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Helmet Life

Tony

Tony

PCGB Member
Member
Folks,
does anybody know if helmets are 'lifed'. Current helmet is in good condition and has a valid MSA sticker (it's second). Is it as simple as when the standard becomes obsolete or a new sticker is issued and a scrutuneer won't issue one I throw it away, or should I consider replacing after a period of time anyway?


 
I have used the same helmet all my life and no real signs of wear and it does get regularly scrutinised but no problems so far ...... [8D]
 
So long as its still within the regs life you'll be fine. I think Snell 2005 is the current? I'll go and check.....

Oh if you drop it, replace it. I've replaced 2 by dropping them. One I just dropped myself, the other a scrut ripped my sticker off due to a large chip, Although I'm sure that was done on the roll cage, not the floor. Oh and if you buy an Aria they come with a life time guarantee so you can get the linings replaced free of charge in the off season. They tend to wear.
 
by my reckoning my Arai Helmet is over 15 years old. It's no longer current spec by many years. It's been well looked after though and has had little use compared to say daily use on a bike for instance. The top foam insert has worn out but otherwise it looks like new. I bought a "cheapie" helmet to replace the Arai but find myself still using the Arai. Is it time served ? Does fibreglass go brittle with age ? If so how long?
 
If you rely on it to protect your head - new one!!!

you'll never know until you need it!!! I think you've had good value for money out of the old one.
 
Pretty certain that if you've a good quality carbon/kevlar helmet it'll last as long as they let you use it.... but bang it against the cage and it's bin time...
For real racing you need at least Snell 2005 I think.... if it's only British Standards rated then why not grab the missus pudding basin and strap that on instead... do you as much good in a crash... but don't get me started on that!!!
 
Dont you think they update the SNELL standard for a reason though? I'd be thinking that a 15 year old helmet is past due for replacement, but its an opinion.
 
Each Snell standard is tougher than the previous, lessons learnt are incorporated etc... and I think they assume a large amount of wear and tear etc... but the cabon/kevlar mix is not going to deteriorate so it's mostly the foam liner they are worrying about and the general fit as the interiors deteriorate. So if you've got a nice Stand21 helmet where you can change the pads etc you can maintain a safe fit... but I still wouldn't use a helmet over 10 years old really... bit silly, only 1 head and all that....
Out of interest, my latest lid that I had made up for the LSR attempt is to full FIA Formula 1 spec... and it's nearly twice as thick in places as the latest SNELL lids because the test is that much tougher (7mm vs 3.5mm)... hence also a bit heavier.
 
I was horrified how the interior padding of my old bike full face helmet just deteriorated and then disappeared completely!!
 
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