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[mrmagloo]

The thread someone posted about the used Screamin' Eagle helmet caught my eye when a follow up poster suggested the circa 2007 helment was no longer suitable for use.

Out of curiosity, I too have heard the 5 year life theory, and I wonder what exactly backs that up? What in particular degrades that reduces the effectiveness and how?

Most are made of either fiberglass or a polymer and frankly, both will not degrade that quickly. There are 40 year old fiberglass boats out there that can handle the same pounding they ever did. And, the engineered polymers today in most cases have a longer performance life than man.

From there, we have the styrofoam inserts, which may react with hair oils, etc, but that should be easily reviewed. Besides, most have quite liberal fabric padded liners, which with regular washing should absorb most of the hair oils and create a barrier.

And lastly, how does this life get affected if you are not in a helmet state and you only wear it a few times a year.  What exactly causes the life to decrease and how is that impacted by the frequency of use?

Unless the helmet was in some sort of an accident where is should definitely be replaced, I just wonder how much of this 5 year theory backs into Mfr's looking to increase the ROI of the future customer sales on a more frequent basis. I'm thinking that unless you wear it every day, especially int he rust belt states, a good helmet may very well just as effective 10 or even 15 years down the road. I'm thinking it's all about the condition of the styrofoam.

Thoughts?

[dayne66]

Maybe degradation from UV light is a factor....

I have a few helmets...used for different purposes.....inspected periodically....careful not to drop...my two oldest were retired last year....frayed strap and missing vent devices were the two reasons

[mrmagloo]

UV is definately a factor for some products, but doesn't have a profound effect on fiberglass boats other than causing the gelcoat to fade. Most polymers nowadays include UV inhibitors so I'm thinking this is less of an issue than perhaps the styrofoam degration. But, what do I know.

[mrbhd]

Not that I know much either.....But below is from the Snell Foundation:

Helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation suggest replacement after about 5 years.

Impact protection comes from the outer shell, the styrene inner shell, and the comfort lining. The styrene inner liner crushes as it absorbs energy. The comfort liner compresses until it bottoms out against the styrene. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials, and general liner deterioration and helmet degradation can result from hair oils, body fluids, cosmetics, and normal "wear and tear."

From past experience there will probably be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, design and the standards. Therefore, regardless of wear, you will probably want to replace your helmet every five years.

Certainly not saying that I am in agreement....I really am unsure........
 

[Fired00d]

I'm probably one of the worse for replacing helmets according to this recommendation but could it be that they are considering that helmets are dropped during this life cycle... and the interior padding/shell degrades because of sweat and being worn compressing it?

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[mjb765]

Not that I know much either.....But below is from the Snell Foundation:

Helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation suggest replacement after about 5 years.

Impact protection comes from the outer shell, the styrene inner shell, and the comfort lining. The styrene inner liner crushes as it absorbs energy. The comfort liner compresses until it bottoms out against the styrene. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials, and general liner deterioration and helmet degradation can result from hair oils, body fluids, cosmetics, and normal "wear and tear."

From past experience there will probably be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, design and the standards. Therefore, regardless of wear, you will probably want to replace your helmet every five years.

Certainly not saying that I am in agreement....I really am unsure........

Regardless of wear???  How can the helmet liner degrade from absorbing energy if the helmet is not worn too often?? And what energy is it absorbing if your head never hits anything?? Sounds like they are trying to generate additional and repeat sales.....

[Eagle Eye]

One would think, especially in a non-helmet state, they would last longer if properly stored and cared for.  I usually wear mine up to six years.  But I wear them all the time, so they get pretty good use.  I wear a headcover when using a helmet, so the oils are absorbed by the cover, less so within the helmet liner.  

The modular helmets are usually ready, because parts start to fail; with all the ups and downs of the chin bar and visor exchanges.  I have a Shoei Synchrotech that is very close to it's limits.  I've been shopping for a replacement and a Nolan N104 will be ordered very soon.

I've heard the foam lining looses it's elasticity over time; so why don't they just sell new lining?  Oh, that's right; why sell a lining if the whole helmet can be sold.  Just about everything we buy has a planned obsolesense.    

[mrbhd]

I really think what they are saying is that helmet technology improves so much over five years time, that you will probably WANT a new helmet, not necessarly need one!   Who knows?

[OBB]

Guilty for bringing it up in the other thread. Thanks for bringing it up here though. I also was curious why it's recommended to replace that often. Ohio is a helmet choice state and I only wear mine when it's cold enough that I need a liner to keep my ears warm or I get caught in the rain.

[North Georgia Hawg]

This sounds like a bunch of marketing BS to me... like putting expiration dates on BOTTLED WATER...

