How old can a racing helmet be?

While Snell/FIA/SFI helmets display a manufacture date range on their certification labels and “age out” after no more than 15 years, ECE helmets with the currently accepted label may be more than 20 years old.

Do racing helmets expire?

Even with the 10 year maximum rating life, the SNELL foundation recommends cycling helmets out after 5 years… or immediately, if they are involved in a serious crash.

How long are helmets good for?

The government testing body in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recommends replacing a bicycle helmet every five to 10 years. The Snell Memorial Foundation, which also certifies helmets for safety, states a firm five years.

How long is a Simpson Racing helmet good for?

Snell recommends you replace your helmet every 5 years. Your helmet should be inspected by a professional following any impact. Remember, you only have one head and racing is a dangerous sport. If you are in doubt regarding your helmet's performance and integrity, get a new one.

How long is a SFI helmet good for?

SFI 38.1 head and neck restraints must be recertified every 5 years to maintain SFI certification. All devices that pass inspection will receive a new SFI 38.1 conformance sticker marked with the inspection date. The recertification will remain valid for 5 years.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Old Racing Helmet

Can a racing helmet be recertified?

Helmets can't be sent back to Bell Racing to be recertified or homologated to the latest standard. The date of manufacture of the helmet is tied specifically to the standard to which it was certified when it was produced.

Do SFI ratings expire?

SFI Dates & Our Policy

Some SFI Approvals do have an expiration date. Time-limited parts will have a label that lists the expiration date. However, this does not mean the product is no longer good after that date. Some products can be inspected and recertified.

How long is a Snell 2010 helmet good for?

Member. The 2010 Snell Helmet expires 1/1/2022. The Snell Foundation recommends replacing a helmet every 5 years.

Is Snell 2015 still good?

The Snell Foundation states that “unused helmets stored in good condition do not automatically expire after five years.” This means that the SA2015 helmet model can be used until 2025 or more, provided that it's in good condition and safe to use.

How long are racing harnesses good for?

Off-road enthusiasts are told to replace their harnesses every two years. For racing, SFI tags only last two years from the date sold, and need to be replaced if you want to pass tech.

How old can a motorcycle helmet be?

Helmet manufacturers recommend that you replace your helmet 3 to 5 years from the 'date of manufacture'. Helmet replacement is also endorsed by the Snell Memorial Foundation which recommends that “motorcycle helmets be replaced after five (5) years of first use, or less if the manufacturer so recommends.”

Do unused motorcycle helmets expire?

Helmets have a limited lifespan because the resin and other materials used in the manufacturing process over time can be effected by your body fluids, hair oils, ultraviolet light and normal wear and tear. It is prudent advice to replace your helmet 5 years after purchase or 7 years after the production date.

How often should I change my helmet?

The consensus from helmet manufacturers is that the rider should replace their helmets every five years. That may seem like a lot, depending on how often you ride. This rule mostly applies to riders that hit the road every day. Riding for hours on end will only cause your helmet to degrade that much faster.

How long do Arai helmets last?

Like most major helmet manufacturers, Arai subscribes to the Snell Memorial Foundation benchmark of five years as the suggested usable lifespan of a motorcycle helmet.

How do you know when your motorcycle helmet expires?

It's important to look at when your helmet was made. All helmets made after 1974 have a production date stamp on them. If your helmet doesn't have a stamp, it's well past its expiration date.

How long is a SA 2020 helmet good for?

Every 5 years, the Snell Memorial Foundation rolls out a new "SA" (Special Application) helmet standard.

What does Snell certified mean?

Helmets are certified only after meeting all test requirements at the Snell lab. Then, samples of certified helmets sold to consumers are bought randomly from retailers for more compliance testing. Snell certified helmets means high impact management and premium head protection.

What does Snell M2015 mean?

The Snell M2015 Standard

The M2015 motorcycle helmet safety standard, known as the Snell standard for “Protective Headgear For Use With Motorcycles and Other Motorized Vehicles” has been published by the Snell Memorial Foundation.

Which helmet is best for racing?

Which certification is best for helmet?

Snell certification involves more rigorous and more extensive testing which would suggest it is the better motorcycle helmet standard. ECE certification is the most up-to-date current standard and it is recognized in most countries.

What is certified helmet?

DOT Certification for Motorcycle Helmet

DOT follows the standards and regulations from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). DOT certification ensures the most basic and least margin of safety features. Hence those helmets which are not even DOT certified those can't be considered as a motorcycle helmet.

What does SFI stand for?

SFI was originally a foundation run by SEMA, the automotive aftermarket trade organization. The letters “SFI” stood for “SEMA Foundation, Inc.” Although SFI is now completely independent from SEMA, the Foundation has retained the name SFI Foundation, Inc.

What does SFI 16.1 mean?

The most common required certification is SFI 16.1. Generally, when your race sanction says they require an SFI approved belt, this rating will do the job. When certifying for 16.1, SFI applies a load over a body block of 5,750lbs each on the laps and shoulders and over the complete 5 or 6 point assembly.

What is an SFI helmet?

The SFI 24.1 rating means that the Nomex interior and paint are fire retardant as well as the Kevlar(R) chin strap, so the RaceQuip PRO Youth Helmet should be suitable for use in all kids or Jr. motorsports series, sanctions, youth auto racing events, and even karting.

What is M rated helmet?

Helmets with an M-rating or DOT-ratings are not acceptable. Motorcycle helmets do not have the proper safety requirements for car use, specifically a rollbar multi-impact test. Helmets MUST have one of these two labels on the inside.