Helmet life

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At least there is no mandated "expiry dates" on helmets like on child car seats.
 
oioioi said:
At least there is no mandated "expiry dates" on helmets like on child car seats.
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right, the time to buy a new one is when you pick it up and it just turns to dust in your hands 😫

on another note I just bought myself another RPHA 1 for the street. 1st one is for track and it's by far the best fitting one i've bought yet.
 
I finally broke down and got my new Shoei RF1100 helmet out. Bought while there was still a chance to get my size XXXL. It was the last one in Canada at the time. My old helmet is getting up there in age, probably 8 or 9 years. Tried on the new one and damn that thing is tight... Looked at the foam and the old one is pretty compressed compared to the new one. Didn't help that both the helmet and I got cooked in a 4.5 hour commute a couple of weeks ago when it was over 30C outside. It is getting tossed out. Won't wear it again.
 
RichinOville said:
I finally broke down and got my new Shoei RF1100 helmet out. Bought while there was still a chance to get my size XXXL. It was the last one in Canada at the time. My old helmet is getting up there in age, probably 8 or 9 years. Tried on the new one and damn that thing is tight... Looked at the foam and the old one is pretty compressed compared to the new one. Didn't help that both the helmet and I got cooked in a 4.5 hour commute a couple of weeks ago when it was over 30C outside. It is getting tossed out. Won't wear it again.
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For scientific purposes, could you tell us what date is from the manufacturing stamp on the "new" RF1100?
 
oioioi said:
At least there is no mandated "expiry dates" on helmets like on child car seats.
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Some track day organizers mandate max age by using Snell years. It was sad that I had to buy a $100 HJC because my $800 Arai RX7 was a year too old. Then again, if it weren't for that cheap helmet, I never would have realized how much value HJC offered, and ended up replacing the RX7 with an FS-15 Carbon. That helmet lasted 12 years using it daily until I crashed in it. Some minor wear on the interior fabric where it drags when putting on/off, but otherwise the interior was in great shape for that many years.
 
It's probably still fine, but not really ideal. A lot of improvement has happened in 8 years, and degradation happens even in storage, although a lot slower than while being used.
 
danp said:
It's probably still fine, but not really ideal. A lot of improvement has happened in 8 years, and degradation happens even in storage, although a lot slower than while being used.
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In a closet, away from uv light, and drastic temperature changes?

If it was sweat-in, and left... maybe.

I bought an hjc rpha11(on sale) two years ago. Wore it once to test fit, then stored it until my rf1200 gets retired. Its certainly not two years closer to being tossed.




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What I read is that the foam hardens and becomes brittle over time, and then no longer protects your head as well. This is caused mainly by usage (sweat from your head, chemicals from products in your hair, etc) but even with no usage, time still plays a role. I'm just repeating what I read, I'm no expert myself. But when it comes to my head I'd rather err on the side of caution. I think it's a bad idea to buy a helmet years in advance of when you actually intend to use it.
 
danp said:
What I read is that the foam hardens and becomes brittle over time, and then no longer protects your head as well. This is caused mainly by usage (sweat from your head, chemicals from products in your hair, etc) but even with no usage, time still plays a role. I'm just repeating what I read, I'm no expert myself. But when it comes to my head I'd rather err on the side of caution. I think it's a bad idea to buy a helmet years in advance of when you actually intend to use it.
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Depends which foam you're referring to. There's the soft spongy comfort foam that disintegrates from looking at it, and then there's the EPS foam that goes between that comfort liner and the hard shell, which is comparatively indestructible. This is from a bicycle helmet test, but you get the idea: EPS Foam Helmet Liner Performance With Age
 
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guzzirider said:
So is a brand new $29.95 piss pot helmet from Canadian Tire safer than my 5 year old Schuberth 3C Pro in good condition?
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No, what makes you think so?

But a brand new Schuberth helmet is safer than your5 year old 3C.
 
Relax said:
Depends which foam you're referring to. There's the soft spongy comfort foam that disintegrates from looking at it, and then there's the EPS foam that goes between that comfort liner and the hard shell, which is comparatively indestructible. This is from a bicycle helmet test, but you get the idea: EPS Foam Helmet Liner Performance With Age
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"You should buy a new helmet every 5 years."
"Says who?"
"The helmet manufacturers..."

Surprise, surprise.
 
My decision is based on my personal experience. My 40 yr old Nava full coverage is about 10 sizes too big because the eps liner has degraded and has shrunk. I have a 25 year old Shoei that is in the same state but not quite as bad. If a helmet doesn't fit properly, it's useless. Not my opinion, just fact.
 
Wingboy said:
My decision is based on my personal experience. My 40 yr old Nava full coverage is about 10 sizes too big because the eps liner has degraded and has shrunk. I have a 25 year old Shoei that is in the same state but not quite as bad. If a helmet doesn't fit properly, it's useless. Not my opinion, just fact.
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I completely agree - it makes much more sense to gauge by the condition rather than just the age alone.
 
The foam liner from your NAVA may not have been EPS at all .... :rolleyes:
EPS shinkage once in place is minimal to none.
Your hair volume however over 40 years.......:unsure:

EPS is a plastic and aside from contact with hydrocarbons or exposure to UV from sunlight, it is relatively unaffected by other naturally degrading processes. Geofoam® placed in the ground for decades increased its compression resistance (strength). The lifespan of EPS is long, potentially unlimited.
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Styrofoam (more appropriately called Polystyrene or EPS) languishes in landfills indefinitely, taking at least 500 years – and possibly much longer – to decompose.
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Liners and cheek pads certainly degrade and wear out...the EPS does not in any reasonable period of time.
The liners and cheek pads are usually available.
.I even found a set for my 10 year Australian convertible. Guy that bought was happy to get a convertible for $40 even with the surface rust on the buckle.

I always have a bit of room in a helmet for a thin balaclava - keeps the helmet line in better condition and keeps me warmer. Not an issue for fair weather riders.

I used one of these for years
shopping

Bell introduced its Star model, the first full-face motorcycle helmet on the market, in 1968. In 1971, Bell produced the first full-face off-road motorcycle helmet.
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I would have no issue using the same helmet today .....but bloody claustrophobic.

 
Knock yourself out. I'll buy the best gear i can afford.
Without a source,your quotes ( if that's what they are) are useless. (wow are you stubborn).EPS liners shrink over time and make old helmets dangerous. IMHO!!!
 
Factually wrong....your opinion is hardly humble....it is simply incorrect.

"EPS "shrinks over time " ...pardon my laughter....better check your house foundation.....gets expensive replacing the EPS there as it "shrinks". :rolleyes:
Sources added since you can't be bothered to verify the facts of the matter on your own.

What is "useless" is insisting your unsupported anecdote has somehow more validity than easily ascertained facts about EPS, which lines the shell of motorcycle helmets and bicycle helmets.

Go ahead throw your 5 year old helmets in the landfill since you seem to have money to burn.

"Stubborn" ???? sure when someone propagates a myth and thereby misleads others....I'll call it out everytime. :coffee:
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