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Dropped Helmet - Replace?

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eifion
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Joined: 13 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: 17:28 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Dropped Helmet - Replace? Reply with quote

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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panrider_uk
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PostPosted: 17:30 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

A drop from that height onto concrete - I'd replace it.
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Robbeh
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PostPosted: 19:10 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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1198
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PostPosted: 20:09 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Give it to the character formerly as Bodyguard. Have a whip round on BCF to raise the money for postage.
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MCN
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PostPosted: 20:54 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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-Matt-
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PostPosted: 21:56 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

MCN wrote:
The inner polystyrene liner is the working part so with no mass inside it won't be affected by a drop.
It might not be affected by the drop. But it could be.

Personally, i'd keep using it.
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Islander
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PostPosted: 23:00 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Nytol
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PostPosted: 23:04 - 01 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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eifion
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PostPosted: 09:31 - 02 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nytol wrote:

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


That's what I thought - especially with the litigious nature of the US I doubt the Arai guy would say it was OK if there was the slightest chance it wasn't.
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Llama-Farmer
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PostPosted: 09:59 - 02 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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eifion
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PostPosted: 10:11 - 02 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Llama-Farmer wrote:
What brand is the helmet?


It's a Shark, can't see anything on their website about a test centre.
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Tinkz
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PostPosted: 10:57 - 02 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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? Wink
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eifion
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PostPosted: 12:21 - 02 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tinkz wrote:
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? Wink


If it *needs* replacing then yes I'll replace it right away. But I don't want to end up spending 150 squids if there's no actual reason to, just for "peace of mind init". The question isn't so much "should I replaced damaged lid" but "is my lid damaged, given the thing that happened"
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someotherguy
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PostPosted: 14:47 - 06 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personally, I'd keep using it, but it's your head!
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thx1138
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PostPosted: 17:20 - 06 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

if you decide to throw it away, sell it to me for a couple of quid instead Thumbs Up
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Ariel Badger
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PostPosted: 21:32 - 06 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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eddiewallace
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PostPosted: 05:03 - 07 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends on how much the damage is. Since you say the visor mechanism is damaged, I would suggest a replacement.
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ReadySalted
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PostPosted: 08:18 - 07 Aug 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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