Crash helmets

[Jerry]

Hi I have been told the crash helmets have a shelf life if so how long and is there a date stamped on them anywhere

[diesel]

no they dont. not really. they do recommend changing them every 5 years or after a drop or big knock but f*** that. my simpson has been custom sprayed years ago by one of the best in the country. and there is no way that is being retired

[Davw]

Hi I have been told the crash helmets have a shelf life if so how long and is there a date stamped on them anywhere

They do have a date stamped on them (inside somewhere - depends on the helmet). For racing I dont think it is a problem (certainly not an issue in Scotalnd - provided the helmet is a good fit) however I think in N Ireland the helmet has to be less than 5 years old for racing - cargo will confirm if I am wrong

[mark400]

Arai are stamped on the chin strap (month/year) - Amazing if you look in shops, they are often a year old already. The ACU rule used to be three years old,but in 10 years racing I have never ever seen this checked.

[cargo]

Yes helmets are date marked but sometimes it's a code so that you poor punters can't tell.
Here in Ireland north and south you can NOT race with a helment older than 5 years also your helment will be inspected for damage every race meeting.
So far as I know the 5 year rule applies to the Manx GP as well.

I have a very low opinion of the ACU and their safety rules and regs.....................and neither know nor care what the ACUs rules for helmet are.

Arai used to have the date marked on the plastic cover bit on the strap but now it's on a little label on the strap.

Sweat dirt etc etc does damage the helmet internals ..........and if you value your head in the same way I value mine then I'd change you lid every 5 years at least..............

I suspect a lid used for every day riding may not suffer like one used for racing...........I can get very hot and sweaty when racing and I'm sure my lid suffers for that in fact after a couple of race meeting my lid smells like Gandis loin cloth

[RedexRobB]

Funny you ask this cos i wondering just the other day about how often you need to change your lid as ive had mine about 3 and a half years, now.

Just checked mine (Roof helmet) and its a got a round sticker with 05 in the middle, with numbers 1 - 12 round the outside, number 2 has a dot over it. Bought that about may/june 06.

Really im just looking for an excuse to buy a new lid when/if i get a new bike, in any case i do follow the 5 year rule and its coming up for renewal. It has done a fair bit of milege (about 25k), has the odd mark and one of the vents came off not that long ago (common apparently) and has had a few light knocks.

Will probably get another as ive been really impressed with this one!

[wes]

If you asking for racing then the lid must be damage free, good fitting and have the appropriate ACU gold sticker.

IIRC it has two think blue bands now and not the one thick blue band...

[mark400]

Yes helmets are date marked but sometimes it's a code so that you poor punters can't tell.
Here in Ireland north and south you can NOT race with a helment older than 5 years also your helment will be inspected for damage every race meeting.
So far as I know the 5 year rule applies to the Manx GP as well.

I have a very low opinion of the ACU and their safety rules and regs.....................and neither know nor care what the ACUs rules for helmet are.

Arai used to have the date marked on the plastic cover bit on the strap but now it's on a little label on the strap.

Sweat dirt etc etc does damage the helmet internals ..........and if you value your head in the same way I value mine then I'd change you lid every 5 years at least..............

I suspect a lid used for every day riding may not suffer like one used for racing...........I can get very hot and sweaty when racing and I'm sure my lid suffers for that in fact after a couple of race meeting my lid smells like Gandis loin cloth

Hey Cargo - Have you smelt Ghandi's loin cloth then ?

BTW - Thanks for those oil pipes -

Regards,

Mark