Helmet replacement?

[Bob]

Spraycan? I'm guessing you are joking, right?

Depending on the solvents etc in the paint, you could be turning your helmet into something about as protective as eggshell (and I don't mean the colour)!

As for the track, I'd guess they are protecting themselves from a legal standpoint as well.

Although the rule of thumb as I understand it is replace every 5 years - reason being that sunlight etc causes a gradual chemical reaction that weakens the integrity of the materials.

As someone else said, if you have an accident (on the bike, wearing the helmet of course), then you should cut the straps off the helmet, give it to your local accident training people (don't know if you have a volunteer ambulance force like our St. Johns Ambulance) for practicing treating bikers and buy yourself a new one. As has been said here, the inner layer (which is the bit that saves your brain from being smashed about) will compact, meaning that the protection it provides is reduced, possibly even negated.

I know when I've hit the floor due to some dumb car driver, I have claimed the cost of a new lid as part of the process... and bought one.

Dropping it from a short height? Personally I don't think I'd be over worried, as long as the outer shell wasn't cracked in any way, as the inner wouldn't have been compacted - but then I've never dropped one, so I can't say what my reaction would be. If it was from 10 foot or something, I think the lid would hit the bin/get given to the training people and I'd buy a new one.

As for new ones, I love my Arai RV (which is in plain black - think I want a white one next time... psyche out car drivers if nothing else), but if I can't afford one, I'll go for something cheaper that fits and is comfortable.

As long as it has the correct safety stickers, it will do the job of protecting your head - it just won't be as good at other things like being quiet, not misting up every time the temperature drops below boiling point and so on.

In the UK (not sure about anywhere else), I believe the only helmets allowed on the road without the relevent EU/BSA approved stickers are the old cork-lined ones... but I think you have to be able to show that you were the original purchaser/owner!

[F5 Dave]

Just to clear it up YES I WAS JOKING

Just in the bad old days Bikies (gang members) after the law changed begrudgingly donned helmets, but took the visors off them, pulled the lining out (including the polystyrene, maybe it interfered with their hairstyle?) & painted them matt black. ‘cause it’s tough!

I wonder if any of them ever tried the original helmet (in secret of course) & thought, ‘Ooohh, this is comfy’ “& I can see where I am going & it’s warmer with this visor’.

[Jess]

the idea of some 'tough' ol' harley rider giving in to his softer side and enjoying a nice comfy helmet is amusing - would be even more fun to catch one of them at it...