How Do I Know If a Motorcycle Helmet Is TOO Old?

Helmets aren’t like bottles of milk. You won’t find any “expiration date” printed on the side. Instead, you’ll find its date of manufacture. This was when it was produced in the factory. You should only use a helmet for 7 years after its date of manufacture. In other words, if it was stamped as produced on september 1, 2021, you should get a new helmet by september 1, 2028, at the latest. Of course, you hardly ever buy a helmet the moment it comes off the assembly line. Between being packaged and shipped, plus the amount of time it has to sit on the shelf at your local motorcycle shop, you may end up buying a helmet several years after its manufacture date.

/ 21/04/2022 / david brayton while riding a motorcycle, your helmet is your best friend. Needless to say, the protection level it can provide holds the utmost importance. Your helmet is an essential part of motorcycle riding. It shields your head from any severe injuries on the road. But every tangible object has its expired date. Although a helmet has a manufacturing expiry date, its actuarial replacement depends on your use, and how much damage it sustained so far. However, if your motorcycle helmet needs replacing, it’s easily detectable. But before you replace your helmet and get yourself a new one, we recommend going through this article first.

After prolonged exposure to direct sunlight after dropping the helmet onto a hard surface the inner liner separates from the outer shell the padding inside becomes loose or frayed the helmet no longer fits correctly the clasp is compromised exposure to a solvent the helmet has been in an accident after exposure to direct sunlight: prolonged exposure of a helmet to direct sunlight can result in the degradation of the composite elements of the helmet. They are sensitive to uv exposure, and prolonged exposure can result in the integrity of the materials being compromised. So a motorcycle helmet mustn’t be left in a location where it will be exposed to sunlight for an extended time.

As a result of their construction and design, foam can compress and absorb impacts. The unique ability of foam to slow down and cushion collisions makes it unique in the industry. The outer shell indeed provides a solid and waterproof surface. However, the eps interior creates an atmosphere of flexibility, making the accident less abrasive. Despite this, foam is a superior material in reducing the risks of head injuries, but it degrades faster than other materials and has a shorter lifespan. So the answer to “how long does a motorcycle helmet last?” isn’t obvious. A simple answer to this question depends on three variables: storage, integrity, and usage.

What Are Signs That a Bike Helmet Is Too Worn Out?

Wear and tear: over a period of time, your helmet starts getting worn out be it in the form of scratches, tears, bolts loosening and sometimes outright damages. Sustaining such wear for a long time will bog down the performance of the helmet especially if there are any cracks. Moisture, sweat and oils accumulation: best helmets will come with reusable comfort liner. You can take out the fabric, clean them and put it back. Or just replace the comfort liner. However, most helmets do not have that option. Years of oil and sweat accumulated will start showing signs, even if you wash them periodically.

Q: i own two shoei rf-1000 helmets that i bought in march of 2008. One of them matched my bike, so i wore it exclusively. Now, almost five years later, its worn in enough to be a loose fit. The other helmet, which ive never worn, has been stored in its bag inside a helmet carrier in a climate-controlled room. Ive heard you should change helmets after five years. Should i replace my unused lid and buy a new one, or can i save money and feel safe with what i have? reggie cook buford, ga a: according to shoei, its helmets should be replaced five years after the purchase date, or seven years after the production date.

The snell foundation, which determines the safety ratings of bike helmets in the us, came up with the number of 5 years. This is based on the facts that the materials will begin to degrade over time. And that over the 5 years, the helmet will come in contact with chemicals that gradually degrade the helmet. This includes sunlight, sunblock, hair oils etc. Additionally, new technologies in helmets are upgrading every year. So a bike helmet from this year will be safer from the same model helmet in the previous year. Additionally, this doesn’t mean that any given helmet will last 5 years.

A dirt bike helmet is a pricey investment, and you will want to keep using for as long as it is capable of protecting you. Five years is the general standard placed by manufacturers when it comes to helmet-use. You may need to replace your model before this time in the case of a major crash, or if it has deteriorated in quality. Examine the exterior and interior to determined if the helmet has weakened in any way. Another situation which may necessitate helmet-replacement is the absence of replacement parts. Manufacturers update designs after several years, and you may not find replacement components for your helmet after a while.

Can You Use a Motorcycle Helmet That Has Been in a Crash?

So, the votes are in! we asked you: “when do you replace your motorcycle helmet?”; this is what you told us: most of you replace your helmet every 3-5 years, after a crash or when your helmet has been dropped some of you upgrade your helmet earlier if a new helmet on the market has improved safety or comfort features a new helmet fits nicer, some of you replace your helmet every other year to ensure the comfort and a secure fit.

For decades helmet construction was basically the same: a polystyrene shell surrounded your dome and was built to crush upon impact, absorbing the crash force so your head won’t have to. But as motorcycles evolved, helmets didn’t. Until 6d arrived. First came the ats-1 helmet; now there’s the completely reworked ats-1r. Using a new and improved version of its ods (omni-directional suspension) system reduces energy transfer to the head/brain even more than before, says 6d, and makes the r even lighter. Basically, we’ve got tiny springs wedged between two eps liners, which 6d claims offers unsurpassed security. Read the review here.

While only making up around 6% of wa's road users, motorcyclists account for more than 20% of serious injuries and fatalities on wa's roads. Motorcycle riders and their passengers are among our most vulnerable road users for several reasons: they have very little protection in the event of a crash. Riders are subject to variations in road surface conditions, and it requires more control and skill by the rider to operate safely compared to a passenger car. Motorcycle riders operate in high-speed environments beyond the safe physical tolerance limits the body can withstand without serious harm in a crash. Click on the cards below to find out more about offenses and penalties, safety tips, and what to look for in a helmet or safety gear.

Why Do Motorcycle Helmets Have Expiration Dates?

When it comes to motorcycle safety, the helmet is the most important piece of equipment that you will have on your body. That’s because the motorcycle helmet is designed to keep you alive in the worst-case scenario. Because of that, it is important that you have the most up-to-date motorcycle helmet. Believe it or not, motorcycle helmets do have an expiration date. That’s because the inner lining of the helmet is made from eps foam. This foam can lose its shape over time. Thus, the motorcycle helmet can lose its ability to protect you from serious injury. The following provides a look at everything you need to know about your motorcycle helmet, including how helmets are made, how they become outdated and how you can care for them.

The Average Expiration Date of a Motorcycle Helmet

Technically, the average bicycle helmet does not come with an expiration date. This means you’ll have to consider a number of different factors, as well as inspecting the helmet to determine if replacing it is necessary. Some helmet manufacturers will tell you to replace your helmet after every three years; some suggest five to eight years as the ideal time frame to have it replaced. In general, the differences seem to depend on the manufacturer’s quality of build and materials used. Whilst many helmets look very similar there can, however, differences between, consult an expert if you can. This, however, does not mean that your helmet will automatically be unfit for use once the stated period elapses.