May be a silly question but can anyone say how often you should change your crash helmet???
I've had my present one over eight years, never been crashed, just usual wear & tear!!
There are so many different opinions on the net.
I believe for whatever reason that 5 years is meant to be about right ... Something to do with polycarbonates and sunlight, but to be honest unless you have chucked it down the cellar steps hang on to it ! :mfr_lol:
i agree with the above coment, but im sure thats for a helmet that is worn a few times per week , or maybe even every day, i replaced my last schuberths after 7 years as this 5 year rule was nagging at me, weve now got c3 's and as they only get worn once per week and spend their rest time in a dark cupboard im going to have these for at least 10 years plus, they are friggin expensive.
if you have cheapish helmet at the moment , sub £200 id change that after 5 years, but id hang onto expensive ones for longer ... just my 2 cents worth
I would say about 5-7 years for a 'quality' multi-fibre lid dependant on useage.
Plastic shells, 3-5 maximum due to sunlight, heat/cold cycles and exposure.
Don't just think shell though. The interior is subjected to your skin and hairs oil etc. which can effect the inner shell.
The polystyrene inner can become hard and lose it's ability to crush - therefore absorb impact.
It will also depend on mileage/hours worn. I swap mine (Arai/Shoei) about every 3-4 years which equates to around 30k to 50k miles.
At 8 years old, I think I would be considering a new lid.
:stupid: Its a good question and one that is frequently asked, my 7 year old Arai Viper GT fell off my bike last week and literally rolled across the car park at Devils Bridge :oops:, I'd been alternating between wearing it and my C3 which TBH is what I'd describe as an 'OK' helmet :shocked:
I've just bought a Arai Tour X4 which is a different design but gives me better vision and is very very comfy and quiet
Another good helmet seems to be the Shoei Neotec, but its pricey
Quote from: Winston Smith on June 26, 2013, 10:01:03 PM
I would say about 5-7 years for a 'quality' multi-fibre lid dependant on useage.
Plastic shells, 3-5 maximum due to sunlight, heat/cold cycles and exposure.
Don't just think shell though. The interior is subjected to your skin and hairs oil etc. which can effect the inner shell.
The polystyrene inner can become hard and lose it's ability to crush - therefore absorb impact.
It will also depend on mileage/hours worn. I swap mine (Arai/Shoei) about every 3-4 years which equates to around 30k to 50k miles.
At 8 years old, I think I would be considering a new lid.
:agree: Most people always think about the exterior of the helmet when in fact it is the intereior that is most prone to deteriate assuming you do not throw it about and generally look after it. Any moisture, even sweat, will have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the helmet interior to the extent that it can rot stiching and other material depending on the quality of the helmet. I always store my C3 in a well ventilated room to ensure that any moisture is quickly dried out and the helmet is well aired. I would suggest that if you are using a helmet that is 8 years old it is time to think seriously about getting it replaced.
"Plastic shells, 3-5 maximum due to sunlight, heat/cold cycles and exposure".
Why would anyone even CONSIDER wearing a plastic helmet ??? :no:
Deon
Until it starts to smell funny! :mfr_lol:
I put the insides of my C3 in the washing machine on a regular basis.. Keeps it all nice and clean and give the rest of the helmet inside time to breathe.. :clap: :popcorn:
I, along with Winnsworld and a few others wear a balaclava.
This absorbs all the smells/sweat and goes in the wash after a couple of days.
As for replacing lids, I replace after 5 years or after any crash, whether my head hit anything or not.
Polycarbonate shells are good for 10+ years but the limiting factor is the expanded polystyrene as stated by Winston.
A good article on helmets in general is here. At the bottom of the article is the section on when to replace.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm)
They also do some very thorough tests on a lot of helmets (USA site)
Quote from: Deon on June 27, 2013, 09:24:11 AM
"Plastic shells, 3-5 maximum due to sunlight, heat/cold cycles and exposure".
Why would anyone even CONSIDER wearing a plastic helmet ??? :no:
Deon
AGV, Shark, Caberg, Nolan, HJC, KBC along with the likes of Boxer, Viper etc all produce plastic lids as they are the cheaper end of their ranges (AGV/Nolan/Shark/HJC) or the mainstay in the case of the others.
Not all are cheap, I have a £320 Shark Evoline 3 which is a Polycarb lid.
Nothing wrong with plastic lids, they are evenly made due to the injection methods of moulding, unlike the layering of multi compsites but are heavier and more prone to chemical/sunlight damage.
Painted ones are better (and more expensive!) and to be fair most are now.
Whinny .... you are a little mine of information. :yes: :yes:
Quote from: Winston Smith on June 27, 2013, 09:16:34 PM
AGV, Shark, Caberg, Nolan, HJC, KBC along with the likes of Boxer, Viper etc all produce plastic lids as they are the cheaper end of their ranges (AGV/Nolan/Shark/HJC) or the mainstay in the case of the others.