[grc]

This sounds like a bunch of marketing BS to me... like putting expiration dates on BOTTLED WATER...

Considering the fact that most bottled water is nothing more than municipal water system crap from a tap, maybe an expiration date isn't a bad idea.  Over time all those nasty little bacteria that survived the cleaning and filtering process can reproduce and mutate and turn that bottled water back into the slime it was originally.    

Anyhow, I think I'd believe the Snell folks a lot more than I'd believe folks taking wild azzed guesses on an internet forum.  They actually do the testing, and they not only test brand new fresh helmets but they also retain extra samples that they test after a few years to make sure they still meet their standards.  So I'm "guessing" they probably have some data to back up their recommendations tucked away somewhere in their archives.

Safety experts also recommend replacing infant car seats based on age.  I'm sure there are probably a bunch of young parents who sit around on their favorite forums and accuse those folks of just trying to sell more product as well.  I love a good conspiracy theory as much as anyone on the planet.  But when it comes to safety, I'll accept the slight risk I'm being hoodwinked and replace my helmet every five years.  I usually search out a good discount on my Shoei full face helmets, so the final price is around $300.  That works out to about $60 a year, or about what some folks spend at Starbucks in two weeks.  I think I'm worth it; I'll leave it to the rest of you to decide if you think you are.


Jerry

[North Georgia Hawg]

Considering the fact that most bottled water is nothing more than municipal water system crap from a tap, maybe an expiration date isn't a bad idea.  Over time all those nasty little bacteria that survived the cleaning and filtering process can reproduce and mutate and turn that bottled water back into the slime it was originally.    

Anyhow, I think I'd believe the Snell folks a lot more than I'd believe folks taking wild azzed guesses on an internet forum.  They actually do the testing, and they not only test brand new fresh helmets but they also retain extra samples that they test after a few years to make sure they still meet their standards.  So I'm "guessing" they probably have some data to back up their recommendations tucked away somewhere in their archives.

Safety experts also recommend replacing infant car seats based on age.  I'm sure there are probably a bunch of young parents who sit around on their favorite forums and accuse those folks of just trying to sell more product as well.  I love a good conspiracy theory as much as anyone on the planet.  But when it comes to safety, I'll accept the slight risk I'm being hoodwinked and replace my helmet every five years.  I usually search out a good discount on my Shoei full face helmets, so the final price is around $300.  That works out to about $60 a year, or about what some folks spend at Starbucks in two weeks.  I think I'm worth it; I'll leave it to the rest of you to decide if you think you are.


Jerry

Jerry - OK, the bottled water analogy wasn't a very good one. Bottled water doesn't even have to undergo the tests that municipal water does... and much of it IS crap, ridden with bacteria, with no chlorine, bromine, etc, in it to inhibit bacteria growth. in fact, I read an article a few years ago that said that NYC tap water was among the best in the entire nation for purity. NYC? Wow... 

HOWSOMEVER... I just cannot buy the story that the very complex, engineered materials in modern motorcycle helmets simply "break down" in a few years, and become worthless as protectants. Having spent my entire working career as an employee of very large corporations (and having in the last two years finally gotten OUT of that political morass)... this whole thing just STINKS of corporate-sponsored marketing BS at its most finely honed level to me...

[SE-5]

3 years seems to be an average lifespan for mine under daily use, but like most guys, different helmets for different reasons.  Full face modular for less than good conditions (rain, cold etc), 3/4 with headset for group riding (not too often), a few half's some with flip down visors some without.  1 novelty I no longer use at all. 6 plus the bennie for me.  On long trips I take two helmets and 2 pair of riding boots, don't like wearing either all day every day. 

[michaelbmenaker]

What the heck. Go ten years. Or more. It's only your head.

[Midnight Rider]

Again, this is a "best guess", but the liner materials do degrade over time just due to exposure to the elements.  Think of those styrofoam coolers that seem to break more easily with some age on them, or the polymer buckles on certain items that become more "brittle" with age...I've had them break at most inopportune times.  Not often, but it happens.  I would be a bit more concerned about a Flip Face helmet because of the inherent wear on the mechanism, a FF less so, then 3/4 or 1/2.  Novelty helmets are pieces of chit out of the box, so they don't count.  But, I wouldn't be caught dead (pardon the pun) in anything other than a Flip Face or FF, so I err on the side of as much protection as is possible/practical.

I'm usually sick of my helmet by 5 years, if not sooner, and there is usually some better design out there, so coughing up the bucks for a new one is not a big deal.  I do try to find "deals"... though generally can't find "deals" on Schuberth's...that's why I'm currently in a newer Shark, saving my pennies for a C3.

But, in the end it's your head...