I heard you should replace your helmet every 2 years no matter what.... its becasue of the impact absorbing foam inside... it gos bad after awhile.

agree or disagree?

What about other stuff, like gloves, footwear, etc? Should I just wait for it to wear out probably?

 

bullshite

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The_Head &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I heard you should replace your helmet every 2 years no matter what.... its becasue of the impact absorbing foam inside... it gos bad after awhile.

agree or disagree?

What about other stuff, like gloves, footwear, etc? Should I just wait for it to wear out probably?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats the rumor on helmets, Ive heard every 5 years.the rest of your gear, wear it till its warn out.

 

As far as helmets go, do you replace them 5 years from the date of manufacture of the date of purchase?

I have two Arais that were made in 02 and 03, and they were bought in 04. Do I replace them when I've been wearing them for 5 years, or do I go strictly by the manufacturer's date?

 

I replace mine when they get destroyed.

Otherwise, like my old college books, since I'll never get close to what I paid for 'em, I'll be keeping them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Otherwise, like my old college books, since I'll never get close to what I paid for 'em, I'll be keeping them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I kept all my old college books too.

 

I keep them till they get bounced off the pavement as well. No sense in replacing what's not broken.

 

I'm surprised people aren't more knowledgeable about what they protect their brain with. Actually, I take that back, I'm not surprised.

If anyone is running an M95, you should seriously consider replacing. You won't catch me with anything older than 5 years on my head. It's not worth a couple hundred bucks to take the chance that foam is still in optimal shape after much longer than that. All those little dings and bumps your helmet gets does effect the foam, despite what people want to believe, and they add up. Not to mention that leaps and bounds are made in technology that makes a 5 year old helmet old news.

FYI - Most manufacturers say 2-4 years but people will probably claim they just want your money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
FYI - Most manufacturers say 2-4 years but people will probably claim they just want your money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Those greedy businessmen


Remember, somebody else is only as greedy as you are stupid.

Your head, folks.

I raced bicycles for years and we used to have a saying: "Five doller head? Five dollar helmet."

 

Helmets get gross too...well i guess it depends how you ride. My helmets are NASTY inside after about 3 years, so then its time to ditch it and get a new one. I know I could always remove the padding inside and wash it, thats why you spend $700-$800 on a helmet but thats way to much work...and like stated, they do break down inside after a few years.

 

5 years

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by icedmocha &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">5 years </TD></TR></TABLE>

From date of manufacture, or from when you start using them?

 

i would think from Manufacturer born on date. Cause u can buy a Brand New helmet in 2005 and the Helmet has been collecting dust in a warehouse somewhere and it was manufactured in 1999. Spending a few hundred dollars every 2 years aint that bad consdering its protecting your head.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">From date of manufacture, or from when you start using them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Manufacture. Think of the foam as milk, its shelf life is far more related to the passing of time than use.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trbo823 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would think from Manufacturer born on date. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. The foam starts to break down whether you use the helmet or not.

Now, has anyone here actually gotten rid of their helmet after dropping it on the pavement, or having it fall off the bike?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The_Head &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I agree. The foam starts to break down whether you use the helmet or not.

Now, has anyone here actually gotten rid of their helmet after dropping it on the pavement, or having it fall off the bike?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I haven't had either happen but my neighbor sent his helmet off to the manufacturer for inspection after his friend's daughter dropped it from about 5'. I would be hesitant to trash it outright but I would also be hesitant to ride with it. If the helmet wasn't that old I would see about getting it inspected but if it was towards the end of it's life I would probably retire it.

 

I'll be replacing mine after an off I had two weeks ago, it's second.

I don't think it touched the ground either time, and there's no evidence on the helmet's surface to suggest it, but I'd rather play it safe.

And the replacement is going to be so bling that you f00l$ won't know what to do!

 

What sort of off was it?

Both of my Arais have had some contact with the ground since I bought them.

 

If they've had any contact with the ground from higher than 3 feet you should look into getting them inspected by Arai.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If they've had any contact with the ground from higher than 3 feet you should look into getting them inspected by Arai.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yikes what does that cost?

 

Notice I said "look into"... because it varies by manufacturer. I believe most of the reputable companies do it for free, you just have to pay shipping.

via arai.com

Like most major helmet manufacturers, Arai subscribes to the Snell Memorial Foundation benchmark of five years as the suggested usable lifespan of a motorcycle helmet. Why? Think of a helmet in terms of your body. No matter how good it may look, or how well you take care of it, age still takes its toll. Even with minimal use, a helmet is affected by things like the acids and oils in sweat, haircare products, pollution, exposure to UV rays, etc. At about the five-year mark, helmet interiors begin to show wear and/or deterioration, which should serve as an alert to its overall condition. The helmet's fit may begin to feel a little "loose", not as snug as it once did. This unseen aging and deterioration of the EPS liner and fiberglass shell can affect the helmet's ability to perform in an impact as it was originally designed. If a helmet suffers an impact and any doubt exists as to its further ability to protect, it should either be returned to the manufacturer for competent inspection or discarded and replaced.

 

This is also why I would not buy a used helmet.

 

While looking for Arai's inspection policy I noticed that they do not warranty any helmets bought via mail order or the internet because they guarantee that it hasn't been abused (while in the box).

I did see that Shoei will inspect for free.

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/replacementFI.html

 

Chris, my white Arai fell off my tank. My black Arai was on my head during an incident, but as far as I could tell I did not land on my head.

I guess I shoul send them both in and see for sure.

 

Think of the money as insurance for your brain... and probably the cheapest insurance someone your age will get.

I would keep all receipts for the black one for reimbursement.