How long before it is time to replace a motorcycle helmet?

[IMRU3]

I have bought a Can Am Spyder motorcycle helmet in 2010 and have been using the same thing. I have been contemplating on getting a new one. I do like the Spyder helmet from BRP, although I have read somewhere before that helmets need to be replaced a certain number of years. I already forgot the accurate data on that. I'm thinking of getting a Schuberth C3 Pro (modular) together with its communication system. Does anyone know from experience how light and comfortable this helmet is? Thank you for any feedback on this.

 

[cuznjohn]

helmet

avg is every 5 years

 

[Dan McNally]

I have bought a Can Am Spyder motorcycle helmet in 2010 and have been using the same thing. I have been contemplating on getting a new one. I do like the Spyder helmet from BRP, although I have read somewhere before that helmets need to be replaced a certain number of years. I already forgot the accurate data on that. I'm thinking of getting a Schuberth C3 Pro (modular) together with its communication system. Does anyone know from experience how light and comfortable this helmet is? Thank you for any feedback on this.

http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aWhyReplace

 

[ruthie]

Five years from the manufacture date. Look inside the helmet for this date

 

[PW2013STL]

I have bought a Can Am Spyder motorcycle helmet in 2010 and have been using the same thing. I have been contemplating on getting a new one. I do like the Spyder helmet from BRP, although I have read somewhere before that helmets need to be replaced a certain number of years. I already forgot the accurate data on that. I'm thinking of getting a Schuberth C3 Pro (modular) together with its communication system. Does anyone know from experience how light and comfortable this helmet is? Thank you for any feedback on this.[/QUOTE

I have an older Schuberth and it is on the heavy side, but a great helmet. You cannot go wrong with that brand, but I hope the new ones are lighter.
As others have stated 5 years for replacement.

 

[NancysToy]

Manufacturers vary on their recommendations. It is best to check with the manufacturer of your helmet. CanAm has used Scorpions, possibly among others. Some manufacturers say 3 yrs. some 5, and some more. I go by the Arai recommendation (which I wear)...5 years from date of first use or 7 years from date of manufacture, whichever is sooner. The date of manufacture can be found on a label inside the lining in most cases. If you are worried, I'd just replace it. A few hundred dollars is worth your peace of mind. JMHO

 

[Tango]

Five years from the manufacture date. Look inside the helmet for this date

And we have a winner! :firstplace: Perfect answer. :dg1: Tom :trike:

 

[BajaRon]

Scotty is right, recommendations vary, in part, because helmet quality and expected life span varies.

A good quality helmet, if cared for properly, should be more than good for 5 years from the date you put it into use. A good quality helmet, sitting in the retail box, stored in a cool dry environment does not deteriorate. It is usage, sun, heat, cold, sweat, oils from your skin and hair, and banging it around that ruins a helmet.

Cheaply made helmets usually start falling apart before 5 years goes by. It also depends on how much you're using it.

I have customers that are still wearing 15 year old Arai helmets. Personally, my feeling is if you tested one, it would still perform well within the original parameters. But that is the next part of the equasion. The safety standards continually get tougher and an older helmet, though perfect, might struggle to meet tougher standards.

 

[Wwulf76]

The day after you drop it or go rolling down the road at 50 mph. Mine was not even 24 hours when I found myself rolling through a busy intersection at 50 mph. It looked great but even a drop from 3 ft would require a replacement. Otherwise what the others said 3 - 5 years.

 

[NancysToy]

You did say the magic word Ron..."testing". Some manufacturers may want to make more money by replacing helmets frequently, but for the most part they are just worried. They are flying blind because they only test new helmets, so they err on the side of safety, and recommend replacement accordingly. I agree that if we tested old helmets many would pass, but use and storage conditions vary, so I'm sure a number of them also would not pass any longer. Personally, $100 a year for the privilege of wearing a good helmet is pretty reasonable. If you applied inflation I'm sure helmets today are correspondingly cheaper than the $125-$175 dollar Bell helmets we wore in 1965.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Our GWRRA chapter director was at a trike rider course in NW Washington a couple of years ago. One of the other attendees was from Canada. She said if an officer stops you for any reason they will check your helmet. If the mfg date is more than 5 years it's ticket time. So apparently in Canada it's the law - 5 years from mfg date.

 

[IMRU3]

Thank you to all of your input. I appreciate it a lot. :clap:

 

[BajaRon]

Our GWRRA chapter director was at a trike rider course in NW Washington a couple of years ago. One of the other attendees was from Canada. She said if an officer stops you for any reason they will check your helmet. If the mfg date is more than 5 years it's ticket time. So apparently in Canada it's the law - 5 years from mfg date.

