 19th July 2011, 08:11

It's a bit of a tough one. I can understand you don't want to make a fuss if it is not warranted.

I guess for me I would weigh it up with some other factors. For example, helmets only have a lifetime of 5 years or so. So if the helmet was three years, and had a low energy impact like this, I'd probably write it off.

If the helmet was a low cost helmet, then I'd be tempted to write it off. You can explain to the Police the cost of getting the helmet tested exceeds the value of the helmet, and that helmets are only good for a single energy absorption - despite how it might look, and it has now had that single energy absorption.

On the balance, I'd be tempted to ring the Police back and say the helmet needs to be replaced.

**Furyos J** · 19th July 2011, 08:44

Hey, thanks for the input guys.
the helmet is only 7 months old, but it is a "cheaper" helmet, only $140 or so. Ive rang a couple of bike shops and got mixed advice, one said if its a plastic one it should be fine, if its fibreglass its poked, another said anything thats taken a drop of 1metre or more should be replaced. Ive always thought i should have a better helmet, so i may just get a good name brand helmet out of my own pocket soon. Ive also contacted the companys lawyer to see my legal standing, as its a bit fuzzy because my bike was parked on his property (the end of his driveway) due to the road being a steep hill and the driveway was nice and flat, but according to the police on the night i may not be legaly entitled to park on his drive.
From the attending police attitude (they kind of rolled thier eyes when i explained the situation, almost like i was wasting thier time was the feeling i got) and the fact its only worth $140 and the guy who did the damage will just plead poverty, or that i provoked him, im probably better off to take the loss and pay for a new helmet myself

thanks for the input

**slofox** · 19th July 2011, 11:45

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Now you have me worried I'm wearing the wrong sized bra - I mean helmet.
Well what the Arai man said went against what I had been told but makes sense.
Not sure how it helps the OP as a kick can be more damaging than a fall from a bike seat. Guess he will have to judge that one on being there on the night. If in doubt replace it. As J said even a 10 cent head is worth a $300 helmet

My bra...errr helmet fits fine. I know this because herself said so...

I think it's all about how much energy the helmet had to absorb - which is what the Arai man was saying. It's also why I think the kick might be the
"kicker" as it were in the OP's case...

As the first reply said, "if in doubt, chuck it out."

**BurningPlastic** · 19th July 2011, 14:13

If the kick took the helmet 10m down the road then it was probably enough to cause damage... The rolling post-kick would probably not do much (unless there were some big bounces).

For $140 it's probably not worth the time and effort to try to reclaim the cost, especially since the police don't feel like backing you up.

I think the best advice I can give is get a new helmet, and print off and keep with you the manufacturer's recommendations for helmet damage and replacement. That way, if you ever have this happen again, you can show them to the police on site...

**Parlane** · 19th July 2011, 14:50

I suggest that in future, don't show up on a fancy bike to collect debt

Get yourself a little Toyota starlet, so you look like a poor dude who is just doing his job.

**Mom** · 19th July 2011, 18:33

Cut the straps off it and get a new one. As others have said, why take a risk with your head?

**steve_t** · 19th July 2011, 18:48

Originally Posted by Mom

Cut the straps off it and get a new one. As others have said, why take a risk with your head?

This. It's not going to protect you as well any more

**FJRider** · 19th July 2011, 18:53

You have contents insurance ... ??? If so claim ...

And ... send a bill for a NEW helmet to the "kicker" ... give it a week or so ... If they dont pay (betting they wont) ... then pass it on to Baycorp ... even if you DONT get paid, it will be an (another) unpaid account AGAINST their name ....

**Parlane** · 19th July 2011, 18:55

Go do your job and collect $140 off the man

**DangerMice** · 19th July 2011, 19:34

My helmet was hanging on the handlebar by the strap when dropped it picking it up. It hit the concrete floor and rolled out onto the gravel driveway. I replaced it, but then I just been looking at new ones that week so it wasn't a big deal.

**James Deuce** · 19th July 2011, 19:42

Originally Posted by DangerMice

My helmet was hanging on the handlebar by the strap when dropped it picking it up. It hit the concrete floor and rolled out onto the gravel driveway. I replaced it, but then I just been looking at new ones that week so it wasn't a big deal.

This is why you only ever put your helmet where it can't fall. You know, the ground.