Helmet Lifespan....

[ruSTyEB]

Looking at replacing my lid shortly and was researching what the rule of  was for a helmets lifespan.  Mine is coming up on 6 years (3 years not worn) but the comfy lining has deteriorated into nothing.  It wasn't a cheap helmet, (a Shoei XR 1100) but the most comfortable at the time.

Given what I've read, I'll save some $ and update in the next 6 months or so, because a new head is out of my budget.

Anyway thought I'd post a link to a great disscution I found on Adventure Rider and collect some thoughts from our own ST Brains Trust.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=780904

[ruSTyEB]

I've also added a Poll for this one:

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=3714.0

[Brock]

I replace my helmet when the chinstrap starts to get frayed. The beard is a bit hard on the strap.

As for used / second hand helmets, no way. There is no way that you can get the history of the helmet, and as for the nasties in the previous owners hair????????

[Tackleberry]

Martin I just went through the same thing with a Shoei Multitec.  The inner lining started to fall out so I thought I will go to the RX1000 and found the lining had already deteriorated worse than the Multitec.  x2 Helmets = $1500.  Looked in wallet and found I was about $1495 short of what was needed.  Both helmets were about 4 years old. 

We use the Multitec at work and we have it for about 2 years before they will consider replacing, but that is due to finances. 

It really depends on the usage and what you use to clean the liner with as to how soon they deteriorate to a point where they aren't usable anymore. 

Different helmets will have different failure points too.  I had a Nolan that the bolts for chin strap rusted so I had to change it. 

[Poppy Dave]

I have a Shark Evoline 3 and can honestly say it is the best helmet I've ever had.

Previous helmets included; Shoei's, Nolan's, BMW's.

Poppy Dave                                             

[gaz]

i like KBC

[Streak]

The shark Evoline 3 is hands Down the best helmet I have ever had, toowoomba honda will also give you a great Ozstoc deal on one to :)

[Skip]

The flip face variety appear to be very popular amongst you STirers, although everything I've read about them says they are noisier and heavier than the normal full face. Gentlemen ?

[Bikebear]

I've had 4 flip face helmets in the last 8 years: RXT Duo, Nolan N102, Zeus 3000A, Shark Evoline 3.

All have been noisier than a standard open face mainly because they have lumps and bumps for the mechanism that standard helmets don't have. The noise is generated when the wind flows over the edges and bumps. If you put your hand up and deflect the wind in front of the helmet it will get quiet, of course this is pretty much impractical to do so the only thing left is to invest in earplugs.

I prefer the flip style, particularly in the hot climate here and I have to say the Shark has been the best of all the ones I've had but it's still noisy. I've been told the Shoei Multitec is fairly quiet but my offsider at work has both the Shoei and the Shark and he always wears the Shark in preference to the Shoei. The Shoei is also twice the price of the Shark.

[alans1100]

There's paying for a helmet and there's paying for name.

We have HJC helmets that cost us about $350 each back in 2009 and we'll be looking at those again. (price is about $500 now)

[Skip]

Thanks Bb. I have a KBC, which was a cheap helmet but the most comfortable I've ever had. Previously had Bell & Aria over many years. I've had the KBC for about 6 years but I don't ride near often enough. It's just starting to show signs of wear and tear. I will look at the RJays range when replacing the KBC, both the TSS and the SP2,  but I would have another KBC without too much hesitation. The venting could be better in the KBC however.   

[Bluey]

From this document:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/downloads/safer_motorcycle_helmets.pdf

                "A motorcycle helmet generally has a life of around five years; three years if used regularly."

They are plastic, after all, and will degrade with exposure to the elements, especially light. I think that a helmet must have the year of manufacture marked inside - mine have.