Rule of thumb is just that. A rule that if everyone follows, you'll probably have no issues. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of getting a helmet too soon. You can't go wrong doing that and it's great for business!

Arai warranties and recommends their helmets as 100% safe for up to 7 years from the manufacture date, 5 full years from the date put into service (up to that 7 year limit). Arai is extremely conservative in their recommendations. If nothing else, this means that a well made helmet can sit in the box for at least 2 years without any perceptible change.

The problem with a law is that it has to be 1 size fits all. You can't expect the officer to know which helmet is which or carry a list of longer lasting helmets, etc. So, for some helmets the 5 year rule is actually quite unsafe. For other helmets it forces you to toss a perfectly good helmet.

But as in all things, there are ways around this too! Having many European helmet customers (the land of the helmet Nazis) where helmets are VERY expensive, creates innovative solutions.

Some of us love a challenge! hyea:

 

[Bob Denman]

After all; it is better to, "err on the side of caution.", in this regard. :thumbup:

 

[OJ UK]

I have a Schuberth S2 which is a fabulous helmet very quiet but heavy.
I bought a Lazer Monaco Carbon helmet that is comfortable and light and
has great ventilation and is guaranteed for five years.
( http://www.lazerhelmets.com/guarantee/ )

 

[flaggerphil]

I've used Shoei helmets exclusively since 2009, both because of their fit, and the fact that they're both DOT and Snell rated. This is their policy:

WHEN SHOULD A HELMET BE REPLACED?

The life of a helmet depends on how it is used. A helmet should be replaced if one or more of the following points apply:
1. There was a fall that resulted in an impact on the helmet.
2. The helmet fits looser than when it was purchased due to frequent use.
3. The EPS liner has come away from the helmet shell.
4. The EPS liner shows signs of wear and is beginning to break up, or if it has been exposed to heat or a solvent and has melted.
SERVICE: SHOEI helmets are covered by a five-year, limited warranty, and SHOEI will repair or replace the helmet if it is found to suffer from flaws in materials or workmanship.
Shoei offers a free impact and safety inspection service for any SHOEI helmet.*

To have your helmet inspected, please send it to:
Shoei Helmets
3002 Dow Ave, Suite 128
Tustin, CA 92780
Attn: Inspections
Be sure to include a letter with a brief description of the issue with the helmet, as well as a daytime phone number and return address. Once we receive the helmet, it will take 1-3 business days to complete the inspection. Upon completion, the helmet is returned to you with a letter stating the findings of our inspection. Your helmet is returned to you whether it passes the inspection or not. There is no charge for the inspection, and the UPS Ground return shipping is free.

-----------------------------------------------------

I've sent helmets back twice...both times they said it was ok. When I've talked to Shoei reps they've told me that, barring an impact or what's written below, the helmet should be replaced no more than five years after you start using it.

I used to use Simpson helmets and, at the time, they also did free inspections. Don't know if they still do or not.

 

[cognaccruiser]

As other have stated the "golden rule of thumb" based on averages of time and storage conditions etc, seems to generally be 5 years from the date of commencement of usage. Dropping one changes that. I can't add to what has been said concerning when to replace one.

The OP asked about Schuberth C3 Pro. My wife got a new C3 Pro a few months ago. It is quite light and VERY quiet. She wore it at the shop where purchased for about 1 1/2 hours and it was still comfortable. The important thing will be if it is comfortable to someone else. I also wore one that day and after about 30 to 45 minutes it became obvious that there was a spot that was starting to feel like a pressure point. I ended up with a Shoei Neotec because it fit me better. I really wanted the Schuberth but it would have been wrong for me, not that the Shoei isn't great.

With respect to Police in Canada inspecting helmets for how old they are and stopping people or ticketing them, I have never heard of this and I've ridden for a long time and have lived in 2 provinces while riding. Our provinces are much like your States, each one has their own laws, and hence broad brush rules are a little suspect. I live in British Columbia and about 2 years ago, give or take, this province did pass a law stating roughly that novelty helmets that did not have a DOT sticker were illegal. They were particularly targeting the beanie style of helmet that is popular with certain "groups" or "attitudes" for lack of a better word. Similarly, I have not heard much about bikers being stopped for this but perhaps if a stop is made they include that in their inspection.

My 2 cents.

Cheers, Gary

 

[Purple Guy]

http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aWhyReplace

Thanks for the link! :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

All good information here. If you are going to err, then do it on the conservative side. A few extra bucks now is a good insurance policy in some cases.

 

[napper39]

then my helment i got with my 1966 triumph tt spe,is no longer any good:yikes: