I'm sure this has been posted before, but I just dropped off an old crash helmet at my local fire station, they use them to practice removal after an accident, and said they are always looking for replacements.
Useful. I have the one that I was wearing when I had my accident. It can't be used because I know that I had a knock but it looks fine! I was just going to chuck it but I will see if the fire service want it. One of them might of taken it off me!
Thought this thread was going to be promoting some of our more senior members naked calendar for charity.
From Today’s Telegraph ... The capital’s largest motorcycling event, the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, takes place this weekend (February 14-16) celebrating all things two-wheeled. Following recent news that a staggering 41% of all British riders are wearing helmets that are more than five years old and now well beyond the manufacturer’s service life, MCN has launched a UK Helmet Amnesty. Everyone who brings their old helmet to the London show will receive a free gift and the opportunity to purchase a new helmet at a bargain price. Visitors wanting to take part should sign up beforehand at https://www.helmetamnesty.com
Why would a helmet be scrap after 5 years FFS? All I’ve done is replace the lining (Arai) And it’s good for another 10! These things cost a bloody fortune! My philosophy is buy right, buy once and look after it and it will look after you. Rant over!!!
Mainly due to the shelf life of the foam and other materials they use for shock absorption (which usually is 5 years from first use) but it degrades with sweat, dirt, humidity, etc.
I get it that the interior deteriorates with sweat etc... but the other materials last forever in applications like marine and auto, even when subjected to far higher levels of salt and sunshine.
I think Arai advise 5 years from purchase or 7 years from manufacture. Just bought my 3rd RX7 for an arm and two legs.
the EPS (white foam stuff) just goes hard and basically doesn't absorb shock any more (so I'm told from a mate in the industry) and also I used to work in a bike shop years and years ago and Shoei and Arai said it then. I've just bought a new one, but mainly because my newest is 9 years, and honestly it's too 'racey' for the road, gets annoying.
I offered mine to Gloucestershire Fire Service and they didn't want it! And it was an Arai! Fussy f{}ckers!
I've done that too. They have loads already because the guy in charge of the area that would need them is a biker himself and one of the founding members of a local IAM club, so he's always being offered loads.
It's always the grey or black foam on the back of the linings that turns to grit and trickles down my neck. The white expanded polystyrene ceiling tile which forms the inner shell never seems to degrade......my neighbour is still digging the damn stuff up which someone buried after knocking down an extension about 30 years ago. The outer shell if glassfibre can degrade badly.....think of the older TVR bodyshells which used to delaminate once the gel coat went porous and the damp got in. Not sure about the life of the newer outer shell materials though......I think my AGV was Aramid, whereas there is Kevlar and others. Carbon fibre is very strong in various conditions, but it doesn't like impact or pressure. I squeezed an old zorst can with my hand (tough glove on) and it just shattered.
