Helmet question

[Kwikasfuki]

After how many years is it advisable to change your motorbike helmet? Mine is now about 5 years old. I'm asking purely from a safety aspect, as I'm not sure if the safety components have a shelf life.

[pross]

After how many years is it advisable to change your motorbike helmet? Mine is now about 5 years old. I'm asking purely from a safety aspect, as I'm not sure if the safety components have a shelf life.

some say 5 some 7 they say the go weak blah blah blah.
or is it a sales ploy

[virginiajim]

If you keep it in the fridge between ridings it lasts longer.  The foam doesn't deteriorate as fast.

[bacaruda]

For Arai i would say 2 years. After that the get all flappy around the ear area and lets all kind of crap in.

[nightrider]

I think that arai say 5 years , after that time if have had a lot of use out of it then I usually like to have a nice fresh lid on my head, any excuse to have a spend , then again you see folks with the most old decrepit smelly  fly stained scraped helmets , so it's up to you ,

[Boomer]

The shell will last until ya have a wreck. The expanded polystyrene crumple zone lasts 5 to 7 years before it starts to get brittle, or until ya have a wreck. Head hits anything, lid goes in the bin.

[Debs]

I like to change mine anytime between 3 & 5 years because the newer ones are always so much more advanced.. My next will be the Schuberth C3 Pro..

[STX1300man]

Things like linings, straps, buckles, (hinges/latches for flippy heads) are usually well past their best by 5 years in any case.

Déborah, you'll love the C3 Pro. Can't say I'm convinced by the differences for the women's version vs the smaller 'normal' range, so don't pay too much ... unless of course you really really want a pink helmet.

[Debs]

Things like linings, straps, buckles, (hinges/latches for flippy heads) are usually well past their best by 5 years in any case.

Déborah, you'll love the C3 Pro. Can't say I'm convinced by the differences for the women's version vs the smaller 'normal' range, so don't pay too much ... unless of course you really really want a pink helmet.

I already have the C3 and have seen prices of around £460 to £550 for the Pro 

[Lonewolf]

Yours is definitely in need of being changed, it looks tatty and its the same one you had when you t-boned that car isn't it?

[Kwikasfuki]

Yours is definitely in need of being changed, it looks tatty and its the same one you had when you t-boned that car isn't it?

It is but the helmet didn't touch the ground

[Rusty]

Whinny did an excellent reply to this some time ago .. from what I recall its about 5 years. Can any of you clever chaps find it and post the link ? It may have been under "Helmet Life" or even something to do with stickers on helmets ....

[beegee]

Hoy Deborah,   the c3 pro is now available here in flanders with a discount of 100 eur...

http://www.rad.eu/newsletter/ViewNewsletter.aspx?campaignid=162&passphrase=816189

[Winston Smith]

Top end lids made of composites - 5-7 years depending on use
Painted polycarb (the expensive ones like Shark etc. 3-5 years dependant on use
Unpainted poly's  - max 3 years due to sunlight / UV potentially weakening the shell

Interiors go hard over time due to oils and chemicals in skin/hair and externals and lose there ability to deform in an impact.

Wish liners or interior regularly in luke warm water and using baby shampoo and it will make it last longer.

As a rule I would say 5 years max for a normal user

[Debs]

Hoy Deborah,   the c3 pro is now available here in flanders with a discount of 100 eur...

http://www.rad.eu/newsletter/ViewNewsletter.aspx?campaignid=162&passphrase=816189

They only have medium and I'm a small