Time to replace helmet

[fazza59]

Can someone back me up??

My lad has dropped his helmet and says its fine

As you can see from the pics it doesn't look it, the outer skin is cracked and it has crumpled. It was dropped for about waist hight but I think it looks like it has been used as a football.

Should it be replaced?

Thanks
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Current - Yamaha R1 - Yamaha XJ600N - Kawasaki GPZ 500S (project? Maybe )
Pics of my bikes

[Seb]

Hard to see clearly in the photo, but that thing looks pretty scuffed up, granted I've seen people carrying and wearing a lot worse tbh. Was following a kid on a scoot in trackies the other week with a full face lid covered in scratches that didn't even have a visor on it
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[steveh]

that thing is fucked, replace, DO NOT USE.


just ask him how much he likes his head, as that will not save him in a bad fall.


if it falls of the sofa, onto the carpet, most people will replace.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[ram_doom]

[MarJay]

It depends I'd say.

If that aerodynamic widget is all part of the shell, then its probably in need of replacement. If its a glue on bit of plastic (as it is on some AGVs and the like) then it probably isn't an issue as it is designed to detach in a collision anyway.

From the photo it looks like the whole shell is shaped, so the shell itself might be damaged.

That said, RiDE magazine did an article a couple of years back on helmet drops, and they said that if there was no head inside the lid when it impacted then it is likely to be undamaged.

They also said that they couldn't endorse the use of dropped lids as the manufacturers reccomend replacement. However, reading between the lines they were basically saying that if you drop the lid once then it would be silly to replace it.

That photo isn't great and I can't really tell the extent of the damage, but personally I wouldn't bother with a helmet that was moulded into that aerodynamic shape as you don't know what would happen if you land on the 'pointy' bit as it were. I'm sure the CE tests don't involve hard impacts onto all places on the shell surface, and so something like that could be overlooked in my opinion. That said, I usually go with Arai or Shoei as they fit my head, and Arai are the only manufacturer to put different densities of foam in different areas of the lid to protect different parts of the head. It really sounds like they know what they are talking about, and I've also had lids which look like a child has assembled them. This is obviously based on my own predjudices and paranoias however, and really who is to say which helmet is the best of a bunch as long as they all fit OK?

I suppose another factor might be if the padding has compressed through use it may not fit your son correctly any more... In which case I'd stick it on his bonce and try to shift it left to right and then do the 'roll off' test. This means he needs to push his chin to his chest with the strap undone and then you pull the lid downward to see if it rolls off the back of his head. If it does then its too big anyway and should be replaced.

Without X-raying the lid, I can't make any definate conclusions, but hopefully I can help you make an informed decision as to whether it does need replacing or not.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Ichy]

Its not an integral part of the helmet, just a bit of plastic stuck on. If it bothers you that much then buy him a new one and I'll have the visor for mine.

[fazza59]

[Ichy]

Get him to get a new visor if his is badly scratched. With short days, headlights, and crap weather it can be hard to see what going on at times.

[T.C]

[Finglonga]

Another reason to replace it is . . . . well look at it! its Fugly!!
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Sir Black Pig]

[mark83]