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

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Rob MacLennan said:
I generally replace my helmet every 5 years, when it has been dropped or crashed, or when I find one that's cool looking that I really want to buy.
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+1!
Smacked my head on Friday the 13th in '05, that helmet was about 5 years old anyway. Next one lasted until I saw a real cool one, then it was still a few more months until I convinced myself to buy it at the bike show. So actually 7 riding seasons on the last one. Not the same number of km a lot of people are talking about, because I ride less than 50 a day, and less on weekends. But I ride a lot, so the helmet is on and off, in the heat and cold and wet. It's also commuting, so more time per km wearing the helmet. It didn't have removable parts, so washing the interior was a bit of a chore, but it held up very well. I still have it as a spare.
 
In another forum I was told I was a fool/idiot to say that a helmet can still be safe after 5 y.....Some people just don`t understand that technologies have come a long way since 1990. Anyway, most people end up dropping there helmet before the 5 y mark :p
 
vince492 said:
In another forum I was told I was a fool/idiot to say that a helmet can still be safe after 5 y.....Some people just don`t understand that technologies have come a long way since 1990. Anyway, most people end up dropping there helmet before the 5 y mark :p
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I've still got a Shoei half helmet, that I bought in 1987. It was about as safe as wearing a pot on my head to start with, so it likely isn't any worse now. I only use it when I'm working on the bike and need to hear what it's doing, on 'round the block test rides.
 
^^ oh so wrong. Most accidents happen close to home!

You can relax only after you pass the 25km mark.
 
johnp said:
^^ oh so wrong. Most accidents happen close to home!

You can relax only after you pass the 25km mark.
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lol they happen so close to home because you're so frequently in close proximity to home base - ie every time you depart/arrive

really doesn't have anything to do with complacency
 
Ikelso,
I would be more concerned with the sun's UVs degrading the plastic shell than grease from your hair attacking the liner.
 
johnp said:
^^ oh so wrong. Most accidents happen close to home!

You can relax only after you pass the 25km mark.
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Accidents happen too close to home?

Move somewhere else.


Problem statistics?
 
dirtbag said:
Ikelso,
I would be more concerned with the sun's UVs degrading the plastic shell than grease from your hair attacking the liner.
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Listen Dirtbag (sorry, one of the few times I can say that in a forum without flaming),
I was just quoting Snell. I'm pretty sure safety doesn't deplete that much over time. Otherwise helmet companies would be happy to slap best-before dates on their products.
 
dirtbag said:
Ikelso,
I would be more concerned with the sun's UVs degrading the plastic shell than grease from your hair attacking the liner.
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What hair?
 
Listen Ikelso,

I have worked in the plastic moulding industry and understand just how much UVs effect plastic. It's always a consideration for items that will spend time in the sun.

As for best before dates - how would that work when the same helmets can be sold to a guy riding every day in Arizona and a guy riding twice a year in Alaska.

I think they have decided that an "average " rider will see enough sun in 5 years to degrade the plastic. Actually the length of time is probably much higher but they want to safe from lawsuits AND sell more lids.

That said my current lid is probably at least ten years old.
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