Replace helmet how often?

What's the general consensus on how often to replace a helmet?

Obviously if it's been in any sort of crash, or dropped onto a tile floor or something, then replace immediately, but for normal use without any (known) damage?

I've heard 2-4 years, some people say 5 years? I haven't really found anyone who recommends anything much longer than 5.

Thanks!
-C

 

Snell=5 years.

So basicall my way of looking at things is .."ITS YOUR HEAD" and then again it is YOUR head not mine. 5years or after you drop it a significant distance onto hard surface like while taking it of and droping on a concrete garage floor or damage in some other way. Or if it is way lose. Don' t let other people wear your helmet.

Good luck with what you decide. Hope this helps.

 

Impact aside, I've always replaced mine after the interior gets worn out and it doesn't fit like it should.

 

How much you ride also has some bearing on it. I mean, it is all fine and dandy for Snell to say 5 years, lets say by averaging 5,000 miles a year for the sake of argument. But if you are riding every day to and from work, and you lid is exposed to the elements such as freezing, rain, heat, sun and wind blown sand, then is 5 years often enough?

BP's comment that "it's your head" just about says it all. I say inspect the helmet regularly. Wear and tear showing up. Buy a new lid. If you have worn it enough that the linings have worn thin and no longer fits snug, why chance things by replacing the liner. For another couple hundred bucks, get a new lid.

We seem to get all excited and orgasmic about the add on's for our rides, and all the "neat" things, yet many of us neglect the single most important piece of equipment we have. Our helmets. I am on my third since August 06.

 

+1 @randee

 

the general saying from the manufacturers is 5 years, that is what I generally go by

they say shorter if you store your lid in your garage with lots of solvents, as their aromas can break down the foam inside your lid, rendering it leass able to absorb the energy in an accident

 

This one time... I left my helmet overnight in my buddy's meth lab and when I went back to get it, the visor was melted. :crazy:

 

If you have a good helmet eg Shoei / Arai, use it moderately eg 5000kms per year and store it in a dry cupboard and plexus it regularly the main restriction would be the foam inside, the foam inside should retain its crash integrity approx 7 years if not exposed to eg solvents.

 

Thanks everyone. I do a lot of short-trip, commuter style riding, so my annual mileage is probably more like 8,000 or 8,500 I'd guess. I just replaced my HJC, partly because I decided I didn't care for it all that much as well as because it was starting to show a fair number of nicks and scratches and general wear.

I replaced it with an HJC CL-16, which seems like a pretty good value for the money. It's not a Shoei, but I didn't really have $500 to put down on something I hope never to use when the HJC meets the same safety standards. (My previous HJC was one of the ones with the flip-up chin bar, but I decided that I didn't care for that as much as I had thought I would. And then eventually the little plastic latch-release tab in the front broke off, making it quite difficult to open. It turns out that it's somewhat difficult to put on and take off without opening it, so - I don't think I'll be getting any more of those.)

 

I used the HJC CL-16 I like it...of course I am a riding HJC billboard...jacket pants helmet... I have the slayer which one did you get?

I have had it since july 2010, I like it its a bit noisy but ear plugs kill that right awayand the weight I found is good.. I have a pretty strong neck so the helmet weight doesn't bother me

( I wear a stainless steel helmet on the weekends that weighs around 10 lbs )

 

If you have your helmet on but not done up and shake your head. The helmet should move exactly with your head. If it doesn't its not the right size or worn out. One thing you will never keep off the ground in a big off is your noggin. You can live without a lot of body parts, but not your head.
Like changing your oil, or putting the air in your tyres, it really is not a time thing. When it needs it, it should be done. Usually in most cases, more often that it's done.

 

previous thread

http://vfrworld.com/forums/general-vfr-discussions/26454-helmet-age.html

 

I shoot for 3 years personally. I find that even if im not dropping it on the concrete or anywhere at all, i still see dings / nicks / scratches / etc show up. After 3 years I figure it's time to turn around and replace.

 

Ok- I'm gonna ask- what is that on your head in your avatar pic? :smile:

 

LOL :biggrin:

It's just a jester hat

 

depending on the rest of the helmet, and age it might not make sense, or be what you would want to do, and brand, of course, but with some helmets you can buy and replace things like linings and pads and such

 

up to you of course, and I am a BIG fan of erriring on the side of safety by all means, but minor dings and scratches should not affect the safety of the helmet. Some of the high end manufactures, like Arai for instance also offer an inspection service. Where you can send them your helmet and they will inspect it to see if it still meets standards. I have heard, but have no personal or even direct knowledge that people send in the helmets, and if it doesn't meet standards they don't send the helmet back, since it isn't safe to wear in their eyes, this upsets some people who aren't prepared to buy a new one just yet and would like to continue to wear the only one in the meantime.

 

Don't know about Shoei, but at least with Arai, their recomendation is that with proper storage you should replace it after 5 years. Although who knows, that may just be in the US or soemthing. The foam is still going to get some compression, minor to be sure, but over hundreds of wearings, just from taking it on and off and wearing it. The exposure to the fumes just when you are riding. Your sweat can be pretty rough on the helmet too, hair product chemicals if you use them. I don't think plexus useage is going to affect service life, except for keeping it clean.

 

There are those who reside in or are from certain regions of this planet, that due to their routine diet, should probably change their helmets more often. And keep the face shield down when talking to others.