How old's your bash-hat?

[Corin Denton]

I've got a lovely carbon/kevlar AGV helmet although it's now 10 years old, should it hit the big bin in the sky?

[sparkey]

Definately. If for no other reason than it's always fun buying a new lid.

[jvaughan]

Every 3 -4 years I was told... My Nolan is now 3 years olf, and, given the number of shones I have felt hit it, and the size of the chips in it, will be replaced very shortly.

AGV .. Mmmmm Nice Lid

[Incorrigible]

It sounds very similar to mine, clearly some shopping on the cards

[S2rr Kitty]

I always change my lid every 2-3 years, I'm sure there has been some research into it that concluded with a recommended change time of around 4 years,due to deterioration of compouds & regardless of damage or knocks.

Wouldn't like to take any chances with this bit of kit!

[wedg1e]

Still got the first lid I got with my first bike. In 1988. Both were second-hand then...

Never fell off (well OK, not at speed ), so can't comment on it's abilities

[andy oh]

wedg1e said:

Still got the first lid I got with my first bike. In 1988. Both were second-hand then... Never fell off (well OK, not at speed ), so can't comment on it's abilities

I would invest in a new lid asap if I were you, the material of your lid is touching 20 years old, way past its sell by date imho.

[pesty]

And i would imagine the technology has improved somewhat. good helmets are quite cheap these days. well worth the invesment. even if its just for the comfort.

[d3ano]

Take a look at the lids from Nitro.
I picked up a gold label lid for around £80. NV800 model. Miles better than the freebie that i got when i first bought a bike.

[neilsie]

So, what make a good Lid?

Which are the strongest?

Have a Suonmy Gunwind myself - nice and light, though now its a about 4 yrs old, its a bit noisy.

[S2rr Kitty]

The key factor with lids is getting one that fits!!!

You could spend close to £500 on a top of the range Arai but if it didn't fit it would be as useless & dangerous as a 20year old lid.

Your head should be snug without pinching your temples, if you grip the chin piece you should not be able to twist your head from side to side or up & down freely.

[wedg1e]

andy oh said:

wedg1e said: Still got the first lid I got with my first bike. In 1988. Both were second-hand then... Never fell off (well OK, not at speed ), so can't comment on it's abilities I would invest in a new lid asap if I were you, the material of your lid is touching 20 years old, way past its sell by date imho.

Get away you big woozer. If GRP was going to 'go off', both my cars would be in the scrapyard. OK, so the visor has disintegrated into a myriad of crazing, the lining has been eaten by rats and the foam shell distorted when I got jumped by 24 kids (not a lie) who decided it would be a good laught to twist my lid round backwards, but it'll be fine for a few miles yet!
Might have trouble finding a visor for it now, Centurion Firebird I think it is...

Ian

[iguana]

Incorrigible said:

It sounds very similar to mine, clearly some shopping on the cards

Oh cripes what is Inc gunna buy if he goes helmet shopping- when merely popping out for a pair of new gloves saw him walk out the shop with a new Duke!

[S2rr Kitty]

"I don't care what it is, so long as it's yellow" Rockey....

[MrsMiggins]

I donated my old lid to the local St Andrew's Ambulance Centre and they use it to teach first aiders how to Resuscitatate bikers without removing their helmet.

[Incorrigible]

S2rr Kitty said:

"I don't care what it is, so long as it's yellow"

this coming from Anna "What do mean there's a new black I'll stick with the old black black thanks" Black

[Badapple]

I have a 96 shark foggy rep & a 03 tady arai rx7rr.

[rsvmilly]

Incorrigible said:

S2rr Kitty said: "I don't care what it is, so long as it's yellow" this coming from Anna "What do mean there's a new black I'll stick with the old black black thanks" Black

It's because its naturally thinning!!

[Mark_SV]

wedg1e said:

Get away you big woozer. If GRP was going to 'go off', both my cars would be in the scrapyard. OK, so the visor has disintegrated into a myriad of crazing, the lining has been eaten by rats and the foam shell distorted when I got jumped by 24 kids (not a lie) who decided it would be a good laught to twist my lid round backwards, but it'll be fine for a few miles yet! Might have trouble finding a visor for it now, Centurion Firebird I think it is... Ian

LOL

Depending on mileage, UV gradually weakens the lid, leading to the recommendation that you change your lid every 5 years. It's the same with other safety kit that's exposed to the elements (e.g. my climbing ropes).

However, as I keep getting ever shorter hair cuts, I keep down-sizing my lid size!