Seems like i saw some where that you should replace your helmets every 3 years???? Is this ture or some one trying to move more product....Jerry

 

If it's taken care of, cleaned not kicked around,etc.. 3 years is about right. The liner will begin to ?soften? up after a while and fit a little loose. Kind of like the sofa cushions.

 

The Snell Memorial Foundation, one of the big motorcycle safety groups, suggests replacing a helmet every 5 years, assuming it has not been dropped or impacted heavily.

http://www.smf.org/

"
The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production over can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy."

As for replacing a helmet after it's been dropped, here's what Snell says ...

"Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we [Snell] certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred."

 

I have a helmet that hasn't been worn for ten years. No Hair oils, body fluids or cosmetics, and no wear and tear. Is it still good? I'm thinking of making it into a planter.

 

Thats the first thing that happens with a new helmet, you set it on the seat and it magically rolls off and hits the pavement. Old helmets don't do this, only new ones.

 

The problem is with the glues and resins like someone said above. After time these will start to fail, but the shell should stay fine for more than 5 years.

 

seems like cheap insurance to me; 20-30 bucks a year for helmet replacement.
The padding/foam is what protects the old noggin. The synthetic makeup ofit can deteriorate over time and not provide the shock absorbing quality it should.

 

There is also UV to consider, I replace mine at 3 years , keep the spares for friends that want to go for a ride and don't have one . I wear a Schampa headskin to keep the inside funk controlled.

 

Check the warranty period, thats a good indicator. I wear a Shoei RF-1000 warranted for 5 years.