5 year Helmet rule

[imkindafkedup]

How many of you follow the 5 year helmet rule for your street helmet? I ask because I'm coming up on my 5th year of the manufacture date in May. I've only used the helmet for 3 years, and I don't ride very often unfortunately. I'm thinking I'm still going to use it but am curious to know what others do. If I wore it more often and I could see wear on the inside I'd be more inclined to replace it, but the thing still looks and even smells new on the inside.

[Pigman]

Nope, doesn't mean shit only if you are Racing....a helmet can be old and still provide the same safety as a new, of equal standards.

[rbrais]

This has been covered before, but I'm too lazy to search. I think the tech answer was that newer helmet materials last much longer, although excessive sweat can decrease life. So I guess if you don't ride much, the helmet looks like it is in good condition and you haven't landed on your head to damage the styrofoam...run-it.

[Billy]

In the same boat. Helmet will be 5 years old this fall. Never been down with it and it's in perfect condition from what I can tell. I think I'm just going to keep it.

[rbrais]

Mine's 10 years old now. Still looks new. Think I'm going to wash it soon.

[Jim]

my track helmet hits the 5 year limit in June. I'm going to be using it as a passenger helmet for street riding.

[DesmoTull]

I follow the 5yr rule, for sure.

[NeverlosT]

my lid is 5 years old this year, getting a new one, will use the old one as a spare or to loan to friends. I doubt I can use it for a passenger helmet, since only ladeez will be riding on the back of my bike and they usually take a small lid!

[bostongixxer]

If you are going to run a trackday, you better make sure you meet the rule....or at least check with the trackday provider. Some won't let you run if it's expired.

[camhabib]

I've always followed the 5 year rule for all my helmets (bicycle, car, etc). While it may not have been in any major accident, minor bumps and knocks, degradation of material, and so forth. Just not worth it in the end.

[DuncanMoto]

Arai states helmets should be replaced 7 years after manufacture date, or 5 years after purchase and use, whichever comes first.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to try on a 10 year helmet that I had tried on about 10 years ago as well.
The foam inside was ROCK hard.

Use your best judgement and remember... A concussion costs more than a quality new helmet.

[DesmoTull]

Arai states helmets should be replaced 7 years after manufacture date, or 5 years after purchase and use, whichever comes first.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to try on a 10 year helmet that I had tried on about 10 years ago as well.
The foam inside was ROCK hard.

Use your best judgement and remember... A concussion costs more than a quality new helmet.

Thanks for the input Ted. Another thing to keep in mind... don't rest your helmet on top of the gas tank filler cap. The off gassing of the fuel will degrade the foam.

[rbrais]

Thanks for the input Ted. Another thing to keep in mind... don't rest your helmet on top of the gas tank filler cap. The off gassing of the fuel will degrade the foam.

Never thought of that. Hmmm....an excuse to get a new helmet....

[averagejoe]

Nope, doesn't mean shit only if you are Racing....a helmet can be old and still provide the same safety as a new, of equal standards.

That is pretty funny. So you think that a street rider will not hit anything as hard as a road racer? Really!? A road racer seems likely to slide for a while, maybe a blunt impact, he is not likely to have to worry about anything like a guardrail, or a car, trees, rocks, etc. And to think that something that is 5+ years old is just as protective as something new. Wow, seems pretty ignorant to me. The energy absorbing properties of a helmet are done by a styrofoam, it compresses and breaks down with time and use. Find a friend that has put his on his mirror, look behind the liner and see how bad he has degraded that helmet. Take a styrofoam cooler, put it in your garage and tell me what is left of it in 4-5 years, of non-use. Now take one and add some shampoo, gel, or other hair chemical to it. Think there will be much left to do anything with? I doubt it.
But hey, maybe your head isn't worth much.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

This is less than 5 years old, and I could be persuaded to give a hell of a deal!

[Nikon]

uv rays effect the shell also

[DoubleRGirl]

my understanding is that regardless of use, there are environmental factors that break down the materials in the helmet (as stated above, uv rays breaking down the shell)