Not all are cheap, I have a £320 Shark Evoline 3 which is a Polycarb lid.
Nothing wrong with plastic lids, they are evenly made due to the injection methods of moulding, unlike the layering of multi compsites but are heavier and more prone to chemical/sunlight damage.
Painted ones are better (and more expensive!) and to be fair most are now.
How do you find the Evoline. I have just bought one and did a longer trip with it. I love the lid but ...
I found the visor was loose and popped out of the housing;
In the rain I had a small amount of water coming down the inside of the visor and into my eye!
Is it just mine?
Quote from: simbad on June 28, 2013, 10:06:00 AM
........... and into my eye!
Is it just mine?
I would hope so, do you share your eye with others? :whistling:
Quote from: doebag on June 28, 2013, 10:09:07 AM
I would hope so, do you share your eye with others? :whistling:
Only the glass eye .... makes a great cue ball. :yes:
I have the Evoline 2 and if you keep the visor closed no water should get to the inside of the visor.
The original Evoline did suffer with a poor seal at the top of the visor.
My 2 suffers from the fact that you have to lift the visor to raise the chin piece.
The 3 sounds like it's really sorted.
On hot sunny days when cruising the country lanes I like the ability to raise the chin whilst riding, but still have the use of the sun visor and clear visor.
It still amazes me that companies like Schuberth and Arai can charge £700+ for a helmet that fares worse on the SHARP tests than a helmet that costs £200.
I guess what amazes me most is that people buy them at those prices.
A true triumph of marketing over value.
I am also amazed that the helmet manufacturers haven't gone with the Laser Revolution double-glazed visor design.
Imagine a whole visor that fogs less than with a Pinlock.
I only ever got mine to fog up around my nose in the pouring rain, after 5 years of ownership.
I'd have another one now but they stopped making them.
They were a bit heavy and noisy though.
Older polycarb lids got a bad reputation as they were made in 2 halves and welded together.
Some of the cheaper ones split in half on impact.
New Polycarbs are moulded in one piece and are as good as most other materials once you consider that a helmet is a 1 accident item.
Most accidents that will break up a polycarb lid will break your neck first.
:mfr_lol:
Some small amount of water ingress, via the upper slot for the internal visor mechanism - main visor is fine - and I find due to it's design that the VOX kicks in on the Autocom unless the bike screen is halfup (which I don't like!)
Not had any visor issues. There's a 5 year warrenty on them...
The :mfr_lol: was for thye prior post George - You posted whilst I was responding!
Thanks for all the input, all good points. best I go look for a new one.
Quote from: Winston Smith on June 27, 2013, 09:16:34 PM
AGV, Shark, Caberg, Nolan, HJC, KBC along with the likes of Boxer, Viper etc all produce plastic lids as they are the cheaper end of their ranges (AGV/Nolan/Shark/HJC) or the mainstay in the case of the others.
Not all are cheap, I have a £320 Shark Evoline 3 which is a Polycarb lid.
Nothing wrong with plastic lids, they are evenly made due to the injection methods of moulding, unlike the layering of multi compsites but are heavier and more prone to chemical/sunlight damage.
Painted ones are better (and more expensive!) and to be fair most are now.
Well, lets agree to disagree. Plastic does not shatter like a composite lid would on impact and plastic does not have a "memory". So, if impact "crushes" helmet it will stay in that shape putting pressure on the brain.
I for one, will never wear a plastic lid - because I don't have a plastic brain !! :mfr_lol:
But, it is your life, so wear what you like I suppose
Deon
Deon, if you are relying on the shell to shatter to absorb the energy then you are already dead.
On any lid the forces required to shatter the shell would kill the rider outright.
The whole point of the shell is to stay intact to contain the polystyrene foam.
It's the foam that absorbs the energy, the shell just contains the foam and provides protection in a slide and to distribute point impacts.
The only time I have ever seen a lid with exposed foam was after a 110Mph slide and he wore through the shell to expose the foam.
I have never seen a shell shatter.
As for the polycarbonate shells, polycarbonate is very rigid plastic, not to be confused with other plastics.
The windscreen on your bike is polycarb and they do shatter and they do have a memory.
People hear the word plastic and assume it's made of lemonade bottle or sandwich box plastic.
There are a lot of different plastics with VERY different properties.
Bakelite is an ancient plastic and is as rigid and brittle as cast iron.
As I said before. Let's agree to disagree.
Deon
A balaclava?? Not in this heat! :ninja:
Quote from: Ros on July 02, 2013, 02:10:22 PM
A balaclava?? Not in this heat! :ninja:
:mfr_lol: and it helps to avoid my ears rubbing on the speakers of my headset :smiley:
Totally agree with Boomer it is the inner polystyrene foam that abosorbs the energy and reduces the risk of head injuries.
