mid week topic - cheap helmets

[Andy M]

2 years is based on the shelf life of the polymers and some dodgy tale about skin acids . We use similar polymers in pump hoses. If it's on the shelf for three years it gets binned because some customers send them back. If it's been on the shelf 35 months, they get used and have exactly the same service life as a brand new one. Most hoses fail because they are simply worn out, but a few are misused and fail sooner. When we are short of stock we can offer expired ones, we don't see them in the warranty list any more often.

Same goes for a helmet IMHO, in use the clock is ticking, in a dark, cool cupboard it slows down. 80% marketing 20% fact IMHO, they don't explode Logans Run style the second they hit 2 years old.

Andy

[el vencejo]

Agree with Andy. Why are cars like 1960's Lotus Elans still on the road? Surely that plastic resinous monocoque must be reduced to the strength of cardboard by now

Jethro... for me a helmet being "used" is when I "step off" the bike, if I drop it on the tarmac too often or if there are other signs of abuse.

If I buy a "2-year" helmet here, Andalucia, intense sushine, lots of it; then I go to live in Aberdeen, will it still be "unsafe" after 2 years in the dull and wet?

If you buy a decent lid, you can always change the liner when it starts to smell like ripe brie.  

[JOOLZ]

Thats a tough question, from my point of view, the german helmets and other novelty items make me cringe but I love the classic davida and in my warped perception is perfectly safe because it looks like a crash helmet should (I must be a classics snob lol) I wear my duchinni open face nearly all the time and its probably the best fitting open face I have ever had and was  reasonably priced at under £50. I also have a simpson bandit nito helmet which is probably (the most expensive over £600) the safest helmet ever built, light weight and fire proof but yet due to the fact that its not bs approved is illegal, its about 6 years old is hardly ever worn and when not in use is stored in its helmet bag. So to sum it up I think its about what you perceve to be safe.

[trophydave]

Same goes for a helmet IMHO, in use the clock is ticking, in a dark, cool cupboard it slows down. 80% marketing 20% fact IMHO, they don't explode Logans Run style the second they hit 2 years old.

Andy

I have a Nolan lid,bought for my wife in 1999.It has been worn about a dozen times over the first year after buying it and has sat in a helmet bag at the back of the wardrobe ever since.It is like brand new and I would be happy to wear it if only it wasn't a size too small for me.

[guest868]

I also have a simpson bandit nito helmet which is probably (the most expensive over £600) the safest helmet ever built, light weight and fire proof but yet due to the fact that its not bs approved is illegal, its about 6 years old is hardly ever worn and when not in use is stored in its helmet bag.

Wrong, your Simpson helmet is perfectly legal to use. There was a change in laws around 1998 (from memory) meaning that the BS was no longer the only standard a helmet could have to be used on the road. With the adoption of the E-mark standards, your helmet no doubt has a small orange tag on the strap? To be used on British roads your helmet must achieve ECE 22.05, BS 6658:1985.
The most important part for you (and I with my Simpson RX8) is regarding the Snell testing which can be referenced to-

Alternatively, you can wear other types of helmet which could reasonably be expected to give a similar, or greater, level of protection in an accident as British Standard BS 6658:1985 or UN ECE Regulation 22.05.

Taken from - Gov Regs on helmets

Know your legal rights!

[JOOLZ]

Hi thats good news I will look into it further. But I have no orange tag on the strap, as far as I know it is a car only helmet but it just looks sooo good.

[squirrelciv]

Oops, mybe I should think about changing mine... It is 8 years old now!  Nah, just getting comfy

[Mark]

Just wear whats comfortable and avoid landing on your head if you have a spill.

Make sure you enjoy your riding, when your times up it's up.

Mark

[guest7]

Just wear whats comfortable and avoid landing on your head if you have a spill.

Make sure you enjoy your riding, when your times up it's up.

Yep that about sums it up. Take reasonable precautions and have fun. 

As for lids wearing out, I still wear my 12 year old Arai Quantum and will until it falls to bits. I used to ride all day every day and my lids always lasted longer than Jethro's. I reckon it's his face fuzz wearing away the lining 

GC

[002]

I replaced my lids because they were getting a lot of use.
Not so much now,therefore last longer.
Used everyday,quite high milages.
The lining gets compressed,doesnt fit so well.
Gets less comfortable,noisier...etc,etc.....my choice ! My Head !
Certainly not some marketing ploy.
And having had to do my fare share of insurance estimates,speak to the riders and see their clothing after the event.
And I'm happy to do it.

Jethro

[beeman]

Like Jethro I replace mine when they wear out. Most don't get past 3 years before ratchets buckles liners start falling apart. I use the bike most days, certainly 5 times a week to work and cover about 12-15k a year.
Sometimes I wait untill a new visor is needed which often costs £30-40 then replace the lot. Dont get me started on the price of visors!
My wifes helmet rarely goes out and is kept in the wardrobe, and at 10 years is as good as new I would be happy to use it any day.
You pays your money and takes your choice.


beeman

[squirrelciv]

So what are you guys doing to wear out a helmet?? I ride every day and average 12,000 miles a year and my arai is still going. Yes, the strap's a bit frayed at the end, the lining a slightly different colour than when I bought it and the visor a bit 'foggy' but I wouldn't say it's worn out and the thing's 8 years old!

[guest7]

Aha, perhaps we see a possible reason for the disparity in wear between our lids. Like you I've worn Arais for years now and they last really well. The padding stays firm and the quality of the fittings mean that you aren't throwing the lid away because of buckles or visor fittings breaking or straps fraying.

They don't seem that expensive when you're still wearing them ten years on...

GC

[beeman]

The helmet I have now is Matt black and is slowly chipping off making the helmet look sh*t but is ok otherwise although the flip up front/visor isn't as good as I would like. My advice is don't buy a matt helmet if you need to use it on a regular basis.

I too would like to get an expensive helmet but the money in the bank is a bit short and so its hobsons choice.

As a matter of interest nearly all helmets are made in china by just a few factories which often make helmets for several companies. The mark up on helmets is horrendous one common helmet selling at £130 cost the company £39 to produce.

I have a theory that if a helmet is sold too cheap it will not sell but mark it up to a higher price, with good publicity and sponsor a racer or two, makes us the punter want them and are happy to pay more. Like I say its only a theory by a cynical old s*d.

beeman

[Richard]

Well I almost always keep my helmet wrapped up and in the dark when not in use or being cleaned.

Had the same one for nearly 49 years now.

Richard