Old model for Arai & shoei

[Sn0w_MaN]

I notice some shop in singapore is selling some older model for Arai & shoei, indirectly they are clearing stock so letting go at a cheaper price (10%-20% cheaper). My concern is that, i understand from some frens that Arai have a shell life of 5yrs so after that the protection for the impact is not that good. So if that is true and those older model that available for sale is abt 1-2yrs ago model am i right to say that the shell life is only 3yrs?

 

I am just asking for view cause some of us dont mind paying for a cheaper price to get a older model but if the shell life is only less then 3yrs then no point paying 600++? I am not too sure if other brand have the 5yrs protection thing..

[Xrdude712]

Got such thing as lifespan ah...

[jjongkp]

Maybe it refers to the lifespan of the foam liners and padding.

[whitepomfret]

Maybe it refers to the lifespan of the foam liners and padding.

 

You said it quite right. And in your comment, there are a few physics factors at play:

 

1. Loosing the Firm fit (padding) and the ding-dong-bell effect of the head in the shell in times of accident:Our heads need to sit in the helmet firmly with little movement. There is no secondary impact within the helmet in a crash. The only impact is from outside. But for a loose old helmet, the skull hits the helmet inside too. Double pressure compression on the EPS . ... which brings the next item to the discussion, the EPS...

 

 

2. The ability for the EPS (foam) to take the compression is part of the key to skull crack prevention. Arai recommends helmets be changed every 5 years (http://www.araiamericas.com/support.asp?page=support/warranty.asp). AGV recommends 5 years from purchase and 7 years from manufacturing (AGV through Revzilla: http://www.revzilla.com/agv-helmets-faq-frequently-asked-questions). An interesting source is MET, the bicycle helmet manufacturer. An honest manufacturer: MET. Here's an extract from MET:

 

"The Italian company MET says in their 2010 catalog:

"We are often asked 'For how long is a helmet safe?', or 'how often should I replace my helmet?”' Until now it has been difficult to find any reliable figures to help answer these queries. MET have now developed a series of tests which are conducted on aged helmets to determine a 'best before' date (unless the helmet is involved in an accident. In that case it should be replaced immediately.). The results indicate that, if used properly accordingly to our owner manual, our helmets will still do their job up to eight years after they have been made. Not only is that good news for the customer, it’s great news for the environment!"

 

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) applauds MET for undertaking an actual testing program on helmet life and for making that statement. They regard it as a triumph of integrity over marketing. MET's helmets are made with industry standard shells and liners, so there is no reason BHSI can see that their recommendation should not be good for many other helmet brands as well. If another manufacturer comes up with a testing program that shows earlier deterioration in the protection from their products BHSI will review their page.

 

In sum, we don't find the case for replacing a helmet that meets the ASTM or Snell standards that compelling if the helmet is still in good shape and fits you well. "

From : http://www.helmets.org/replace.htm

 

So now how? I'm in the same query state as you! My head goes change! My wallet says "no way!". So to answer your question the discount the shops give on old helmets are not really discounts but real depreciated value of the helmet - of what it's worth after manufacturing date. So you hunch is right. It's not worth it after all!

(Tip: check the manufacturing date when you buy a helmet. Like buying tires and canned food. Same same!)

 

I have old helmets, an old Arai RX7 version 4 and an even older Shoei freeway of an early 80s vintage (My first helmet that was given to me)! I love them both, but I think I'm wearing them at risk.

 

I wear my relatively 2-year old Arai SZRam4 and AGV RP60 for every day use.

 

I need a full face for touring, but tour so little that I find it 'not worth while' to invest in a new full face helmet .... I guess until an accident which will cost waaayyyy more than a new helmet will!!

 

Cheers!

whitepomfret

Edited August 13, 2013 by whitepomfret

[jjongkp]

Good informative reply

[Sn0w_MaN]

whitepomfret - that is a very good review on how u understand abt helmet.. i dont understand how do you check the helmet manufacturing date? I call up chiaplee about purchasing arai but they told me they dont have much stock now for design model so got to pay deposit and order and wait for 3mths.

 

This is the tricky part, you pay a 10-20% of the deposit and when item arrive the manufacturing date is quite 2yrs old so indirectly u only have 3yrs of lifespan to use. You cant get a refund you cant exchange then you only can use cause you dont have a choice...

 

You said it quite right. And in your comment, there are a few physics factors at play:

 

1. Loosing the Firm fit (padding) and the ding-dong-bell effect of the head in the shell in times of accident:Our heads need to sit in the helmet firmly with little movement. There is no secondary impact within the helmet in a crash. The only impact is from outside. But for a loose old helmet, the skull hits the helmet inside too. Double pressure compression on the EPS . ... which brings the next item to the discussion, the EPS...