Kind regards
Steve
Quote from: Boomer on July 02, 2013, 12:23:24 PM
Deon, if you are relying on the shell to shatter to absorb the energy then you are already dead.
On any lid the forces required to shatter the shell would kill the rider outright.
The whole point of the shell is to stay intact to contain the polystyrene foam.
It's the foam that absorbs the energy, the shell just contains the foam and provides protection in a slide and to distribute point impacts.
The only time I have ever seen a lid with exposed foam was after a 110Mph slide and he wore through the shell to expose the foam.
I have never seen a shell shatter.
As for the polycarbonate shells, polycarbonate is very rigid plastic, not to be confused with other plastics.
The windscreen on your bike is polycarb and they do shatter and they do have a memory.
People hear the word plastic and assume it's made of lemonade bottle or sandwich box plastic.
There are a lot of different plastics with VERY different properties.
Bakelite is an ancient plastic and is as rigid and brittle as cast iron.
Deon, you don't seem to understand the physics and mechanics of helmet construction and how they are designed to work in am=n impact or slide.
Composites don't shatter, the polycarbonate plastic doesn't shatter. The hard shell will flex, possibly break but it designed to absorb and spread the initial impact forces. The polystyrene inner does crush and absorbs more forces - quite likely it will be squashed but this effect stops the direct impact of the blow being transferred to your skull.
In a slide, the hard outer shell will slide over the ground to an extent and will only wear through due to prolonged friction wearing it away.
Helmets are designed more for impact at lower speeds or light skimming if sliding.
would you class this as a shatter ?
(http://gocharlestondeals.com/gcdwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/helmet-photo1.jpg)
That picture explains a lot, and stop licking the screen :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Coman
Quote from: coman37 on July 02, 2013, 11:04:12 PM
That picture explains a lot, and stop licking the screen :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Coman
what ?
Interesting photograph - so what was the nature of the accident/impact to casue that amount of damage?
Quote from: viper on July 02, 2013, 10:51:10 PM
would you class this as a shatter ?
(http://gocharlestondeals.com/gcdwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/helmet-photo1.jpg)
Mmmmm.... very interesting !
@Winston,
You might have convinced yourself mate, but you will never convince me. Anyway, that is what makes life interesting. We all have our different views.
Deon
You are not trying to tell us that ther was actually a head in that helmet when it was destroyed. :yawn:
I don't think anybody would have survived that and furthermore there is no blood and/or brain matter on it.
Therefore it looks more like an axe than an accident to me.
And I guess painting a helmet helps to make it shatter too. :ohplease:
With you there Mecki.
I would not say shattered in any case, that has had severe impact and it has cracked/broken/split.
Shatter would imply like glass into shards or numerous small pieces.
It would interesting to know what caused that sort of damage, particularly given there is a fairly long relatively straight/clean cut edge to some of it?
Kind regards
Steve
Steve if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say a Dewalt Stihl saw! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Deon on July 02, 2013, 10:50:16 AM
Well, lets agree to disagree. Plastic does not shatter like a composite lid would on impact and plastic does not have a "memory".
Not here to agree, disagree or otherwise. Plastic would have a memory. It will return to it's original shape or break, although the type of plastics used in helmet construction are designed not to break. A composite shell is more likely to delaminate, but in doing so will become malleable. Such design is to prevent continued pressure on skull in a severe crush impact.
Quote from: Deon on July 02, 2013, 10:50:16 AMSo, if impact "crushes" helmet it will stay in that shape putting pressure on the brain.
The polystyrene inner absorbs the impact and crushes to save the skull. This stuff has no memory and will remain crushed once its job is done. One reason for not wearing a helmet that has been dropped is that the outer shell may have bent on impact then returned to it's original shape having crushed the inner polystyrene liner. Visual inspection would not show any signs, but if another impact occurred at the same point on the helmet there would be no protection afforded to the skull
Quote from: Deon on July 02, 2013, 10:50:16 AMI for one, will never wear a plastic lid - because I don't have a plastic brain !! :mfr_lol:
But, it is your life, so wear what you like I suppose
All helmets on sale in the UK are to the required EEC standard and will do their job. Plastic or composite they are OK.
Biggest difference is finish, inner lining quality and QC in respect of construction aligned to development and research.
I am personally a fan of composite lids, lighter and usually better constructed, however plastic lids are more likely to have a consistent thickness of shell due to the more automated injection processes utilised, opposed to 'hand laid' composite layers of kevlar/fibre glass and resin etc.
I do value my head, I would always go mid to high end, but fit is more important than cost or construction bearing in mind the standards are the same whether you buy a Box or an Arai