How long does a helmet last?

[Busa Jules]

My husband and I had this discussion this weekend... I think he just wants a new lid!

Our helmets are now about 3 years old (Fulmers I think). They've never been dropped or had any hard impacts. How long are they good for?

I have a dirt bike helmet that is almost 10 years old that I still ride with occasionally. (I know it's probably not any good.... but it keeps my head covered)

Just wondering

[BigBSBusa]

Insurance company says they are good for 5 years.

[Mr Bogus]

Wow, never even considered this over the years, just always got tired of my lids and replaced them....

Found on SMF.org site: (and it mirrors just about every helmet makers suggestions)

<div class="iF-Passage"><div class="QUOTEHEAD">Quote:</div><div class="QUOTE clearfix"><span class="quoteBegin"> </span>
Replacing Your Helmet

by: Ed Hunter

How often should you replace your helmet?

You know that smelly old thing that you have been wearing for years. Just got comfortable, didn't it.

First some background: I work for the SNELL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION as a Lab Technician testing helmets. This means I have some knowledge about helmet testing and standards, plus access to helmet test equipment.

For years now when people find out where I work, one of the first questions asked is "how long do helmets last"? In an attempt to answer the question, I asked my riding friends to give me their old helmets for testing. The procedure used was to identify each helmet's original test standard because it would be unreasonable to expect a helmet certified in 1970 to withstand the impacts required by the 2000 standard. For SNELL certified helmets this was easy. Each certified helmet contains a sticker indicating the standard. For non certified helmets, I used the standard that was in effect at the time of manufacture. Although there are other helmet standards in the world, I tested all helmets to the applicable SNELL standard. The helmets were rigorously tested, but the exercise was informal because there was no control group of helmets and no attempt to ascertain the treatment each helmet had received over the years. Since 1996, I tested 26 different helmets representing 8 different manufacturers. The oldest helmet was certified to the SNELL 1962 standard and the newest had a 1990 SNELL sticker.

What!
You want to know the results of all this testing?

Over half of the helmets were able to pass the test prescribed by the original standard.

No, I will not identify those that passed or failed.

What does it all mean? I think it means that the recommendation of many manufacturers to replace your helmet every five years is as good as any. I believe helmets left in the box, on the shelf will last a long, long time. Of course, they won't provide you much protection while you're out riding and they're setting on the shelf. There are at least three things to keep in mind when considering whether to purchase a new helmet; one, how has the helmet been treated; two, how far have the standards advanced; and three, how does it smell. [/quote]

I also found info that said 3 years or (and this would relate to previous threads about dropping your lid) any helmet that has been dropped from more than "knee" height. They cited UV damage, along with liner, adhesive degradation over time.

Without being overly paranoid, sounds to me like 5 years (without any drops) should be a good number..

I personally would not shy away from a longer period on my buckets as they get alternated and no longer see the abuse of the southwest sun/heat..

Now I have to go look at production dates in my lids.....

[solarbarack]

Hmm thats something I never even considered. I always end up getting a new one before that anyway.

[Gunnybusa]

I think it will verry with the amount of time it's on your head and out in the sun, I get a new one every two years thats with over 100 miles a day of riding and teaching 20hrs of MSF on the weekends. I do take it apart and clean it often to keep that oh so fresh feelling.

[heavybusa]

good info

[Wag]

I was going to say three years. I've had mine just over three years and believe it or not, it doesn't seem to fit my bean as tightly as it once did. I dunno. I'm thinking about it, though.

--Wag--

[BigBSBusa]

Reference my comment above about 5 years, when I was going through the negotiation with the insurance company to settle on Baby J we talked about replacing gear. They told me sure they would replace the helmet, but it would only be on a prorated basis of when I bought it. Since I bought the helmet in '04, I only got 60% (20% per year) of the value because of the 2 year life expectancy they calculated it to have remaining. Guess that goes along with what the helmet replacement article says.

[jay21112]

This is helmet 101 here (if there is such a thing).

5 years lifspan without accident.

After 5 years the shock absorbing capacity of the helmet has declined to a point that it should no longer be worn.

In essence your helmet is a big piece of styrofoam-like material that degrades over time. Once it degrades (or deforms) it no longer deforms (read as absorb force) on impact, and now your skull is free to deform on impact.

That is why the certifications are good for 5 years on helmets, and a new certification comes out every 5 years. (Dot 2000, 2005, 2010, etc..).

[05 Busa LE]

I think your husband needs a new helmet

[Busa Jules]

Sounds good to me.... I need a smaller lid. I never realized how poorly mine fit until I started drag racing and it tried to fly off of my head. Hmmm.... now the search begins.....

[Busasweety]

my helmet is 2yrs old now and part way thru this yr I noticed it felt loose, I took some 1/4 foam strips and positioned them in key area....now it feels new....I agree with 3-4 yr to replace, but the inside liner pads seem to breakdown faster than the helmet....CAUSE all that ridin !!!!!

[Ramair1]

wrong post oops

[Lurch]

Jules, You and Doc need new helmets.

[BUSANAS]

I cant seem to throw away my old lids, any ideas on what to do with ones that are no longer worn, maybe I should become a helmet artist and create some abstract sculpture...

[Schism]

i'm in that spot right now and i'm having a tough time choosing the right one. i really love my arai quantum f which is atleast 5yrs old ,but my wallet can only spring $300 which won't cut it for a new one.

[Rollaj]

Wow my helmet is probably 10 years old and at least 30k miles...
That's lots of bug damage.

Guess I should show this thread to my financial adviser (wife) and get us both new helmets.

[trekfuel]

when the lining falls out and you cant stand the smell. If i lived as far south as you it would likely be yearly.

Need a great deal on a New Arai myself.....

[LeDauz]

never thought about this but I figure go with a new one when ever u got the cash and see one you cant live without other than that every few years depend on what hits it or what it hits

[majestic12]

I still have mine after 9 Years. I don't get to ride year round though and any drop damage happens on the mirrored visor, $35 an oops. I am in the market for a new one Shoei RF1000, large. I think mine might be a little too small.