How old is your lid (quite important actually)?

[dabigginger]

Something I learnt quite recently is that helmets are only effective from around 3-5 years from the date of manufacture. Now, apparently the manufacture date should be in it somewhere, but I have yet to find mine. The reason being is that the polystyrene slowly absorbs moisture over time and becomes brittle. So, if you have a crash, rather than cushioning the blow, it just crumbles.

Before anyone thinks I'm sounding patronising, I did ask a mate who's been riding for the best part of 10 years if he knew this, which he didn't. I'm sure some people on here probably know, but I'm sure there are some who probably don't. So, even if it could potentially save someone, I thought it might be worth mentioning!

[california_rookie]

I'd heard that had a finite life span but never why.
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[The Tot]

Well some polymers suffer degradation from ultraviolet and the polymer bonds tend to break down over time. If it's something safety critical like that, it's worth not to take the chance as a lid in shop window must have had many months of UV exposure enough to degrade the chains in the polymer. I need to look into it though. Polycarbonates are meant to be UV resistant though.
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[Dan 4RR]

Well if this info is correct my helmet "expires" between 2009-2011.
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[Kaben]

If the helmet is stored out of sunlight (i.e shop stock room) then a helmet will not be affected by age.
However Once it has been worn, UV exposure and sweat moisture will slowly cause the polystyrene innards to harden and the outer shell components to become slightly brittle.

My helmet is 7 years old, but as it had only been worn once or twice by my dad then stored for 4 years before I started using it, it was fine.

It is only a worry if you store it in a damp location or in direct sunlight basically.

For a helmet that is in regular use it is recommended to change it every 3-4 years.
Arai however state that their helmets are good for 7 years of regular use if stored correctly between usages (i.e not in direct sunlight and in dry conditions as stated above).

Obviously if you drop it you should think about replacing it.
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[stinkwheel]

My helmet is 8 years old and my bike fell over on top of it the first time out taking several big gouges out of the paint on top.

I'm about due a new one because it's starting to get a bit loose and presses against my nose at high speeds which is annoying.

Not wanting to get into another debate about it but I personally think that the safety benefits of helmets are vastly overrated. I also object to being made to wear one by law.

They do however keep my head warm and dry and the visor keeps the wind and rain out of my face. As long as it still achieves this task in comfort, I'll keep wearing it. It's starting to become less comfortable now so maybe time for a change.

[Rookie]

Mine's going on 3 years old, I was shopping for new helmets today. Looking at an Arai and an AJC. Fed up with how noisy the cheap one I've got is.

[CoronaBoner]

Mines 3 odd years old and has taken more hits than Baghdad, way overdue a change, would have got one from the Excel show if I hadn't of lost my wallet the day before
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[Pte1643]

[McGee]

I like to get a new one every year

But now I have to pay for it I'm not sure
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[Simple]

I'm planning on changing my AGV soon, it's 2.5 years old, getting loose and has been to cyprus twice, once as hand luggage and once in the hold ...

I'll replace it when one of the current visors break.. I can see one is starting to fracture at the little tab.... so wont be long.

mine has had plenty of knocks and I've fallen over wearing it twice, once on the bike once the pup took my legs from under me...

the next lid I get I'll want to be lighter as at 100mph pluf it presses on the top of my head and gives me a head ache makes me feel quite sick.
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[MarJay]

I get a new one every year too.

The thing is, helmet technology is always improving so a new lid is going to be more protective than one that was manufactured eight years ago whether ot not you take age into account.

I'd rather not take the chance with my head.
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[Kaben]

[mark83]

[t121anf]

about 6 months as i had to replace it after dropping it

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

5 months. I think it'll be ok.
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[Kal]

I thought everyone knew about this, it was mentioned on my CBT and my DAS by the instructors of two different schools in Leicester and Nottingham.

My current lid and my previous one has the date alongside the sizing information inside.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Same, although they told us that fibre glass/ composite lids are good for 5 years and polycarbonate/plastics ones for 2 years.
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[gypsyjackson]

My CBT instructor also told me that.

My helmet is only 9 months old, but it's a pretty rubbish looking one, by a no name. Gold stickered, but I'm not sure. Also, I fell in love with the Rossi Manara helmet in the HG ad in MCN on Wednesday. Going to try it on tomorrow morning. God bless 0% finance...

[Pte1643]

[Liquorice]

I think i win, on the newness here think i registered it on shark warranty about 2 weeks ago


(admittedly only cos i dropped the old one)
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[sandino]

I got told that on CBT, also not to put stickers on there as the glue can dissolve the polystyrene. I have dropped my helmet once or twice now, and had a small crash in it, but there is no way i can afford a new one yet. It probably is dangerous but we all do dangerous things.
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[Kickstart]

[Resurrection]

My helmet is about 2 months old.

Was marked down from £200 to £109 so i bought it.

now at £179

Its a Nolan f102 if im correct

At anything over about 30 MPH its well noisy

Res
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[sandino]