Do helmets have a shelf life?

In general, yes: Helmets have an expiration date. That's because exposure to sunlight, heat, and other elements degrades the foam and other parts of the helmet. Plus, helmets tend to get knocked around with use. You don't want to mess around with something designed to save your life.

How long do helmets last before they expire?

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 do you tell if a helmet is expired?

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.

Do motorcycle helmets have a life?

Yes, your helmet does have a lifespan, and a fairly short one at that. The industry standard states that the lifespan of a motorcycle helmet is five years. That is as long as you have not cut its life short by an accident or impact to it. If that happens you should definitely not use it, time to trash it!

How many years is a motorcycle helmet good for?

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.

Myth busting: do motorbike helmets have to be replaced after five years?︱Cross Training Adventure

Do motorcycle helmets go out of date?

It's true friend, helmets expire; just like yoghurts, medicines or love…well, love for motorcycles, that's for ever!

Do Shoei helmets expire?

A: According to Shoei, its helmets should be replaced five years after the purchase date, or seven years after the production date. The production date is on a sticker inside the helmet under the padding near the ear.

How long do unused motorcycle helmets last?

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.

What do you do with old motorcycle helmets?

Does dropping a helmet ruin it?

Dropping a helmet from a short height causes minor damage to your helmet. Major drops or an accident can damage the EPS liner of your helmet. Damage to the EPS liner, which absorbs the energy, can compromise the safety ability of your helmet.

Do unused bike helmets expire?

A bike helmet does not have an expiration date, but should be replaced every 5 years. In addition, a bike helmet should be replaced after a bike crash or if you spot any cracks or defects. The Snell Memorial Foundation is a group that have been testing and setting safety standards for all types of protective gear.

Do bike helmets deteriorate?

It's often recommended that a helmet worn frequently should be replaced every 3 years or so. The reason is that the foam degrades due to sun, heat, salty sweat and other environmental factors, added to the usual knocks of regular cycling activity.

Why do bike helmets expire?

There are a lot of things that degrade over time, like the foam and glue used in the helmet. Your body oils, sweat and UV rays also take a toll on the material, and after five years, it is for sure compromised and not offering the intended level of protection.

Is it safe to use an old motorcycle helmet?

As well as damage to the EPS lining, the outer shell of the helmet could also be compromised. Microfractures that you might not be able to see could form in the shell of the helmet once it is dropped or crashed in, this will significantly weaken the structure.

What do you do with an expired helmet?

Helmets are made of a mixture of materials that aren't easily separated, and thus will likely get discarded outright if you throw them in your recycling bin. In other words, you can save time by simply binning it yourself from the start.

Can you sell second hand motorbike helmets?

Whilst a helmet may look in good condition if it is damaged it may offer no protection in the event of an accident. For this reason we recommend you do not sell second- hand crash helmets, visors and other safety helmets unless you can personally verify their history.

How can you tell how old a motorcycle helmet is?

So, when you buy a new helmet, ask about the date of manufacture and if the retailer can't identify that date, find out by doing your own research. My next helmet will be an Arai too and now I know how to find out when it was manufactured. There's a label in the chin strap with a capital letter representing the year.

How often should you get a new motorcycle helmet?

Crashes aside, many bike helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every three to five years.

Where is the manufacture date on a helmet?

However, some types of helmets are manufactured which have some numbers written on the stripes or buckles, which is used to indicate that the helmet has been manufactured. The way 03/07 is written, it means that it was created in the month of March 2007.

Do Arai helmets expire?

All Arai helmets are warranted against defects in material and workmanship, and as serviceable only for the properly fitted first user for 5 years after purchase, but no more than 7 years from the date of manufacture.

What does dot mean on a helmet?

DOT-certified helmets are designed to protect the head during most types of motorcycle crash impacts. The helmets are tested under conditions that simulate a moderate impact at up to 250 times the force of gravity (250g). DOT helmets are designed to absorb the force of the crash rather than resisting the impact.

Are MIPS helmets worth it?

The results of the study showed that the MIPS and SPIN helmets were more successful in reducing the risk of brain trauma and injuries by 42% and 54% respectively. Another study was published in May 2021 to determine the effectiveness of new bike helmet technologies in mitigating brain injuries caused by oblique forces.

How much force does it take to crack a bike helmet?

Evaluation of the helmet-only compression data showed initial cracking that occurred in the range of 100– 200 lbf. The average cracking force was found to be 140 lbf. The skull and helmet assembly could not be crushed in the compression stand even under the maximum force experienced by the load cell (470 lbf).

Should I replace my bike helmet after a crash?

A rule most safety supervisors and manufacturers emphasize on following strictly is replacing a bike helmet immediately after a crash. One should remember that bike helmets are designed to absorb force upon impact, which may cause the inner foam to be damaged even if the exterior bounces back to its usual appearance.

Are HJC helmets good?

HJC helmets are extremely comfortable, stylish and use top quality materials and safety features. We love HJC's price points too. They are reasonably priced especially given the sheer number of features they have. Bike riders of all budgets can afford to get a good quality helmet through HJC.