Do race helmets have an expire date

[Chris Sideways]

I've had my Sparco middle of the range jobbie since 2004 and was looking at jazzing it up a bit with a paint job but before I go to the expense of this can anyone tell me if it has a use by date or do they live forever(damage aside) Also has helmet design moved on a lot since 2004 ie are they a lot safer now or about the same?
Many Thanks.

[davepoth]

There are various rules about them which I don't know enough about (other than to know the lid I have in the attic is out of date) but if you post up exactly what the official looking stickers on it say I'm sure some knowledgeable bod will be able to tell you.

[jagracer]

It's all in the safety label, Snell 2000 or the BSi red label may expire 2016/15. Scrutineers will be wary of helmets that have stickers attached as they could be hiding defects.

[LDN]

What label does it have inside... yes, the standards move on and on top of that; helmets do fade in their effectiveness over time as they get knocked about and dropped here and there. Some say it's worth changing helmets every five years by default but that does seem a tad excessive.

[woof]

The answer is yes and it depends on when it was manufactured.
But that's no guarantee of the effectiveness. If a helmet has been dropped or you've been in accident then you need to get a new one.

Your head is a pretty important bit of kit, so if in doubt then I'd get a new one.

[RESSE]

I have read through Section K (pages 164-168) of the MSA Blue Book but cannot see reference to an expiry date for helmets.

At a recent hillclimb event the MSA scrutineer checked the manufacturer stickers inside the lining of my helmet - not sure what for, but I think it is something to do with fireprotection/dating?

He did like my PH sticker:

[Chris Sideways]

Thanks for the answers guys,I was at Brands today so ask a scrutineer and even he had to go away and check but came back with the answer that it's ok until 2015,I just need to work out now if it's still going to be ok or will spending another £700 plus be a better bet? I know my helmet has never been in a accident or dropped so will it be worth it?

[davepoth]

Chris Sideways said:

Thanks for the answers guys,I was at Brands today so ask a scrutineer and even he had to go away and check but came back with the answer that it's ok until 2015,I just need to work out now if it's still going to be ok or will spending another £700 plus be a better bet? I know my helmet has never been in a accident or dropped so will it be worth it?

Is your head worth it?

That said, I only paid £50 for mine...;)

[jagracer]

Chris Sideways said:

Thanks for the answers guys,I was at Brands today so ask a scrutineer and even he had to go away and check but came back with the answer that it's ok until 2015,I just need to work out now if it's still going to be ok or will spending another £700 plus be a better bet? I know my helmet has never been in a accident or dropped so will it be worth it?

Why do you have to spend £700 when you can get them much cheaper, I paid £230 for mine with HANS posts fitted and it's the most comfortable helmet out of the four I own.

[radlet6]

They have a saying in the US - if you have a $10 head then buy a $10 helmet.

[jagracer]

radlet6 said:

They have a saying in the US - if you have a $10 head then buy a $10 helmet.

You believe that if you like, you also pay for a name, they are all made to certain standards. Pay for one that fits correctly and is comfortable.

[Cyder]

Absolutely, it wouldn't be approved if it wasn't safe enough. The big difference IMHO is the weight of the helmet

[Mr_Thyroid]

radlet6 said:

They have a saying in the US - if you have a $10 head then buy a $10 helmet.

No doubt invented by a helmet manufacturer.

[fioran0]

Off the top of my head it's 5 years after the standard becomes outdated.
So SA2000 was replaced by SA2005 making them not legal for racing as of start 2010. SA2010 bounced SA2005 so these can be used until start of 2015.
Mine are always honking long before expiry becomes an issue though.

For track days this is all irrelevant. I did once read that a helmet has a lifespan of 10years but haven't seen anything definitive on this.

[jagracer]

fioran0 said:

Off the top of my head it's 5 years after the standard becomes outdated.
So SA2000 was replaced by SA2005 making them not legal for racing as of start 2010. SA2010 bounced SA2005 so these can be used until start of 2015.

Just keep the helmet on top of your head as the rest of that is completely wrong. It's all in the Blue book if you care to read it.

[fioran0]

Awesome joke. Awesome input!!!!

I dont race under MSA however i did hear that MSA is apparently to be allowing SA2000 until 2014. Maybe they will catch up with HANS use by then too!!!

Meanwhile most everywhere else SA2000 is expired and did so in 2010.

If you are still able to use an 11 year old helmet you need to drive more or get your sense of smell checked out.

Edited by fioran0 on Saturday 22 October 22:08

[jagracer]

fioran0 said:

Awesome joke. Awesome input!!!!

I dont race under MSA however i did hear that MSA is apparently to be allowing SA2000 until 2014. Maybe they will catch up with HANS use by then too!!!

Meanwhile most everywhere else SA2000 is expired and did so in 2010.

If you are still able to use an 11 year old helmet you need to drive more or get your sense of smell checked out.

Edited by fioran0 on Saturday 22 October 22:08

You're still wrong on the MSA rules plus this thread was about the op not where you race.

[CDP]

jagracer said:

Why do you have to spend £700 when you can get them much cheaper, I paid £230 for mine with HANS posts fitted and it's the most comfortable helmet out of the four I own.

It's not about reaching a standard but by how much the standard can be exceeded.

GP Racewear and the two local bikeshops told me that although you get what you pay for, fit is the most important factor of all. Unfortunately a £600 Arai was by far and away the best fit for me...

[Mr_Thyroid]

CDP said:

It's not about reaching a standard but by how much the standard can be exceeded.

Is there a measure for how much a helmet exceeds the standard?

[ANF11]

Helmets have a lifespan of 5 years or less. The foam inside the shell compresses over time making it not fit as correctly as when first purchased, meaning that your head will "bounce around" inside the helmet in the event of a crash (the more you use it the more it will compress). As someone said before if it's been dropped, accident damaged, etc - replace it!
$10 helmet for a $10 head is a very apt saying - how much is your head worth?