 

 

2. The ability for the EPS (foam) to take the compression is part of the key to skull crack prevention. Arai recommends helmets be changed every 5 years (http://www.araiamericas.com/support.asp?page=support/warranty.asp). AGV recommends 5 years from purchase and 7 years from manufacturing (AGV through Revzilla: http://www.revzilla.com/agv-helmets-faq-frequently-asked-questions). An interesting source is MET, the bicycle helmet manufacturer. An honest manufacturer: MET. Here's an extract from MET:

 

"The Italian company MET says in their 2010 catalog:

"We are often asked 'For how long is a helmet safe?', or 'how often should I replace my helmet?”' Until now it has been difficult to find any reliable figures to help answer these queries. MET have now developed a series of tests which are conducted on aged helmets to determine a 'best before' date (unless the helmet is involved in an accident. In that case it should be replaced immediately.). The results indicate that, if used properly accordingly to our owner manual, our helmets will still do their job up to eight years after they have been made. Not only is that good news for the customer, it’s great news for the environment!"

 

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) applauds MET for undertaking an actual testing program on helmet life and for making that statement. They regard it as a triumph of integrity over marketing. MET's helmets are made with industry standard shells and liners, so there is no reason BHSI can see that their recommendation should not be good for many other helmet brands as well. If another manufacturer comes up with a testing program that shows earlier deterioration in the protection from their products BHSI will review their page.

 

In sum, we don't find the case for replacing a helmet that meets the ASTM or Snell standards that compelling if the helmet is still in good shape and fits you well. "

From : http://www.helmets.org/replace.htm

 

So now how? I'm in the same query state as you! My head goes change! My wallet says "no way!". So to answer your question the discount the shops give on old helmets are not really discounts but real depreciated value of the helmet - of what it's worth after manufacturing date. So you hunch is right. It's not worth it after all!

(Tip: check the manufacturing date when you buy a helmet. Like buying tires and canned food. Same same!)

 

I have old helmets, an old Arai RX7 version 4 and an even older Shoei freeway of an early 80s vintage (My first helmet that was given to me)! I love them both, but I think I'm wearing them at risk.

 

I wear my relatively 2-year old Arai SZRam4 and AGV RP60 for every day use.

 

I need a full face for touring, but tour so little that I find it 'not worth while' to invest in a new full face helmet .... I guess until an accident which will cost waaayyyy more than a new helmet will!!

 

Cheers!

whitepomfret

[Kushinagar]

whitepomfret - that is a very good review on how u understand abt helmet.. i dont understand how do you check the helmet manufacturing date? I call up chiaplee about purchasing arai but they told me they dont have much stock now for design model so got to pay deposit and order and wait for 3mths.

 

This is the tricky part, you pay a 10-20% of the deposit and when item arrive the manufacturing date is quite 2yrs old so indirectly u only have 3yrs of lifespan to use. You cant get a refund you cant exchange then you only can use cause you dont have a choice...

 

 

There should be three stickers within your helmet interior (Foam), i.e Snell No (Brown color), Manufacturing date (Blue) & Sizing (White) stickers

 

This should not be the case. When you ordered (Depending on order submission), then the helmet will be produced. Normally will takes about 2.5mths to complete plus delivery to sg, which is why you are told it will take 3 mths. The manufacture date for your ordered helmet should be the previous month in the format stated on the blue sticker as YYMMDD. If you receive the helmet and the manufacturing date is 2 years ago, you don't accept it.

 

Regards

Andrew

[whitepomfret]

There should be three stickers within your helmet interior (Foam), i.e Snell No (Brown color), Manufacturing date (Blue) & Sizing (White) stickers

 

This should not be the case. When you ordered (Depending on order submission), then the helmet will be produced. Normally will takes about 2.5mths to complete plus delivery to sg, which is why you are told it will take 3 mths. The manufacture date for your ordered helmet should be the previous month in the format stated on the blue sticker as YYMMDD. If you receive the helmet and the manufacturing date is 2 years ago, you don't accept it.

 

Regards

Andrew

 

 

Yup! I totally agree with that.

 

Be wise and not gullible. If you check the standard helmets that get sold as their bread and butter models SZRam4 for example, you'll notice they are generally only about 5 months old. It tells that they stocks move fast. The special high-priced limited edition pcs will take time to find their owners. unlikely 2 years.

 

An ethical shop would probably knock the price down proportionately. Others ....