bigpoppa
Well-known member
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Helmet life
- Thread starter xfactor
- Start date
Throwing oil onto the fire re the EPS foam...
From the AGV website:
agvsport.com
It goes on to say that other components like buckles, liner, padding, vinyl, etc may age over time and (ab)use, but specifically, unless the EPS foam has been compressed or damaged in any other way, the passage of time, heat, humidity or cold will not affect it.
This is from a motorcycle helmet manufacturer's website.
From the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, which helmets also contain the same type of EPS foam as motorcycle helmets:
Should you upgrade your helmet every x years due to safety?
I would, for many reasons like the advancement of technology and the wear and tear of non-EPS materials.
But not because the EPS foam degrades over time, heat, humidity or cold.
From the AGV website:
Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire If Not Used? 7 Interesting Points That Answer This Question - AGVSPORT
Motorcycle helmets do not expire if they are not used. There are many recommendations as to when to replace a motorcycle helmet and all are arbitrary and motorcycle helmets expire
agvsport.com
It goes on to say that other components like buckles, liner, padding, vinyl, etc may age over time and (ab)use, but specifically, unless the EPS foam has been compressed or damaged in any other way, the passage of time, heat, humidity or cold will not affect it.
This is from a motorcycle helmet manufacturer's website.
From the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, which helmets also contain the same type of EPS foam as motorcycle helmets:
EPS Foam Helmet Liner Performance With Age
helmets.org
Should you upgrade your helmet every x years due to safety?
I would, for many reasons like the advancement of technology and the wear and tear of non-EPS materials.
But not because the EPS foam degrades over time, heat, humidity or cold.
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Thanks for all the banter. Looks like I don't need to replace my wife's 20 yr old helmet after all
and a new visor.At least buy her a liner.
Not sure there has been significant advancements for safety - certainly lots for convenience.
There ARE EPS advancements pending to reduce brain damage from rotational forces.
My 1969 Bell 500 with a bubble visor. I rode all winter in St Catherines and recall ripping that visor off coming out of the Thorold tunnel, sleet had coated it instantly = zero viz ...luckily I also wore goggles for warmth..was a chilly ride to Fort Erie.
I do like the goggle setup Itchy Boot has on her Arai.
Visors have improved but only incrementally tho anti-fog ala C3/4 and others really works.
Adding internal sun visors is a nice addition and likely improved safety.
D-ring is still okay but the ratchet style I think is an upgrade.
Most liners can be replaced and should be when they lose volume and fit poorly or scaring the dog with the smell.
Carbon fiber is a real improvement for weight ...not sure about safety.
Comms accommodation is pretty much universal now tho it can result in a noisy helmet...any helmet can be made quieter.
finally lets bust that myth for good.
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If you are careful to use microfiber cloths and warm soapy water to gently soak the bugs off, visors can last a long time,
I'm partial to riding with form fitting safety glasses as I find the anti-fog coating on some current visors ( notably my Shark ) reduces optical clarity. At least they sent me a new one.
I use the visor when it is raining or for dust and debris - rather have the high clarity optics the mil spec safety glasses offer
-Maverick-
Well-known member
Have a 25 year old AGV Kenny Roberts Replica...picked it up when I was moving and the liner fell out in pieces. It smelled moldy. I threw it in the garbage.
Currently have a ten year old Akuma. Very unique helmet...which became my favorite. If I could find new lining for it would still be using it. But the company went bust. Was wondering if a Shoei or Arai lining would work in it...that's how much I loved this lid.
For now rocking an AGV K5. Doesn't fit the way my Akuma did but the protection is there in spades.
Just like that favourite motorcycle, we all have fav lids that will die with our confidence in them in the form of sweat. RIP my fav Akuma.
I think seven years is a good rule of thumb. Seven years from the date it goes into use that is.
The guy formerly known as Mladin.
Currently have a ten year old Akuma. Very unique helmet...which became my favorite. If I could find new lining for it would still be using it. But the company went bust. Was wondering if a Shoei or Arai lining would work in it...that's how much I loved this lid.
