New helmet after its 5 years old LAW.

[bugjuice]

most lids have a month/year stamp, or some sort of code or batch code. It's just if the codes make sense. But every lid should have some form of ID on it

[Beemer]

I replaced my helmet last year after seven years - but during those years I wasn't riding every day or even every week at times so the 'old' helmet is still in very good condition.

The padding had worn, of course - it wasn't loose or dangerous but the helmet wasn't as snug as it was in the beginning. It felt fine until I bought the new one and then I realised how lovely that was compared to the old one!

If it had ever received any hard knocks or had been in an accident, it would have been replaced no matter what age it was.

[Ixion]

do you think the weather would affect the composites of plastic, fibre glass and CF helmets at different rates? Plastic ones are the first to go, without doubt (for a 5 year stint), but would FG and CF last longer? Not saying don't replace them, but just saying that they would be more durable over that period

I don't believe the "deteriorates after 5 years regardless" thing for fibreglass. It is correct for the "plastic" lids (Polycarbonate is it ?) but the fibreglass ones, no. Otherwise there ould be an awful lot of sinking glass boats around. My old FFM Mach1 (which was my spare for years, so it never got used) is still in good nick, and used for commuting.

[bugjuice]

yeah, good point!

[Lou Girardin]

It's not just the shell that deteriorates, the interior absorbs sweat and other greebies, the foam loses it's energy absorbtion, the padding compresses and the fit gets loose.
Besides, a helmets requirements are a bit different to boats.

[terbang]

When my helmets are done and I replace them I cut the straps off them to stop them from remaining in service..

[Ixion]

It's not just the shell that deteriorates, the interior absorbs sweat and other greebies, the foam loses it's energy absorbtion, the padding compresses and the fit gets loose.
Besides, a helmets requirements are a bit different to boats.

True, but those are only going to happen if a helmet is in use. I agree that a helmet should be replaced once it is tired and worn. But I'm not convinced that a fibreglass helmet (eg a spare one) that is unused deteriorates just in storage

[SVrunner]

I replace when they get slooppy, usually every 18 months as I use it every day.

[Motu]

It's not just the shell that deteriorates, the interior absorbs sweat and other greebies, the foam loses it's energy absorbtion, the padding compresses and the fit gets loose.
Besides, a helmets requirements are a bit different to boats.

Well bugger me! And here's me thinking that as my leathers shrunk my head was too! I thought I was going to end up a pin head,nice to know I'm as bigheaded as ever!

[Bonez]

I'm quite fond of my smelling ol FFM bean protector. Thinking about getting a new pudding basin helmet to replace it with, honest.

[Pancakes]

I think there has been too much emphasis put on "5 years" in this thread. Plastics deteriorate natually in any environment, this includes resins used to hold glass and carbon lids together. They all start as liquids and set (or dry) into solids. They will keep setting or drying out for their whole life as the volatile components keep drying out making the helmet more brittle and less flexible. Variations in the environment can accellerate this and the biggies I'm aware of are solvents (even a "closed" petrol container in the same storage area), UV exposure and ozone (got a fridge or freezer in the garage? Near your helmet and tyres even for that matter?) Obviously this isn't the super scientific lowdown but you get the idea. I am a qualified rock climbing instructor and have been involved in indepth rope testing. So what? Rockclimbing ropes are made from a combination of plastics exposed to the elements and most importantly they are the sole thing, in most cases stopping you dying in a fall. When you go for a ride you don't bin it every time but most climbers fall at least once a day while out climbing and often a few times on each route tried in a day. The rope stops the climber dying by being strong, not brittle during a fall and absorbing impacts by retaining its supple, flexible qualities JUST LIKE A HELMET.

Sorry this was a freekin novel but I haven't been on for ages and it's all pent up! He he he!

[FROSTY:Me]

Folks I'm thinking postie is getting mixed up with the racing rules.
MNZ doesn't put an age limit as such on our helmets.
They just every year require out helmets to display standards stickers.
The standard required is updated every year(?) so the effect is in reality the lid can't be more than 5 years old.
I think somewhere in the road rules it does say smething about -You must wear an aproved motorcycle helmet --Ie no turbans,tophats,riggers helmets or bicycle helmets

[bugjuice]

nah, he's not got it mixed up with racing. It was from what someone told him when they were stopped by the fuzz.. i think..

[inlinefour]

Do we have to provide proof of how old the helmet is? We just get a fine if they think its older? I'd like to see a copper try to give me a ticket for this shyte as I'd drag their arse through the media to proove a point. It never amases me how many laws that are out there but not made appartent to the public. If we are not informed of such laws, why do the authorities expect us to comply with them?

[pritch]

If we are not informed of such laws, why do the authorities expect us to comply with them?

When I was going to Tech in Wellington in the early 70s we were told that there were over 7,000 laws in this country . Parliament have been making them flat out ever since and unless you are gay, or a prostitute, or both, you will not have noticed too many being repealed.

God knows how many there are now, but ignorance of the law is no excuse...