How many km's do you put on a helmet??

LoneRonin

LoneRonin

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People always ask this of bikes, but what what about your helmets? Unless they get damaged how long do you rock your helmet before retiring it? I love my helmet and its very hard to get another like it, I'm trying to hunt one down online...

Looking at my helmet though even after 50k+ km its looking good. Just about every part can be replaced to have it feeling like new after its worn. I plan on keeping this helmet and potentially getting an exact same second one. Shoei needs to come out with some nicer graphics for me to upgrade...
 
Mine are usually only good for a few meters on the pavement then they start to wear through. After that I go buy a new one.:(
 
Wait... You can put kms on helmets...?

I would assume that the time to get a new helmet is when the padding wears out and wearing it becomes uncomfortable.
 
Wind erosion is the real issue ;-)

Seriously, the "recommended" useful lifetime of a helmet is often quoted at 5 years kind of like tires. Materials degradation seems to be the major reason. Now whether this is just a marketing gimmick dreamed up by the motorcycle safety industry... You be the judge.
 
ok, for you guys who can't figure it out.

km's on helmet= seat time= how long you've been wearing the damn thing

Theres a difference between a 5 year old helmet with 60k vs a 5 year old helmet with 20k. So, how long is it you find yourselves keeping the same one?

I've heard some guys say they need a new one with every bike or a certain one to match specific leathers...is that you?

To the poster above, would a 'new' old stock 5 year old helmet just sitting there in its box be degraded? I don't think modern tires are going to get that hard and degrade in 5 years of just sitting there, nor last that long under normal use.
 
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LoneRonin said:
ok, for you guys who can't figure it out.

km's on helmet= seat time= how long you've been wearing the damn thing

Theres a difference between a 5 year old helmet with 60k vs a 5 year old helmet with 20k. So, how long is it you find yourselves keeping the same one?

I've heard some guys say they need a new one with every bike or a certain one to match specific leathers...is that you?

To the poster above, would a 'new' old stock 5 year old helmet just sitting there in its box be degraded? I don't think modern tires are going to get that hard and degrade in 5 years of just sitting there, nor last that long under normal use.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I was kidding.
But yeah... my answer: refer to 2nd statement.
 
I actually found the 2nd statement funnier than yours.

Obviously a helmet isn't gonna last getting dragged on the ground...

I guess since it has to meet the surface to count, kms on a motorcycle can only be based on the tires. The countless mechanism and actions going on in the engine are unquantifiable, even odometers lie...(sarcasm, I find a lot of guys have a hard time figuring this out)
 
My current helmet has around 40K. The helmet is still great but I am considering buying a new visor. It has a few dings and scratches that bother me. I dont see a point in buying a whole new helmet.
 
Your helmet life depends on many factors, the primary one being whether it is of premium quality. A helmet like a Shoei or Arai will last you several years, whereas a cheap entry level helmet, sub $200 would in most cases be ready for replacement well within 1-2 years depending on how much you ride. Keep your helmet fresh by investing in new cheek pads/liners every so often and make sure to give it a good clean once in awhile.
 
LoneRonin said:
ok, for you guys who can't figure it out.

km's on helmet= seat time= how long you've been wearing the damn thing

Theres a difference between a 5 year old helmet with 60k vs a 5 year old helmet with 20k. So, how long is it you find yourselves keeping the same one?

I've heard some guys say they need a new one with every bike or a certain one to match specific leathers...is that you?

To the poster above, would a 'new' old stock 5 year old helmet just sitting there in its box be degraded? I don't think modern tires are going to get that hard and degrade in 5 years of just sitting there, nor last that long under normal use.
Click to expand...


does the time you wear it before and after you ride count? does it matter how fast you go? what if you just cruise around for 30k at an average of 60kph, or if you do 190kph for 15k? what if you ride in the rain? too many variables.......
 
My Scorpion has lasted over two years now. Surprisingly it's still in good shape. Too bad, since I'd like a new helmet just to have a new helmet.
 
My first helmet lasted 1.5 seasons and a few meters on the pavement. Still will good if I swap the visor and polish out some scratches.
 
MrBruce said:
Your helmet life depends on many factors, the primary one being whether it is of premium quality. A helmet like a Shoei or Arai will last you several years, whereas a cheap entry level helmet, sub $200 would in most cases be ready for replacement well within 1-2 years depending on how much you ride. Keep your helmet fresh by investing in new cheek pads/liners every so often and make sure to give it a good clean once in awhile.
Click to expand...

+1 with helmets that have removable liners/cheek pads look around the areas that are not removable. Look for separation and deterioration in the actually shell...you'll notice movement or flex that was never there before and may even see bits crumble out when you give it a squeeze...
 
The five year "rule" is Snell. Materials degradation refers to the potential of glues used to attach the liner to the shell to degrade the liner itself. Hair oil, perspiration and other factors also come into play. With so many variables, the answer to your question is going to vary widely (say I'm bald and only ride in cool weather), so five years is likely a conservative rule of thumb. If you have a removable washable liner, you can probably put a couple of decades on the shell unless it gets damaged. On the other hand if you have a fixed liner and ride your bike full time delivering pizza in Phoenix, maybe you want to change it up more regularly.

http://www.smf.org/standards/m/2010/m2010_final_booklet.pdf

LoneRonin said:
ok, for you guys who can't figure it out.

km's on helmet= seat time= how long you've been wearing the damn thing

Theres a difference between a 5 year old helmet with 60k vs a 5 year old helmet with 20k. So, how long is it you find yourselves keeping the same one?

I've heard some guys say they need a new one with every bike or a certain one to match specific leathers...is that you?

To the poster above, would a 'new' old stock 5 year old helmet just sitting there in its box be degraded? I don't think modern tires are going to get that hard and degrade in 5 years of just sitting there, nor last that long under normal use.
Click to expand...
 
El Cockblock said:
Or why are buildings called like that, if they're done building them?
Click to expand...

Or why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway...?

But I digress.
 
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