How old is to old for a helmet?

[speedysi]

Basically my mate has a Arai Quantum that he has only worn on a few track days,never dropped,always stored away from direct sunlight in a protective bag. Thing is its 5 years old. Should I buy or not? I know some people have said throw it away after 4 years. Is this because of UV?
Thanks

[Nope.]

Depends how much you value your skull.

Personally, if it conforms to law then I dont give a flying monkeys.

If you want to believe all the marketing crap about damage to glue and so on then go ahead. Im buying a 2 year old arai in a week for £165 thats never been worn because it came up. Im currently Rocking a HJC IS-Max which I bought new (And is pretty shit) and an Arai FV from 1998 that I got for £8 on ebay.

If you go second hand, give it a bloody good clean and disinfect. The germs of somebody else and all their hair grease are probably the only things wrong with it.
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Rogerborg]

[bikertomm]

I personally would'nt buy a second hand lid, even if it has just been used a few times, could still have moulded into a slightly different shape than your own noggin

I'm sure I saw some Arai Quantum's at George White Swindon the other day... Can't remember how much they were going for though.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Vincent]

Probably due to the fact that I wore a really old open face with half the padding removed and the wrong size for about 10 years, I'm not too fussy what I wear either but it's up to each individual to weigh up the odds and make a decision. Maybe wearing a £600+ helmet could make you feel less vulnerable and ride accordingly.

I'm looking for a new lid now too, a replacement visor for my Suomy isn't cheap so I figured I'd get myself a used Shark instead.
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Space Is Deep

[T.C]

[Skudd]

I would never buy a second hand helmet.

With regards my own lids, when I used to wear them everyday I changed them every 3-4 years, just because they wore out, the shell still looked good but the inner looked tired. the lid I have now is just on the 5 year mark and still looks and feels good, but as I don't wear it as often I will keep it a bit longer, or until I see one I like better.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Vin]

I wouldn't have a problem using a 5 year old helmet. However I would expect a second hand helmet to be very cheap.