Dropped Helmet - Replace?

[eifion]

Dropped my lid today from handlebar height to concrete floor. The impact was on the top of the lid then rolled on it side and scratched the visor.

Normally I wouldn't worry about it, there was nothing in it, but it was enough of a hit to pop out the mechanism that holds the visor. Should it be replaced? Happy to spend the money to replace if it's damaged and won't do its job, but don't want to spend unnecessarily. The shell isn't cracked and the EPS seems OK from the inside anyway (obviously I can't see the bit between the outer shell and the foam)
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SR125 -> 6 year gap -> SV650 -> Deauville -> NC750X -> Vstrom 650

[panrider_uk]

A drop from that height onto concrete - I'd replace it.
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[Beehive Bedlam]

I would continue using it when you ride every day you're bound to drop it/bang it a few times.

[Robbeh]

Everyone's opinions differ on this. I would say it's ok but people will slag me off for it. It all depends in your mind how much force it hit the concrete with. If you can pull out the spongy bits inside and check for any damage obviously if there is then replace.

[1198]

Give it to the character formerly as Bodyguard. Have a whip round on BCF to raise the money for postage.

[MCN]

Helmets are drop tested with a mass inside that substitutes a head. The drop is much higher than 4 ft off a handle bar and tbose they only certify those that pass without damage. If just paint damage use it. The inner polystyrene liner is the working part so with no mass inside it won't be affected by a drop.

[-Matt-]

[Islander]

Depends on how risk averse you are. If there's no visible damage to the shell or polystyrene liner then it'll probably be fine. It may have been weakened but it's fairly unlikely.

I'd use it.

[Nytol]

Have a look on youtube for the video with Jay Leno and the main man at Arai where they discuss this very thing.

He says that an impact without a head in the helmet is very different to one with a head in the helmet, and that they will be fine.

I have to think that he is being honest, as it would actually be in his interest to say the opposite.

[eifion]

[Llama-Farmer]

What brand is the helmet?


Some of the more premium brands (Arai/Shoei etc) have regional centres (sometimes even at approved retailers) that can properly inspect for any damage. If you're close to one it could be worth that check.

Doesn't cost anything afaik, friend of a friend had exactly this same thing, knocked an Arai off the seat and onto a kerb, free inspection, all good, used it for another few years.
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Current Bike: 1999 Honda CB600 FX Hornet
Next Bike: I want a CBR-RR. And I want an F800 GS-A. And a VFR 800. Can I have all 3?
Dream Bikes: Honda VFR750R RC30, Honda NSR500, Ducati 996 R

[eifion]

[Tinkz]

obviously you are concerned or you wouldn't have posted on here, this would be enough to make me buy another. I know its going to cost a fair bit to replace but how much do you value your head!!

You don't want to end up a doughnut, do you?
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I can resist everything.........except temptation!

[eifion]

[someotherguy]

Personally, I'd keep using it, but it's your head!

[thx1138]

if you decide to throw it away, sell it to me for a couple of quid instead

[Ariel Badger]

It will be fine, all it has done is impact the outer shell with no real load on the important shock absorbing inner.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[eddiewallace]

Depends on how much the damage is. Since you say the visor mechanism is damaged, I would suggest a replacement.

[ReadySalted]

I watched an video a while back where Jay Leno interviewed an Arai rep and the Arai guy said categorically that when you drop your lid, if it's not got anything inside it then it should be fine. Unless of course it's obviously damaged. The fact that your visor popped off was probably just due to the way it landed.

I think this age old thing that when you drop your lid, it's dangerous to wear comes from older helmets.

The way Arai put it is that; when your head is in your lid and it bounces off an object, then the area where it impacts is crushed inside by your bonce pushing into it, which spreads the shock. When you drop it with nothing inside then there's nothing to compress the insides of it so as long as there's no visible damage then it should be fine.

I did the same thing 2 weeks after buying my Arai helmet and it scuffed the paint on top, but I think it's fine so use it as normal now.

If it's time to buy a new lid anyway, and you've got the cash, then you could be super safe and go for it. But personally I think you're fine.