How long do your helmets last?

[swiftee]

i dunno... i spend on helmets and gear. i like my head.

i'd rather wear a good helmet and ride a cheap little 2b bike

Edited September 14, 2010 by swiftee

[CSV]

I can share 2 experiences regarding HJC FF, which is why now i swear by it as a great value for money helmet.

 

First time, my 3 year old FS-Max accidentally rolled off my bike and onto the highway while i was wearing my raincoat. Kenna knocked by several cars, but the helmet was still in 1 piece. Not bad. Needless to say I discarded it to be safe.

 

I replaced it with the popular CL-ST, which I took to cambodia for a 4-day tour. Head-on collision on the second day with a scooter while doing about 60kph, scooter was doing at least 50. The impact launched me headfirst into a tree and after bouncing off the tree i found myself sliding face first in gravel. Other than a small 2mm cut on my chin, my head was alright. I would basically have been in the newspapers or disfigured if not for the fact that I was wearing a full face helmet. HJC apparently does the job right. Despite being cheap, it doesn't suffer in terms of quality.

 

My Gopro HD helmet cam was totally cool with the accident too. That's another tough little bugger for you.

 

please upload the video of the crash from 1st person perspective. good tool to scare newbies into getting full faces/riding safely.

[geneyeo]

Someone mentioned something about head-lining under the helmet? Reminds me of SSDC when I had to use the school's helmet. =-)

[lutein]

Plastic will degrade overtime. It may look nice and smooth on the outside but as it gets exposed to the elements, the plastic will become more brittle overtime and its protective ability will be reduced. Same goes for the foam lining.

 

This is also the reason why spraypainting your helmet may not be a good idea. The solvents in the paint may degrade the polycarbonate shell. It is important to make sure the paint does not contain solvents that may "melt" the plastic shell.

 

So you may use the "looks good, feels good" test but I prefer to use the time test - after 3 years, time to change helmet!

[summerdive]

conventionally, once u have had an encounter with hard impact, you will definitely need to change it, as i think it affects the structural integrity,

just my humble to cents worth.

[stwb1981]

well rules of the game...

 

Throw Away Any Helmet That Has Been Subjected To Hard Impact...

 

Buy What You Can Afford.... (A cheap full face oso done it job)

 

Expensive doesn't mean wont die...

Depends on hw u fly....

When it is time to meet your maker, it is time...

So

 

Pray/"Pai Pai" Hard....

[kmax]

upon reading this thread and tried to list the helmets i owned...

 

class 2B:

1. KISS helmet 30$, used for a year, lost at jb bike wash

2. MFizz open face 40$, used for a year, drop many times and fins are broken, thrown away

3. german style half cap, thought it looks cool to wear half cap but cannot tahan wind blow and safety. so sitting in store room for 3 years..

 

class 2A:

4. MHR viper 25$, used for 1 year, many scratches, still in my store room

5. Rjays Striker 180$, used for 2 years, drop many times, internal become stinky as i always put in box, still in my store room

 

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmn9hzAffdrz3liUrRYCsPG-88R21Klw1mTJMx7rmCktTQahs&t=1&usg=__RvEo3efBAPJ2tv-mna14Yei6nnE=

 

6. HJC CLS-R1, 130$, pillion helmet, used for 2 times, still in pristine condition, still in closet for 2 years

 

http://www.motoworld.com.sg/products/1016/large.jpg

 

class 2.

 

7. Arai Condor, St George Cross, used a few time, scared drop or scratch, still in closet for 1 year

 

http://www.brandedbiker.co.uk/img/products/CondorStGeorge_1.jpg

 

8. Shoet Hornet, didnt fit well, sold off in forum, less than 1 month.

 

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQy-M73FE9LZPDBJxa2O4UAw_kaQDkiK0dgRZNWABTrFGZO7Mo&t=1&usg=__imKjS7K76s_12Ol1FxltcnQJwZI=

 

9. Arai TX2, using everyday, airy, comfy and wide view, going for 8 months

 

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQexpBJ16nur8nB-vQLRUd6kj6es1E7z5EskmKK0O5V2XQUAx8&t=1&usg=__4IzHpQoFzaTWvCFwbcGMCO9bpc4=

 

10. Shoei Synchrotech, pillion helmet, changed internal cushion, using it for 1 year

 

http://www.aeroflowscreens.com/images/Sale/PB120032.JPG

 

11. MHR offroad helmet, only a few times for offroad, sitting in store room for a few months

 

12. Trax open face, got it from club, only for events, sitting in store room

 

 

need to dump those old stuff, let me know anyone wants

can give away 4 and 5, may be just to trade for new one at motoworld...

Edited October 7, 2010 by kmax

[stoner]

Hmm...

 

I could'nt agree more that the HJC CL & FG range are really value for $$$...

 

For me, I'm still holding on to my SHOEI X-8 XPII, it's almost 13 years old and although the external of the shell still looks fantastic… I don’t wear it…

 

I just ordered a new helmet inner liner for the XPII. Mainly, because I would like to have keep it as a memento. It may be old…but very time I look at it… It brings back sweet memories….touring Malaysia and Thailand with my Wife …10 over years ago…

 

Having said that, personally… I wouldn’t use a helmet beyond 3 years irregardless whether I use it daily or not… It’s not worth the risk not to mention my head (The most important part of my body) just to save a few $$$...

 

 

So long a helmet meets “DOT” standard… I’ll get it, just like the HJC’s mention above…

 

PSB standard? Can’t be borthered…

 

 

Just my 2 cents.

[spikes89]

i think shelf life of a helmet would be about 2-3 years.. best to change after...

[CSV]

the hjc is nice!!!!!!! so cheap 130?