Age of helmets - when do you change?

Berin

Berin

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I believe manufacturers recommend changing after 5 years, but it’s never been clear whether this is 5 years old or 5 years from manufacture.

My Shoei Neotec 2 is dated September 2018, and I’ve had it since sometime 2019, so could be due a change.

However, earlier this year I was being fitted for a new motorsport helmet and apparently these do not have an age-based change date - as long as the FIM spec is valid it could be 10 years old.

Based on this, I’m a bit less inclined to just change after 5 years.

What’s the general opinion?
 
I’d consider how many times you’ve used it. If you go biking only on Sundays and the rest of the time it’s in a bag in your wardrobe, it’ll likely be in better nick that one that’s in use every day in sun and rain and traffic fumes.

The materials will degrade with time, but how much, how soon, who can tell?

I bought a new Shoei last year, my previous one is still on the shelf, as a spare, it was probably 6, maybe 7, years old.

Just looked and can’t find a date on either of them.
 
As above, it'll depend on how you use it, how often that will determine when is sensible to change.

I usually change every 3 years or so, as i tend to be out on my Bike a lot weather & mileage wise. And it gets a lot of use during that time which starts to wear things out; the inner pads, visor mechanism, vents, straps etc etc. It's still a safe/serviceable Helmet which i tend to sell on.
 
5 years from purchase ( provided it was new out of the box) if it gets above average usage, average use I would say 6 years , if it is infrequent use and the lid is stored correctly it will probably be safe for longer BUT I have had two where the foam in the cheek pads and lining degraded into dust when in correct long term storage ( 8 years)
 
5 years comes from the manufacturers but it’s guidance, not a rule.

As above: depends on usage.

I have lightly used helmets that arr over 5 years that are still in great shape interior/shells.
Another Arai that sat in a cupboard for a few years had the liner’s padding disintegrate into dust-ish material and I binned it.

More commonly used ones fall apart before. So I just replace them and it’s usually around 4/6 years. More often in the past when I was doing way more miles.

Fumes will affect the helmet’s safety padding integrity over time (the styrofoamy one) . Keep that in mind.
 
Perhaps mileage, rather than age, would be a better gauge?
 
I tend to use them until the lining compresses so they are loose or some other part is worn out e.g. a frayed strap. I strip my Sheoi Neotec about twice a year to wash the fabric liner & cheek pads. I check the polystyrene and give that a good wash in anti-dandruff shampoo that kills bugs. Good helmet hygiene prolongs the life and I get a lot more use out of them now they have removable liners you can chuck in the laundry.
 
Previously I've change my helmet at 5 (ish) years. Been using my Krios Pro for 4 years now; washed the lining a couple of times to prolong its life, and changed the visor attachment mech. There's no way I'll be getting rid after 5 years. I'm led to believe that carbon fibre doesn't need replacing as frequently as other types of material. don't know how true that is.
 
I recently bought a new GT Air 2 from an online retailer, via their Ebay shop.
I checked the date of manufacture on receipt….2019
Needless to say I returned it…..
 
I believe the reason given for the advised change is that the polystyrene impact protection layer breaks down.

If that’s the case, doesn’t matter what the shell is made of or how good nick it’s in, in an accident it won’t work.

However, I don’t think the impact protection layers differs between cars and bikes and it’s quite OK to have a 10 year car helmet as long as it’s certification is valid.
 
Berin said:
I believe the reason given for the advised change is that the polystyrene impact protection layer breaks down.

If that’s the case, doesn’t matter what the shell is made of or how good nick it’s in, in an accident it won’t work.

However, I don’t think the impact protection layers differs between cars and bikes and it’s quite OK to have a 10 year car helmet as long as it’s certification is valid.
Click to expand...

That's another plus for keeping my Krios Pro longer, it has Koroyd impact protection that supposedly doesn't weaken, even after impact.
 
Berin said:
I believe the reason given for the advised change is that the polystyrene impact protection layer breaks down.

If that’s the case, doesn’t matter what the shell is made of or how good nick it’s in, in an accident it won’t work.

However, I don’t think the impact protection layers differs between cars and bikes and it’s quite OK to have a 10 year car helmet as long as it’s certification is valid.
Click to expand...
That's it....inner EPS degrades with sweat, oils & other stuff from hair / head (if you have any ;)) etc and how it's stored when not in use
As with Wessie, my inner linings are out twice a year and washed in baby shampoo....it has gentle properties, other cleaning brands are available
The outer shell needs to be intact to disapate the initial shock and also to prevent instrusion
Both shell and inner need to be effective
Yes, take into consideration the manufacture date but lots of other factors
3 to 4 years for me unless I am tempted by a new shiny thing
 
Regarding this, I was told that putting the gloves inside the helmet is a bad habit. As they help with the degradation because they are impregnated with exhaust fumes, etc.

Not 100% if that is real, but I tend to avoid it nowadays.
 
FIA approved motorpsort helmets have a much more stringent approval regime than general motorcycle helmets, I think the latest approvals date from 2018 and the one before 2015. I don't think you can use a helmet with an earlier approval in an FIA or MSA event, I'm less involved these days so it might date back to the previous homologation making it over ten years old.
The last time that I did a FIM event the scrutineers were confiscating helmets with small damage for the duration of the event and an orderly queue was formed at the nearby helmet retailer. I'd bought a new one for that year as my previous one had some scrapes, they're both over 7 years old and have done maybe three seasons of enduro between them. I wouldnt race with them now but have brought them out for trail riding over the winter months. My road/trail Aria is also 7 years old and fairly battered so a new one is on the cards for next years road trips. My car rally helmet is 25 years old and a momento of past fun.
 
  • If you damage the lining by pressing it.
  • Dropped the helmet onto a hard surface.
  • its starting to smell
  • looks scratched and a bit messy
Then i would get a new lid.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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