When to replace your Helmet.

Does anybody know if an Arai dealer will be at the Rally?

"The Service Pavillion" is scheduled to be there.

I vote for you looking fo a new one soon. In my MSF course, the instructor addressed this issue by asking people to remember those old white strofoam coolers everyone used to have. How many people saw those self-disintegrate over time. Well many helmets have a similar type foam. While not exactly the same, you get the idea. The helmets age over time.

So do like others have said. Donate it to MSF classes, hospitals, EMS groups, whomever. But get a new one for your head every so many years.

Ride safe everyone. And I thank you all for contributing to this great forum.

I don't think there has been a head injury that has been blamed on a Old Helmet

BCKRIDER said:

I bet the riders who wear "beanie" helmets NEVER replace them! After all, how can time reduce the zero protection they offered when new?

Click to expand...

Odd, my beanie helmet saved my life when I got hit.





As to replacement, 5 years is the maximum you want to go. If you wear a helmet regularly, you'll compress the foam over time and compromise the fit. As much as I ride, I've never had a helmet fit right after about 2 years.

Just bought a decade-plus old fancy bell star helmet, new in box. Wore it on a commute last week. (evidently older helmets do well in high pressure clean air, but make more noise than a harrier in low pressure dirty air). Placed helmet on seat. When I returned, the entire thin gray foam layer, the veneer between the styrofoam and the plush terry liner that touches your head, had detached and lay in a pile on the seat. Evidently that's the weak (age) link on a bell star. Going to replace and reglue.

I'm surprised that it's intact. The foam in my 40 yr old Super Magnum turned to dust.

I think this was nearly dust. No piece bigger than an inch. Actual business-end foam in same condition as more modern helmets. But the wispy cosmetic stuff was done.

Unless stored in a NASA-grade darkened, air-tight vacumn chamber, the styrofoam that cushions your head from within when you crash will become stiff (hardens) over time - may even start to powder.

After 5-7 years past manufacture date - replace.