Helmets - How old is too old?
A motorcycle helmet is not only a legal requirement, but it is a critical piece of safety equipment that may just save your life.
One of the questions we get asked regularly is, does a motorcycle helmet have an expiration date, and the short answer is no but that doesn’t mean they will last forever.
Since 1974 all motorcycle helmets are required by law to carry a sticker/label displaying the date of manufacture. Usually this date is found attached to the EPS liner, the internal non-removable liner or on some makes of helmet, the date is attached to the chin strap.Industrial Safety Helmets (hard hats) carry an expiry date, motorcycle helmets carry a date of manufacture, it’s a subtle difference.
Motorcycle Helmet manufacturers will have various recommendations as to how long a helmet should be used, but the frequency of use, the conditions it is used in and how it is stored, will all play a considerable role in affecting the lifespan of your helmet.
It is important to stress, the age of a motorcycle helmet is not mandated by law, however find yourself in an accident with an old helmet, and your insurance company may have something to say.
Racing scrutineers will not pass a motorcycle helmet which is over 5 years old. Although for the average road rider, between 5 and 7 years seems to be an industry accepted time provided the helmet has been correctly cared for and is not damaged.
For non-race applications, it is generally accepted that the clock doesn’t start ticking until the helmet is sold by the retailer, so five years from the date the helmet is sold up to a maximum of 12 years (5+7=12) from the date of manufacture.
There are several key factors that affect the ability of a helmet to do its job.
Exposure to UV light (sunlight), exposure to ozone, heat and cold, sweat, hair oils plus general wear and tear all contribute to the functional age of your helmet. A helmet used every day will need replaced much quicker than a helmet that is worn occasionally.
Remember 5-7 years is the maximum, this number will come down if the helmet is used everyday. That’s why it is important to buy a helmet from a reputable retailer who specialises in helmet sales, that way you can be guaranteed that the helmet you buy has been kept in the optimal pre-sale conditions to ensure its longevity and you can be guaranteed the helmet has not been accidentally dropped or damaged.
A reputable retailer will provide you with a receipt confirming the date of sale, it is important to keep this safe in case you may need it to confirm your helmet’s usage. Never, ever, buy a second-hand helmet, its simply not worth the risk. You are unlikely to know if the helmet has been dropped or damaged… “only worn once” never really rings true, there is almost always another reason for selling a nearly-new helmet.
HELMET FITTING
A correctly fitted helmet can be the difference in death or permanent brain damage and walking away from an accident.
We see so many people come into Evolution Motorworks wearing incorrect fitting helmets, and many are oblivious to the ageing aspects of the helmet.
I’ve lost count of the number of times someone comes unto the shop and plonks their helmet upside down on the counter. It doesn’t matter what construction your helmet is, you should treat the outer shell like an eggshell. Protect it, look after it as even the most innocuous knock can render it useless.
By far the biggest offenders are bikers who have been riding with the same helmet for years. Or riders decide to take their kids or partner for a spin on the back. They usually throw an old lid on the pillion and expect it will do the job… it wont do the job! In the event of an accident, you can almost guarantee it doesn’t fit correctly and will cause untold damage to the wearer. This is a wholly reckless approach to safety and I would urge you to stop and think. As the saying goes, “don’t plan for the ride, plan for the slide”
Kids are notoriously difficult to fit for a helmet. There is only a small selection of helmets available that will fit a child’s head correctly. They are usually expensive, and the child grows out of the helmet very quickly. If you are taking your kid for a spin, ensure they have a correctly fitted helmet. If you cant afford a correct child helmet, the advice is simple; don’t take them on the bike until they are into adult sizes where the choice and value increases.
Not all helmet brands fit all heads and not all head shapes and sizes remain constant. A Medium in one brand is not the same as a Medium in another brand. The sizing can vary from model to model within the same brand. Heads change in shape and size as we get older, when is the last time you got properly fitted for a helmet?
A reputable helmet retailer will have been specially trained to correctly fit and assess your head size and suitability for a helmet. This is a service we offer for free at Evolution Motor Works for customers purchasing a helmet from us.
There are such varieties and styles of helmet available to bikers today, designed to be used in a variety of biking situations. The danger is, a helmet can sometimes be viewed as a fashion accessory, but NEVER lose sight of the fact that a motorcycle helmet is a critical piece of safety protective equipment which may just save your life.