For now rocking an AGV K5. Doesn't fit the way my Akuma did but the protection is there in spades.
Just like that favourite motorcycle, we all have fav lids that will die with our confidence in them in the form of sweat. RIP my fav Akuma.
I think seven years is a good rule of thumb. Seven years from the date it goes into use that is.
The guy formerly known as Mladin.
I know exactly what you mean.
Had a Dainese KH-R helmet that was my absolute favorite design. Destroyed it at the track. Still miss it.
Like most things, helmet safety technology has continued to advance throughout the years.
Since we're talking about EPS liners, there are now multi-density foam layers which protects against a variety of impacts from soft to hard. Early helmets only had one density EPS liner. Most helmets today have at least three types of density, the higher-density outer layer which protects against harder impacts. The softer density foam sits inside, closer to the head and deforms on softer hits.
AGV's newest line of racing helmets (K6-S) now has a 5-layer EPS liner.
Some helmets also offer an emergency removal system in the event of an accident. There are tabs on the underside of the cheek pads which allow you to remove them first while the rider is still wearing the helmet, so you can take the helmet off more easily, avoiding any pressure on the neck or spine.
My Nexx helmet has this system:
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) addresses rotational forces on the head rather than force from a single direction. It's a separate insert from the EPS liner and this technology can be found in everything from bicycle, snowboard and motorcycle helmets these days.
Motorcycle armor padding company D3O is even getting into the MIPS game, just last year they announced a D30 liner that helmet manufacturers can build into their products to address rotational impacts:
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Thanks for posting that - very informativeLike most things, helmet safety technology has continued to advance throughout the years.
Since we're talking about EPS liners, there are now multi-density foam layers which protects against a variety of impacts from soft to hard. Early helmets only had one density EPS liner. Most helmets today have at least three types of density, the higher-density outer layer which protects against harder impacts. The softer density foam sits inside, closer to the head and deforms on softer hits.
AGV's newest line of racing helmets (K6-S) now has a 5-layer EPS liner.
Some helmets also offer an emergency removal system in the event of an accident. There are tabs on the underside of the cheek pads which allow you to remove them first while the rider is still wearing the helmet, so you can take the helmet off more easily, avoiding any pressure on the neck or spine.
My Nexx helmet has this system:
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) addresses rotational forces on the head rather than force from a single direction. It's a separate insert from the EPS liner and this technology can be found in everything from bicycle, snowboard and motorcycle helmets these days.
Motorcycle armor padding company D3O is even getting into the MIPS game, just last year they announced a D30 liner that helmet manufacturers can build into their products to address rotational impacts:
Was posted up earlier and especially the D30 approach is welcome. Anyone racing or even offroad riding would want the latest incremental improvement.
However the reality for most riders is they won't have an on road accident.
Just because their older helmet doesn't have the incremental improvement doesn't mean it is unsafe.
WTF? Safety third.
TK4
Well-known member
Calculated risk has always been part of the equation.
You can make that decision for yourself.
It's not safety third, that's a specious argument.
A friend was rear ended this year in the city. He said that one of the first things the police officer did, was to check the date on his helmet. It was three years old. I'm not sure why, or what any consequences or benefits would be. He was thinking it might be related to insurance, research or potential lawsuits.
Relax
Well-known member
The OEM blue mirrored visor on my HJC lasted about 12 years, but maybe only only 100,000 kms during that time. I coated it with Rejex when new before installing it, and only ever used water and paper towels or restaurant serviettes to clean it. It was only in the last 2 years I started noticing more and more pitting from bug/road debris impacts, and some fading in certain areas of the blue film, but other than that, I couldn't complain.
-Maverick-
Well-known member
That would be a hard argument in court. There is no mandated law on helmet date codes. Some guys ride around with lids from China with a fake DOT sticker. The cop was likely a rider and just flexing his knowledge.
The guy formerly known as Mladin.
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