Is my helmet still safe?

[jorge84]

I'd be more worried about the ten cent piece embedded in your helmet just next to that wee chip

[hayd3n]

looks fine to me , but then again im no helmet salesman

[pritch]

If a helmet was rended unsafe after a free fall of 70cm, why would you expect it to protect you in a 100kph impact?

The answer to your question is that the outer shell of a helmet is designed to absorb shock in a similar manner to an egg shell; it works once - and once only. Having hit concrete from a height there is no knowing whether the shell has retained its integrity or not. Time to change, the guy was probably right.

Unwise to park a helmet on a bike seat because of this.

Arai give a five year guarantee, I'm quite happy to use them for that. I had a BMW helmet, nothing wrong that I could see, but it was way past its use by date so out it went. Similarly with the Shoei that I was wearing when I hit the deck, it had road rash so it had to go.

A work colleague once asked me where he could get a helmet really cheap.
I gave him the usual spiel, "If you've got a ten dollar head, wear a ten dollar helmet."
"It's not for me, it's for the missus."
Oh, that's OK then

[nerrrd]

The answer to your question is that the outer shell of a helmet is designed to absorb shock in a similar manner to an egg shell; it works once - and once only. Having hit concrete from a height there is no knowing whether the shell has retained its integrity or not. Time to change, the guy was right.

You might like to take a look at this video (also posted above), the gentleman from Arai appears to disagree with you on this point (starts aroung 7:15 I think), dunno maybe it's Arai specific.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovd3KGu...%3DOvd3KGu6BgU

But I guess a new helmet is probably still the only way to be 100% sure.

[bosslady]

I'd keep using it, personally.

[haydes55]

I vote to keep using it. Although in my experience with dirt helmets with chips, the clear coat peels off around it easily and I'm sure the UV damages it further over time.

Although it might just be more dirt sand blasting the chip that made it worse?

Either way she'll be right but start saving for a new one cause I wouldn't trust it after UV damage or if the chip starts growing.

[Berries]

Several comments about helmets should be replaced every two years. Why then does my $700 HJC come with a 5 year warranty?

I hear you. My marriage was for life. What the fuck is all that about?

[pritch]

You might like to take a look at this video (also posted above), the gentleman from Arai appears to disagree with you on this point (starts aroung 7:15 I think), dunno maybe it's Arai specific.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovd3KGu...%3DOvd3KGu6BgU

But I guess a new helmet is probably still the only way to be 100% sure.

That was interesting. It may be a Snell testing thing rather than an Arai thing, the Snell testing regime required a stiffer shell than others.
There was considerable discussion about this on the Web.

Also, I thought the Arai rep's comments re paint were informative. The Arai has a fibreglass shell, some of the helmets with plastic shells used to be accompanied by advice that no paint or stickers be applied. Solvents could degrade the plastic over time.

Still, I don't think I'll park the helmet on the seat.