Do motorcycle helmets really 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.

Do unused helmets expire?

There is a common "fact" out there that you should replace a helmet after 5 years, regardless of use or crashes as there is concern that the crush properties of the foam may have changed (e.g., hardening) which could provide less protection.

How many years is a motorcycle helmet good for?

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 do you know if a helmet is expired?

Safety helmets don't actually come stamped with an expiration date, but they do have a date of manufacture stamp that you can use to calculate the maximum lifespan. The stamp is as easy to read as a clock face, but it's up to you to figure out when the helmet should be replaced.

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.

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

How do I know if my bike helmet is expired?

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.

Is a 20 year old helmet still good?

Cycling helmets are single-use safety devices. Once you compress the foam underneath the helmet's plastic shell, it can no longer protect you. That's true whether your helmet is 20 years old or you just bought it yesterday. Any physical damage to the foam means your helmet can't do its job.

Do you really need to replace your motorcycle helmet?

The Snell Foundation, a standard-setting body that's known to be one of the strictest in terms of helmet safety, says that normal wear-and-tear is enough to recommend helmet replacement every five years or so, though this is a judgment call, and wouldn't apply, for example, to an unused helmet stored in good condition.

How often are you supposed to replace motorcycle helmets?

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.

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.

How long are HJC helmets good for?

Due to UV damage, adhesive and component aging, and other, HJC recommends changing a helmet every 3 to 5 years.

What to do with expired helmets?

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.

Do Harley Davidson helmets expire?

Yes, motorcycle helmets do have definite expiration dates and could become less effective in the event of an auto accident. Ask yourself these questions to determine whether or not it's time for a replacement.

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.

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.

Can you wear old motorcycle helmets?

Some might suggest that there could be degradation in the lamination of the shell. And whilst these outcomes are possible, a helmet that has sat in a box in a properly aired room for four or five years should still perform its primary role. An old helmet may look like new, but it will become less safe over time.

What do you do with old bike helmets?

Most local recycling programs don't want mixed materials. So your best solution may be to take the helmet apart, put the plastic shell in your plastic recycling, break up the EPS foam for use as packing material or a soil amendment, and pitch the strap and buckle in the trash.

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.

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.

Do bike helmets have a used by date?

Yes and no. Both Shoei and Arai state that their manufacturers warranty is either 7 years from manufacture date, or 5 years from purchase from a retailer, whichever comes first. So if you ever need to use the manufacturers warranty, replace your helmet every 5 years.

What is the expiry date on a hard hat?

MSA hard hat shells should be used no longer than 5 years, while suspensions should be replaced after 12 months. Both are the maximum time frame for replacement, calculated from date of first use. The date of manufacture is stamped or molded onto the hard hat shell, usually on the underside of the brim.

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.

When should I change my bike helmet?

A cycling helmet is generally good for around 5 years, after that, you will want to replace your bike helmet. This is because the polystyrene foam that protects you degrades over time, mainly as a result of UV exposure to sunlight.

What does HJC helmets stand for?

HJC is short for Hong Jin Crown Company, a South Korean firm that started making riot and safety helmets back in 1971. They're known for producing good value low and mid-priced helmets that often offer some pretty innovative and useful features.