Helmet Deterioration

Message

kabob983 · #1 Unread post by **kabob983** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:39 am

Question,

I read that you should replace a helmet every 5 years because the liner breaks down. What if you buy a helmet that was made in say, 2002, but it has never been worn? Do you replace it 5 years from the manufacture date or 5 years from when you start wearing it??

CNF2002 · #2 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:42 am

From the date of manufacture. It deteriorates as it sits on the shelf (or so I have read when researching helmets).

Popular brand helmets in busy dealers are best to buy, because at some places a helmet could be sitting on the shelve for several months. Wholesale helmets may have been bought from other inventories and could be much older.

Lion_Lady · #3 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:47 am

I believe that Arai will warrant a helmet to 7 years from manufacture date. At that point they no longer support replacement parts or anything else. Gotta be a liability issue more than anything else.

IF the helmet has not been worn yet, then it will still be in decent condition (body oils and outdoor conditions are what accelerate the aging).

P

kabob983 · #4 Unread post by **kabob983** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:59 am

Reason I asked is because I see on ebay all the time "NIB" but ask and the build date is 2/02 or something like that...wondered if I should steer clear...

TechTMW · #5 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:48 am

Unless you've tried on the exact model and size helmet you are looking at on Ebay, it's best to steer clear. An ill fitting helmet is terrible - and a waste of money.

CNF2002 · #6 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:25 am

I would be worried about the history of that helmet...you don't know where it came from, where its been, if its been dropped anytime, and not all sellers on ebay are entirely ethical.

It's alot more fun to buy the helmet at the dealer because you can try different ones on and pick the right one for you, and know that it has had professional care...on ebay, who KNOWS what happened to that helmet as it was passed around for the past 3 years.

kabob983 · #7 Unread post by **kabob983** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:33 am

I look for ebay stores that sell large quantities of the same type of helmet generally. As for fit, I've tried on the helmet I want to buy at a dealer and now I look for it online, but since Arai must be sold through a retailer...unless I find an actual shop on ebay selling it I'll be paying through the nose