expired/outdated helmets

[Jim]

my track helmet is dated 06/06, so I'm picking up a new one this winter.

would you guys wear one past the 5 year date on the street? i was planning on using it for passengers.

it's an Arai RX-7 if that matters.

[rice_rocket]

I thought about it once when I had to get my helmet tech'ed when I was at the drag strip for my car. My helmet was indeed old, but held the correct snell certification.

I sure as heck would wear it, because I wouldn't think that the helmet took that much abuse.

I'm sure someone might know more about the manufacturing process... but I'd also hope that the foam and plastic shell would not deteriorate over time unless it did get an impact.

[CBR929RE]

I thought about it once when I had to get my helmet tech'ed when I was at the drag strip for my car. My helmet was indeed old, but held the correct snell certification.

I sure as heck would wear it, because I wouldn't think that the helmet took that much abuse.

I'm sure someone might know more about the manufacturing process... but I'd also hope that the foam and plastic shell would not deteriorate over time unless it did get an impact.

Problem with the drag strip rules are they are only looking for the certification not any kind of date.

everything deteriorates over time. sweating into the lining and anything that might have been in your hair can help contribute to the foam breaking down.


I'd probably just retire it but I don't separate my helmets for street and track. they can both be used for either so they're both within 5 years of manufacture.

[Jim]

I'd probably just retire it but I don't separate my helmets for street and track. they can both be used for either so they're both within 5 years of manufacture.

i separate my street & track gear, so I was thinking of recycling the track helmet for passengers. my street helmet still has a few years left.

[CBR929RE]

i separate my street & track gear, so I was thinking of recycling the track helmet for passengers. my street helmet still has a few years left.

you wear an expensive helmet, get the most use out of it regardless of where you're riding.

[rbrais]

my track helmet is dated 06/06, so I'm picking up a new one this winter.

would you guys wear one past the 5 year date on the street? i was planning on using it for passengers.

it's an Arai RX-7 if that matters.

Impact is what kills a helmet. The styrofoam is designed to crush to obsorb impact. It does not bounce back. The soft padding is mainly for fit and comfort rather than protection from impact.

Styrofoam lasts for hundreds of years. Fiberglass does not break down if treated properly. My Shoei RF-900 is 10 years old and is in great shape.

[Chippertheripper]

Styrofoam lasts for hundreds of years. Fiberglass does not break down if treated properly. My Shoei RF-900 is 10 years old and is in great shape.

Yeah, it'd be fine for a random shank every now and again. I think you already knew the answer to this question though...putting it on and taking it off thousand of times will compress the foams, and it'll start to loosen up eventually, then it's time for the wall of fame in the garage.

[Charlief]

I've had this conversation over and over with a friend. He is a thermoplastics engineer. He says the new materials helmets are made of will last long beyond 10 plus years. Same thing with the energy absorbing foam inside. However.....if said materials are exposed to UV light then there will be a slight breakdown/hardening of shell and foam. He says that most clears/paints on helmets protect the shell from breaking down and becoming brittle.

I get a new lid every 5-6 years. That's just me. I picked up a RF1100 earlier this year. My melon is worth the $500.

[ThisBitch]

i separate my street & track gear, so I was thinking of recycling the track helmet for passengers. my street helmet still has a few years left.

Do you really give a shit about passengers? Shit, I put mine in an HJC that's been dropped 15 times and tell them to hold on.

[CBR929RE]

Do you really give a shit about passengers? Shit, I put mine in an HJC that's been dropped 15 times and tell them to hold on to my boobs.

take me for a ride.

[Doc]

Impact is what kills a helmet. The styrofoam is designed to crush to obsorb impact. It does not bounce back. The soft padding is mainly for fit and comfort rather than protection from impact.

Styrofoam lasts for hundreds of years. Fiberglass does not break down if treated properly. My Shoei RF-900 is 10 years old and is in great shape.

I've had this conversation over and over with a friend. He is a thermoplastics engineer. He says the new materials helmets are made of will last long beyond 10 plus years. Same thing with the energy absorbing foam inside. However.....if said materials are exposed to UV light then there will be a slight breakdown/hardening of shell and foam. He says that most clears/paints on helmets protect the shell from breaking down and becoming brittle.

I get a new lid every 5-6 years. That's just me. I picked up a RF1100 earlier this year. My melon is worth the $500.

I'd love to know the real answer. Styrofoam may last forever but it does not remain in it's same state. Leave a cup out on a shelf for 5 years. I bet it gets brittle and less shock absorbing. Put some sweat, changes in temp etc and I think it will break down.

The question is will it break down enough for YOU to be worried about it.

For me, I like a new helmet every 5 years, I can afford it and I feel it is worth it.

Your mileage may vary.

That said, Jim, Just get a beanie for the skanky hos.

[DesmoTull]

My melon is worth the $500.

[ThisBitch]

Pretty sure he said more than once that it wasn't for his own personal use. So yes, Jim's head may be worth $500 (doubtful) but his passenger's head is definitely worth less.

Unless she's that Supahead chick and then its probably worth more.

[Uncle Snake]

Do you really give a shit about passengers? Shit, I put mine in an HJC that's been dropped 15 times and tell them to hold on.

Considering your new pair of "grab handles", I'd wear that HJC......

[KB]

Wear it as long as you want!

KB

[greenmonster]

I've had this conversation over and over with a friend. He is a thermoplastics engineer. He says the new materials helmets are made of will last long beyond 10 plus years. Same thing with the energy absorbing foam inside. However.....if said materials are exposed to UV light then there will be a slight breakdown/hardening of shell and foam. He says that most clears/paints on helmets protect the shell from breaking down and becoming brittle.

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Do you really give a shit about passengers? Shit, I put mine in an HJC that's been dropped 15 times and tell them to hold on to my boobs.

take me for a ride.

PM sent

[Stromper]

I get a new helmet usually shoei about every 7 years

I will be buying an rf1100 come spring

I keep the old one and lend it out when if need be

[Cambridge K]

Donated to a fire rescue in your town to learn how to take a helmet off a motorcyclist. Tax write off as well.