Helmet in storage

[LosingGrip]

I'm hoping to get another bike in the next few months (properly after Xmas now). I've not ridden for two years and got a Shoei helmet in the garage. I got it around six months before I sold my last bike. Never dropped etc.

Are there any problems with me using the same one?

[SuffolkDefender]

none whatsoever. I think they used to say 4 years or something for replacement but why, i have no idea. Anyway as long as it's not been dropped it should be fine for, frankly, eons.

[Drezza]

I'm guessing the helmet manufacturers say that huh? I wonder why...

[Pica-Pica]

Drezza said:

I'm guessing the helmet manufacturers say that huh? I wonder why...

It’s simply to avoid liability. Most company policies ultimately revolve around that (as a subset of ‘the bottom line’).

[ssray]

Depends on the shell type the glue holding it together and what type of foam etc is used for impact absorption
A old polycarbonate helmet would probably not last even in a cupboard out of the sun's rays and any fumes etc
A modern fiber helmet should last a lot longer

[Dog Star]

I've got 8 Rossi replicas, anything up to 15 years old. They're all stored in their bags in their boxes - my yearly mileage is low and they're all as new.

I've recently bought a new enduro bike and last week I got out my nice shiny "new" AGV AX8 "5 continents"; it's been used about five times and I still consider it "new". I checked the date under the lining - September 2010 I've no qualms about using it.

[SAS Tom]

A 2 year old helmet is fine to use.

How long it lasts depends on how much it’s been used and how it’s been treated.

Those that say they last forever tend to have the helmet they bought in the 70’s which fell apart long ago.

[Pat H]

I don't think age is a problem, providing you store the helmet carefully.

The worst place to keep a helmet is in the garage, unless yours in uncommonly dry and warm.

Constant variations of temperature and moisture can cause the padding to disintegrate, turning it to powder and ruining the helmet.

I learned this the expensive way and now keep decent helmets in the house.

[Zarco]

What I was thinking. Don't keep it in the garage.

[LosingGrip]

Thanks all . Now just need another bike!

[Krikkit]

ssray said:

Depends on the shell type the glue holding it together and what type of foam etc is used for impact absorption
A old polycarbonate helmet would probably not last even in a cupboard out of the sun's rays and any fumes etc
A modern fiber helmet should last a lot longer

This is the crux of it really - it's all an unknown, on something that protects your head.

If the manufacturers are prepared to stand behind a lid for 5 years, that's how long I'll use it for - brain damage is the worst-case scenario of all imho.

[mattwh]

I read up about this recently - the 'lifetime' of a helmet is set at (for example) 5 years not down to the outer shell but the internal padding. Manufacturers assume daily use and this constant compression / release of the internal padding leads it to (I guess) compressing permanently and therefore provide less support than that same helmet when new. A 10 year old helmet used 20 times a year and kept in a helmet bag / box would be perfectly acceptable to continue using on my bonce for me as I know it's history....

The article I read might have been wrong but it makes sense - there is no degradation to the shell if kept out of sunlight and away from chemicals.....