| Author | Message | ||
     Drkside79 |
So i got a good deal on a new Shoie RF-1000. However it was made way back in 2006 should i try to return it or is it still safe? | ||
| Pwnzor |
do helmets go bad like old mayonnaise? Seriously, I never heard of a helmet being useless unless you drop it on a hard surface... | ||
| Gunut75 |
I have had helmets that were in use last longer than 4 years. I don't think that it has any problems. | ||
| Drkside79 |
I've heard that one should replace a helmet every 4-5 years. Not sure if that's due to wear and tear or aging of the parts. | ||
| Svh |
It is from the foam and internal padding degrading as all foam does over time. I would try to send it back as that foam is there to protect one of the unreplaceable parts of your body. | ||
| Spiderman |
I have heard that helmets have 'experation' dates. But I think it is more for the testing and updated standards. Cause if that foam won't degrade for a couple hundred years... | ||
| Froggy |
That 4-5 years is use, not a shelf life. I replace roughly once a year, my last lid only made it 6 months before I was fed up with it. | ||
| Swordsman |
Yeah, I think heat and sweat have more to do with the lifespan than anything else. Sitting in a box in a warehouse, it's probably fine. I also suspect helmets are actually safe for quite some time after their "expiration date". There's probably a bit of marketing mixed in there, just to get you into a new helmet more often. I've had my Exo-700 for 4 years now with no visual degradation, though I've started using an HJC IS-16 this year. Couldn't find a pair of sunglasses that would work with the Exo... they keep riding up on my face. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on March 25, 2010) | ||
| Rainman |
Last I heard the recommendation for replacement every four years was to take advantage of upgraded standards, better materials and because helmets tend to get loose and loud and not fit quite as well when worn a lot for a long time. My 3-year-old AFX is worn everyday, comes off and on my head about four or five times a day and the padding (not the protective foam) has squished itself so that the helmet is louder and looser than it was when new. It will still protect me, it's just not as comfortable and perhaps a bit suspect in fitting not as tight. My 2002 Shoei RF-R is used on long freeway rides and in really cold weather -- about once a month -- it still fits tight and is quiet and perfect. | ||
| Badrap |
I'm still using a Shoie I got in 1993 or 4 and it needs replacing. I'll be doing that this year. They say you should replace your helmet if you ever drop it or obviously crash in it. Also, never set your helmet on top of your gas tank because the gas fumes can degrade the foam. Also, be careful that you don't dent the foam inside by setting it on hard sharp objects. It's best to store the helmet in the house away from harmful chemicals that can break down the foam and the shell. | ||
| Delta_one |
I did a lot of research on this not long ago because my cousin started a memorial foundation for her father (my uncle) who died from not wearing a helmet on his bicycle. (I posted a helmet soapbox rant because of it, if you are interested in the story here) if you are interested its a pay it forward organization to promote helmet awareness and every year they give away free helmets to those in need of them. at this time the primary focus is still on bicycle helmets but I am working to help expand it to motorcycle helmets as well as other sports (rollerblading skateboarding etc). http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116855391462 Its not just use. the EPS (Styrofoam) starts to break down and degrade, it becomes hard and brittle and will NOT protect you noggin in a crash like it should. on some lids the glue is still a solvent to the EPS but at a very slow rate and after time the EPS is pulling away from the shell leaving a gap just as if you had crashed in the lid previously leaving your brain to decelerate itself. even if the helmet spent its life on a shelf it is not safe to wear after the expiration date, you wont drink milk or eat eggs after the expiration date why would you trust your brain to an expired helmet? (Message edited by delta_one on March 25, 2010) |
