HJC, not a cracker!

[mikey]

i dont know how people can really do reviews of helmets without crashing them, an now i have heres mine

i realised my helmet (ancient white shoei) wouldn make it through scrutineering at the kiwibiker taupo trackday as it had the full road treatment. so the day before i potted off to super cheap an bought a can of matt black spray paint an gave it a quick clean with turps an meths, then sprayed a few coats on, did the trick at scrutineering (a frosty!!!!!!!!!!!)
until it got rained upon at a 100kmh an rain chipped paint away,

was informed by a enforcer of the law at a breath check that it was most definitly in a fineable condition an i should be walking home with a helmet in that condition.

i decided that the seeing i got off the fine id buy a new helmet, an that i did, a week ago to the hour that helmet met the rimutaka hill at a fair rate of knots, but the helmet is stil in fairly good condition bar the rash. it didnt shatter or crack an the buckle even stayed done up. i reckon this puppy could be crashed another half dozen times before it shatters.

so im fairly happy with my HJC! just need some shiny balck spary paint an a new visor.

[Flyingpony]

Good to see the helmet is quality.
I'll put that on my list of possible brands when it comes time to replace my existing helmet.

But once dropped/crashed, throw it away and get another one.
Piece of mind insurance.

[Postie]

i'm glad ur nuggin is still in one piece, but u should know (and more then one person will post this) u should replace ur lid after a crash unless u get it checked by a pro incase u have cracked it internally. also u shouldn't use spray paint on ur helmet as the paint will damage the plastic outter shell by thining it and making it less likely to hold together if u hit the ground again..... and don't clean it with meths.if u want another oppinion. call a bike shop or the helmet manufacturer.

[Riff Raff]

i decided that the seeing i got off the fine id buy a new helmet, an that i did, a week ago to the hour that helmet met the rimutaka hill at a fair rate of knots, but the helmet is stil in fairly good condition bar the rash. it didnt shatter or crack an the buckle even stayed done up. i reckon this puppy could be crashed another half dozen times before it shatters.

so im fairly happy with my HJC! just need some shiny balck spary paint an a new visor.

I was pretty happy with the performance of my HJC in my accident - my head gave the road a fair whack, and apart from being dazed for a few seconds my head was fine. There's a few chips in the helmet, but looks good otherwise. Nevertheless I am replacing it as I wouldn't trust the structural integrity if I had another crash with it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Piece of mind insurance.

Or to put it another way - insurance to keep your mind from going to pieces.

[vifferman]

and don't clean it with meths.

Meths should be OK, but avoid stronger solvents like petrol, brush cleaner, thinners, acetone, tequila, paint stripper, absinthe....

[N4CR]

My HJC CL-14 has been dropped a few times - two small (30cm) ones and one 1m or so fall... I'm looking at replacing it quite soon.
The only issue I have with it is that stones and stuff (if you rest the helmet with the top on gravel/concrete) can scratch/pit the plastic quite deeply. I don't think it would be a major structural problem, but its just something to look out for - keep stones away.

[Lou Girardin]

Meths should be OK, but avoid stronger solvents like petrol, brush cleaner, thinners, acetone, tequila, paint stripper, absinthe....

I only use absinthe as an internal cleanser. How well does it work on helmets?

[vifferman]

I only use absinthe as an internal cleanser. How well does it work on helmets?

I dunno if we've got any left in the cupboard (No.1 son has somewhat of a penchant for strange drinks) or I'd test it, but I'd imagine it'd be good for removing protein, road spooge, old sticker residue, that sort of thing...

[erik]

it didnt shatter or crack an the buckle even stayed done up. i reckon this puppy could be crashed another half dozen times before it shatters.

Sounds like it was bloody lucky you got a new helmet when you did!

The outer plastic shell of the helmet might look ok, particularly with plastic ones which return to their original shape after a crash, but it's the inside polystyrene bit that protects your brain by absorbing the impact.
When polystyrene is crushed (like in an accident) it doesn't spring back to its original shape, it stays crushed, so it won't be able to cushion a second impact as well. If you want to see what I mean, try getting a piece of polystyrene packing and crushing it.
If your helmet took a decent knock, get it replaced!

[curious george]

i reckon this puppy could be crashed another half dozen times before it shatters. just need some shiny balck spary paint an a new visor.

I agree.
If there is no visable damage, you prob didn't even hit your head, so just keep goin I recon.
If it's only a wee graze, not enough to wipe the paint off, I would consider that a minor thing an d not worthy of replacement.
If a helmet is going to split apart after a wee drop, it probably wont do a very good job for your head when you need to.
Just my 2c
Actually, you did have a pretty major headache after, so perhaps your head did hit the inside pretty hard....
Maybee just replace the polystyrene instead

[FROSTY:Me]

Normally Id be saying throw the fucking lid away but in this case as long as you have decent steel capped boots to protect the brains all will be good
AYY Mikey

[Storm]

Buy a new helmet- you've seen how this one saved your swede

[bane]

Get the feeling Mikey, you'll do what you want to do, no matter what the advice... but take note of Erik's post.

[Coyote]

What model of helmet do you have Mikey? I have the CS-10 (cheapest helmet I've seen at 160 bux)

Not sure if I should be replacing it. I was pretty dazed after my last crash (seeing stars and going pale), not sure how hard I hit my head. More money to shove in the furnace that is motorcyling