Five (5) year rule?

Supperconductor · 05-18-2005, 8:17 PM

My Shoei XSPII is either coming up on or past 5 years of use. How important is it to replace helmets every half decade?

BTW, thinking about the RF1000 based on research on our beloved ORG.

CBR929RE · 05-18-2005, 8:20 PM

well just think about how much helmet technology has improved over the last decade or so. Go try one on and I bet you'll want it.

luvtolean · 05-18-2005, 8:21 PM

Imagine which helmet you'd want to be wearing if you tucked the front at triple digits on your favorite road. The one that's out of date, or a fresh one?

Northern RR · 05-18-2005, 8:22 PM

I am currently going through the same thing, my Arai quantum is past its 5 years and I really "should" replace it. The lining has stretched a bit and the shell looks as if it has faded a bit(colour wise) I am hoping to get an edwards rep(rx-7 corsair) cutsom fitted shortly, but I will keep riding for now until the new one arrives.

Most tracks won't allow you on if you have an expired helmet, just as a heads up(dealing with that one too

)

Red Rider · 05-18-2005, 8:23 PM

The thing I've noticed most about my helmets when they get old is that the fit gets looser as the lining gets packed out. I think there's some concern over the breakdown of the materials, too.

Getsome · 05-18-2005, 8:29 PM

agree with most of the above statements.. And the RF-1000 is a great helmet in my opinion....

G-Force Junkie · 05-18-2005, 9:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supperconductor

My Shoei XSPII is either coming up on or past 5 years of use. How important is it to replace helmets every half decade?

BTW, thinking about the RF1000 based on research on our beloved ORG.

It's only as important as you feel your head is

*Mo Noyz* · 05-18-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getsome

agree with most of the above statements.. And the RF-1000 is a great helmet in my opinion....

Mine arrives tomorrow!!

EDDIE110171 · 05-18-2005, 11:13 PM

Getting a new helmet every 5 years will keep you in the newest Snell standards. They change every 5 years ie. 1995, 2000, 2005.

Supperconductor · 05-19-2005, 12:21 AM

***SIGH*** Didn't need another expense this year but alas I guess can't rationalize this one away. Now to decide between the RF-1000 and the X11, hmmm.....

literbike · 05-19-2005, 12:53 AM

I've had an RF-1000 for a couple months now and love it. Upgraded from a very old KBC so it was quite a difference. As far as expenses go, you can get a pretty good deal on an RF-1000 that is a solid color.

Latebraking · 05-19-2005, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDDIE110171

Getting a new helmet every 5 years will keep you in the newest Snell standards. They change every 5 years ie. 1995, 2000, 2005.

New research data gathered up in the new Motorcyclist magazine says not so flattering things about the Snell standard as it relates to protection from head injury. The rationale used in the article made a lot of sense. Check it out before you buy another helmet.

G-Force Junkie · 05-19-2005, 1:21 AM

And of course SNELL is calling

Like everything else, its how you test, and what for often dictates your results. SNELL and DOT seem to judge performance on different perameters...which one is better, well that depends on how the helmet hit an object...something you never have control over in a crash.

PS: have you read SNELL's response? Its here: Snell's response to Motorcyclist helmet article

Scout · 05-19-2005, 2:52 AM

And the ECE standard, etc.??

edited: for brain-fart

ND4SPD · 05-19-2005, 8:09 AM

I honestly can't even see getting 5 years out of a helmet. I've been riding for 5 1/2 years and have 3 helmets. My current one was manufactured in 6/02 and I'll probably be shopping for another one this winter.

It's my head.

EDDIE110171 · 05-19-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

And of course SNELL is calling

Like everything else, its how you test, and what for often dictates your results. SNELL and DOT seem to judge performance on different perameters...which one is better, well that depends on how the helmet hit an object...something you never have control over in a crash.

Exactly, Snell uses a multiple impact test and the Motorcyclist magazine was a single.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latebraking

New research data gathered up in the new Motorcyclist magazine says not so flattering things about the Snell standard as it relates to protection from head injury. The rationale used in the article made a lot of sense. Check it out before you buy another helmet.

If you can guarantee your accident will only have one impact then have at it, I'll stick with my Snell Shoei Thank you.

ReaperAZ · 05-19-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supperconductor

***SIGH*** Didn't need another expense this year but alas I guess can't rationalize this one away. Now to decide between the RF-1000 and the X11, hmmm.....

If your deciding between the RF1000 and the X11, go with the X11. Hands down it's a better helmet. I have an RF1000 Zemke and it looks real nice. Fit it decent and venting could be better. I wore an X11 the other night and what a difference. Better venting, more comfort, lighter, but it doesn't have as many options for colors/schemes.

luvtolean · 05-19-2005, 2:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latebraking

The rationale used in the article made a lot of sense.

Not to me. I felt myself getting dumber as I read it.

llhank · 05-19-2005, 2:59 PM

Even if protection isn't an issue, it seems like the padding and bottom seal (I don't know what you call that piece) pretty much fall apart well before 5 years. Not to mention how many times the damn helmet falls off your saddle and scratches when you're dumb enough to temporarily lay it there.

BTW I bought an ICON Mainframe helmet for a bargain through helmetsetc.com and couldn't be more tickled with it. It passes DOT & Snell so no issue there. The fit is great and the view better than ARAI because it doesn't have those dumb black vents on the face shield (just the right size to blank out a car.)

EDDIE110171 · 05-19-2005, 4:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Not to me. I felt myself getting dumber as I read it.

Supperconductor · 05-19-2005, 6:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

If your deciding between the RF1000 and the X11, go with the X11. Hands down it's a better helmet. I have an RF1000 Zemke and it looks real nice. Fit it decent and venting could be better. I wore an X11 the other night and what a difference. Better venting, more comfort, lighter, but it doesn't have as many options for colors/schemes.

Thanks, that's exactly the advice I was looking for. My first helmet was an RF-800, then I got the XSPII and couldn't believe how much nicer it was. For this round, I had read that the RF-1000 was a big improvement but had the nagging feeling I would miss the refinement that a top of the line helmet offers. X11 here I come.

*Mo Noyz* · 05-19-2005, 8:01 PM

Money was somewhat an issue for me this time around. So I went with the RF-1000. Plus, the color I got, Anthracite, perfectly matches the "titanium" color on my bike.

My previous helmet was a rock hard Fulmer AF1.

Very uncomfortable, and venting? What venting?

When I put my RF on today all I could say was "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......".

Latebraking · 05-19-2005, 10:23 PM

Hey, to each their own. This is could be as bad as an oil thread.

abtech · 05-20-2005, 6:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latebraking

Hey, to each their own. This is could be as bad as an oil thread.

Or you could take a look around and see that it could be even worse than an oil thread.

sheepofblue · 05-20-2005, 8:09 AM

Or you could BECOME a thread

While the decision is yours a helmet can save your life in the case of an accident, then you can post a wow that hurts thread. In the case of a helmet failure I would think the death rate is 100%. The hard part is deciding when enough is enough and discussions like this one (and the link from Abtech) can help in that decision.

Sheep out, my helmet is new enough and high enough in quality now back to e-track mounted chock design.....