Helmet lifespan?

[HEsch]

How long would you anticipate a helmet to last, sans crashes or impact?

Do you replace on a time schedule (ie, every 5 years), or kms travelled (I don't know, but, maybe 25 or 50,000kms?). Or use some other form of measurement to determine a new one is needed?

[mulletman]

When its not snug anymore, if you find that your tightning the chin strap more than you used to and it feels still a bit slack around the brain bucket its time, also wind noise picks up.

[george formby]

IMHE the glue holding the polystyrene in place becomes brittle and the padding / polystyrene starts to break down.

If a helmet is not in daily use and kept somewhere ambient they seem to last a few years without degrading.

Regular use, a sweaty scone and UV break them down quicker.

Carefully check strap mounting points, buckles etc for any sign of corrosion.

As said, if the fit is getting a little sloppy then safety is being compromised.

[slofox]

I swapped pads on one helmet. That fixed it pretty well. For a while.

I tend to get chary at about 5 years meself - although I have that number on no authority at all.

[HenryDorsetCase]

LOL I had a couple of Shoei Raid 2's and one of them when I checked it was from 2005. The "good" replacement (which I was still wearing up to last week) was dated 2006. Yeah, I've been shopping. I really wanted a Bell but they don't fit me for shit.

I may go for an Arai if I can find the right one at the right price but the current front runner is a Shoei .... errr.... RPHA I think its called.

Most of the time I wear my faux German WW2 helmet though, with one of those protective bandanas. Because badass.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I swapped pads on one helmet. That fixed it pretty well. For a while.

I tend to get chary at about 5 years meself - although I have that number on no authority at all.

Yeah - everyone "knows" you should replace your helmet at 5 years, but no one can give a definitive answer.

[malcy25]

but the current front runner is a Shoei .... errr.... RPHA I think its called.

HDC

Lol, RPHA is a version of HJC helmets.....I'm on my second RPHA11, Love it. First one only lasted part way through it's second race meeting....oops!

Love the fit, venting the dark visor that comes OEM as well as the clear one fitted.

[caspernz]

As others have already posted, anywhere from 3-5 years is a guide. Strictly speaking that's from date of manufacture, small sticker on inside back of helmet will usually reveal that.

If in daily use, you'll be lucky to get 5 years. If in all day daily use, 18-24 months and it gets biffed.

The full speech is available upon attendance at a Ride Forever course near you......ask that Blackbird fella for recommendations on instructors haha

[Blackbird]

The full speech is available upon attendance at a Ride Forever course near you......ask that Blackbird fella for recommendations on instructors haha

Sigh........

[AllanB]

It's a interesting question as for years it has been a unsupported 5 years. Then I noticed a while back Arai advertising in magazines a five year warranty. Which implies they think the helmet will outlast the warranty?

[caspernz]

Sigh........

OK then sir, you can tell her who to avoid perhaps?

[Blackbird]

OK then sir, you can tell her who to avoid perhaps?

Me?

[FJRider]

It's a interesting question as for years it has been a unsupported 5 years. Then I noticed a while back Arai advertising in magazines a five year warranty. Which implies they think the helmet will outlast the warranty?

No doubt conditions will apply ...

[SaferRides]

It's a interesting question as for years it has been a unsupported 5 years. Then I noticed a while back Arai advertising in magazines a five year warranty. Which implies they think the helmet will outlast the warranty?

Arai and Shoei both give either a 5 year warranty from purchase or 7 years from manufacture, whichever is shorter. The lifetime of a helmet will be quite different, depending on all sorts of factors.

I bought a NOS Shoei X Spirit a few years ago that was about 5 years old. It had been in a warehouse all of that time, and still had a new helmet smell. I'm sure it would have lasted nearly as long as a brand new one but was damaged in a crash after a year.

[nerrrd]

Arai and Shoei both give either a 5 year warranty from purchase or 7 years from manufacture, whichever is shorter. The lifetime of a helmet will be quite different, depending on all sorts of factors.

I bought a NOS Shoei X Spirit a few years ago that was about 5 years old. It had been in a warehouse all of that time, and still had a new helmet smell. I'm sure it would have lasted nearly as long as a brand new one but was damaged in a crash after a year.

Bell also offer a five year warranty. I bought a 'new' 2014 Bell RS-1 recently online at a generous discount that must have been sitting on a shelf all that time, was in 'as new' condition and I'd be happy to wear it for several years. I wonder how many people check the age of the helmets they buy 'new' from a store.