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I know that you're supposed to replace your helmet every 5 years because of the insides deteriorating, but does anyone have a link that gives an expanation of why this is? I'm trying to convince my girlfriend's bro to buy a new helmet (I think his was made in 1999!) and I think I'll need more than just my own word of mouth. Anyone have a link or something to a page that explains it better?

Thanks!

sunlight + sweat causes the helmet to break down. The sunlight weakens the shell over time and your sweat eats away at the lining.

you could imagine what this can do to a helmet over the years.

About the only piece of riding gear that I could see surviving more than 5 years of regular use and still be in really good shape would be a leather jacket, assuming it is cared for.

jmillheiser wrote:About the only piece of riding gear that I could see surviving more than 5 years of regular use and still be in really good shape would be a leather jacket, assuming it is cared for.

Maybe the earplugs could make it too

this question is coming from outta nowhere, i know, but do you guys think there is a difference in safety between a 100 and 600 dollar helmet? i was recently in an accident and my helmet took quite a beating, i know i need to get another one but i cant justify spending 600 on something that will do the job just as well as something 500 dollars cheaper.

Check out Icon and Scorpion. Great helmets for a great price.. All reviews and tests i have read give thumbs up... they also transfer some of the fewest Gs to the brain

DirtyD86 wrote:this question is coming from outta nowhere, i know, but do you guys think there is a difference in safety between a 100 and 600 dollar helmet? i was recently in an accident and my helmet took quite a beating, i know i need to get another one but i cant justify spending 600 on something that will do the job just as well as something 500 dollars cheaper.

No. There is no difference in the safety aspect.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... et_review/

The main differences in the cheaper helmets and the more expensive ones are comfort and higher quality ventilation. Some say if you have a $100 head buy a $100 helmt, but that is pretty much a myth like the loud pipes save lives myth.

As long as it has the proper certifications (DOT, DOT/Snell, etc) it is personal whether you want to spend more for the comfort factors.

I've had many helmets over the years, the Arai was the most uncomphterble. I actually like Scorpion the best.

DirtyD86 wrote:this question is coming from outta nowhere, i know, but do you guys think there is a difference in safety between a 100 and 600 dollar helmet? i was recently in an accident and my helmet took quite a beating, i know i need to get another one but i cant justify spending 600 on something that will do the job just as well as something 500 dollars cheaper.

I just purchased a higher end helmet, going from a $120 to $480. They are both Snell certified. The main differences are comfort, ventelation, supposed ease of switching face shields (long story), and noise reduction. Sometimes, different companies helmets will simply fit you better. A popular saying is try them all on without looking at the price. End of the day if it doesn't fit your head well, regardless of the price it won't save you.

Jthmeffy wrote:Check out Icon and Scorpion. Great helmets for a great price.. All reviews and tests i have read give thumbs up... they also transfer some of the fewest Gs to the brain

Those two helmets transferred some of the MOST G's to the head in the MC mag test! Scorpion was the highest, Icon Mainframe was still quit high.

Read the article and you'll see that they test some helmets that are $80 and some that are $700. The "best" helmet they tested costs about $90 and transfers alot less force to your noggin in most crashes. Why? Because it's NOT snell certified. The entire idea behind that article is that helmet manufacturers have to make their helmets stiffer and stiffer to meet snell standards so that when you wreck they're so stiff that the core is so hard it doesn't collapse.

The Z1R-Strike (ZRP) was their "top" helmet. And yes, it is cheap and does protect very well. But I've heard that the helmet is rediculously uncomfortable, noisy, and heavy. So it's a trade off...

kabob983 wrote:I know that you're supposed to replace your helmet every 5 years because of the insides deteriorating, but does anyone have a link that gives an expanation of why this is? I'm trying to convince my girlfriend's bro to buy a new helmet (I think his was made in 1999!) and I think I'll need more than just my own word of mouth. Anyone have a link or something to a page that explains it better?

Thanks!

Perhaps the helmets of years past needed to be replaced often, but today's advancements and technology provide a much superior product.

I have never heard of the 5 year rule as long as I've been riding and I don't think that would apply to today's helmets. The shells are stronger and the paints are more durable, which help protect the shell as well. You also have to consider the proper care of helmets which will vary for each rider. Some may keep them out of sunlight during a stop. Many riders may wear a bandana to eliminate sweat, moister and dirt build up.

Bottom line, each helmet varies upon the care. I would bet my motorcycle an older helmet, yes even at 5 years old, would still perform the same as a brand new one. If you have money to burn, then buy as often as you wish. But use your own judgement.