Helmet age

[dustinn3]

I have a convertable Nolan helmet I bought about 10 years ago when I had a sportbike. I only wore it twice and it has been in the attic ever since. However when I bought my new bike this weekend I brought it out and started wearing it again. However, I've notice the liner is falling apart and leaving black lint all over me. Is my helmet still good or do I need to purchase a new one?

[WAR600]

It's your head, but if it were mine I wouldn't wear it.

[Schneiderman]

You're supposed to replace a helmet every 5 years, so... yes. That's ok, you can get a decent helmet for under $100.

[aramfingal]

i had an old nolan that i had to use while waiting for my new helmet to be shipped, and it got that black lint all over my head too. i wore a hankerchief over my head each time.

[Goliath616]

Is it 5? I thought I heard somewhere 3 years, anyway, yeah replace it. Once the liner falls apart the rest is sure to follow quickly, and sine it is 10 years old, I don't think it would even meet DOT standards anymore.

[dustinn3]

Boy that sucks, paid almost $300 brand new and only used it a couple of times. Guess I should've sold it.

Thanks,

[Hogrider]

Anybody able to find test results on helmets 5 years old and older? I haven't found them. I take really really good care of my helmets and use them for a number of years providing they are not dropped or damaged from impact. I have a Shoei that is 6 years old now and still wear it in the winter; it's unmarked and in beautiful condition with no degradation in the interior material or straps at all. After careful inspection of the helmet I see no reason to keep me from using a helmet of age.

[dustinn3]

From Snell's website, "Why should you replace your helmet every five years?
The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production over can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy." Sounds more like a theory.

[kitty kat]

I bought my helmet last December, but am hoping to change it again this December. I have done the equivalent of over 5 year's riding with my lid, so it is due for replacement.

I personally would not wear a lid that has been stored in an attic for all those years, it has probably not been stored at optimum temperature.

Saying that though, it is your head, your choice!!

[Cruzrat]

The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues,
. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy." Sounds more like a theory.
A sales pitch if I ever heard one!
If your helmet met DOT standard 5 or even 10 yrs ago and DOT changes standards, it doesn't make your helmet unsafe, just not up to date. The styrofoam in your helmet will last for hundeds of years in a landfill, so unless the lining fabric wears out or you drop and damage it , I wouldn't worry about it

Rat

[Hogrider]

From Snell's website, "Why should you replace your helmet every five years?
The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production over can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy." Sounds more like a theory.

If is the biggest word in the English language. From 1985 through 1990 I piloted a winged Cole T4 flat bottom dreg boat which was glass, resin, wood and a few other materials that took consistent stresses and poundings a helmet may only see once in its lifetime and it didn't crack, sink, fall apart or anything else that would have made it unsafe. That message from Snell reminds me of a disclaimer designed to cover their butts as opposed to the rider's.

I totally agree with the theory part...

[cdillon23]

I would say the Snell statement is either a cover our butt statement or a lets sell more helmets statement. As for your helmet dustinn. If the lining is falling out replace it. If it is not don't. I am guessing it is because of the black lint you mentioned.

[misterdub]

I totally agree with the theory part...

Eh, it may just be a theory but when it comes to my head, I'd shell out the $100 for a new helmet. Is $100 worth slightly better odds in a wreck? It is to me.

[dustinn3]

Acctually I did a little more inspection on my helmet and it was the cheap removable foam around my chin strap that was falling appart. I removed it and it seems to be fine. The rest of the liner and foam seems to be ok.

[TFee3]

It will be a cold day when I throw my helmet away after 5 years. If it's not cracked, then there's no reason to throw it away. I opt for thinking it's a "let's sell helmets!" move.

As far as heat extremes goes, it's pretty hot with the sun beating down on your head while you're riding, so I don't see how attic heat would do anything. It's UV rays from the sun that usually works on plastics, not heat.

[edger]

My 2cents worth-- Depends on why your wearing the helmet. Are you wearing it because the law says you have to and otherwise you wouldn't, well then what difference does it make what kind of shape its in. If your wearing it because you want it to save your head in an accident, then I suggest you wear one that will do just that and has not outlived its purpose!

[aramfingal]

all those guys that never wear helmets think they're so tough, but little do they know, my helmet is 6 years old.

[Hogrider]

My 2cents worth-- If your wearing it because you want it to save your head in an accident, then I suggest you wear one that will do just that and has not outlived its purpose!


That's the problem, we don't seem to be able to find an independent study that suggests the helmet that is old and in what appears to be normal ready to use condition will do any worse or better than the new one. I do however like the above mentioned CYA or sales pitch as it were from Snell.

[pdksh]

It's fine with me if those recommendations are really just sales pitches...

It's my head! I'm not going to play around with 10 year old helmets that seem to be falling apart in the interior. Besides, who doesn't want more helmets? :D