Helmet longevity

[jamesearthdrum]

Hello folks,
              I recently purchased  Scorpion EXO1000 for $99.95 from Sportbiketrackgear.com. I noticed when registering it that it was manufactured in 2008. I have read all about how helmets should be replaced after 5 years and wanted to get your opinion on whether this helmet should be a one year only option. I guess for the price that wouldn't be so bad. Seems that sitting on a shelf is very different than in use.
              It's SNELL and DOT approved, and has a flip down sun visor which keeps me from having to change my glasses when I ride, and the anti fog shield really works.
              So what'cha think??

james

[mst3kguy]

james,

i think you should contact them and ask them why they sent you a helmet that was manufactured 4 years ago.  low price or not, i don't know that i'd care for that.

[FJmonkey]

Mopar Man Steve has a forever helmet, let's see what he has to say.

[rktmanfj]

Does it have those disc shaped shield retainers?       

When those things hit the ground and roll, they can become hard to retrieve.

[Dan Filetti]

I think that 5 years of RIDING as it get's packed out and deteriorated with sweat etc.  This is my opinion though -take it FWIW.

Dan

[ribbert]

I don't think helmets have a 5 year shelf life but rather it's 5 years of UV's, flexing, wear on straps, stitching, lining etc.

Noel

[yamaha fj rider]

My helmet is ten years old but had very little use. I still trust it. JMHO Hope this helps.

Kurt
.

[jamesearthdrum]

Wink wink nug nug say no more.......

Does it have those disc shaped shield retainers?       

When those things hit the ground and roll, they can become hard to retrieve.

[jamesearthdrum]

I'm betting that's the reason it was 77% off. It's probably been in their stock since then. I did write to Scorpion to ask their opinion. I'll post their response if I get one.

james,

i think you should contact them and ask them why they sent you a helmet that was manufactured 4 years ago.  low price or not, i don't know that i'd care for that.

[jamesearthdrum]

So here is what Scorpion had to say, along with my original email

Sir,

From the time you start using your helmet the clock should begin, the
big thing about that is the wear and tear of the helmet when in use. If
you are able to use your helmet as if it sat on the shelf in the store
the helmet would last a long time but that is not the case for normal
riders. That helmet should give you years of good service.

Glen West
ScorpionUSA.com
949-768-5517

"The beginning is the most important part of the work" - Plato


-----Original Message-----
From: James Walkowiak [mailto:james@earthdrum.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2012 2:52 PM
To: Glen West
Subject: Consumer inquiry from scorpionusa.com

Hello,
   I recently purchased an EXO1000 helmet in Light Silver.  I have
been wearing a 700 for the past 4 years and have been very happy with
it. I purchased the 1000 because the price was very good ($99.95) and
because of the flip down sun visor feature. When registering the 1000 I
found that it was manufactured in 2008. I have read a lot about how
helmets should be replaced every 5 years. Seeing that the helmet if 4
years old I was wondering if you have any opinion on its remaining life.

Thank you,

James

[Flynt]

That helmet should give you years of good service...  from the time you put it in use.

Ad lib on that last bit, but it makes sense.  The usual degradation mechanism for a helmet is when the DOT regulations about safety compliance change...  Any organized driving event requiring a helmet has a rating the helmet must comply with. If you're helmet is brand new, but does not have certification to the current standard...  you're not using it for that event  (They usually have loaners yuk! ).  This significantly lowers the value of the helmet for some people.


If you will not use the helmet in an event that may require the certification, I'd say you got a good deal and your happy...  be done with it.  If the certification means something to you, research your cert and you'll see when it will go obsolete...  shorten your happiness accordingly.   


In either case, the helmet is good for as long as you keep it in good condition with a good fit and no damage to the shell or lining.  At least as good as a non-compliant helmet can be   

Frank

[andyb]

Assuming it's been stored properly!

[yamaha fj rider]

Most riders treat a helmet like it's the steel pot issued to them by the military. Think back to the G.I. in WW2. Not protective equipment, designed to absorb energy and save your life. If you look at this in this context makes perfect sense. Thanks James for the thread and the update.

Kurt

[moparman70]

Mopar Man Steve has a forever helmet, let's see what he has to say.

Yes the above was very true....my helmets were so old the crown inside foam deterioated completely ---  but I repaired them.  Arai F1 helmets both of them and I still like them very much.  My guess is they are 87-89 vintage.  Having said that I never really ever tested them in a crash so really hard to say how they would perform --- but I do remember due the nature of construction it was said if you drop them replace them.  Basically the really good helmets at that time and maybe today have a certain cracking component -- like fibreglass -- the theory is they absorb the impact and internally separate leaving less for your head to take. Dropping them is the same as crashing with them and can separate the construction leaving them less effective in a crash.   The cheaper Polycarbonet ( pardon-me-spelling) are just plastic  and don't really care if you drop --- nothing to separate but don't have the impact absorbtion of the more expensive ones.

But for all you concerned that my helmets are approaching the 20year mark ... I have a brand new Shoei helmet I bought two weeks ago --- the latter ones I will donate to a museum --- Fred Merkel and Kevin Schwantz muesems if they want them.
naaaaa -- they are still way to cool to give away....old school like my bikes...


n

[moparman70]