How often to change helmets?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
While el-cheapo helmets will glue the liner to the crush foam, any decent helmet I've owned has had a removeable liner you can remove to hand wash. Do this a couple times a year. Can't imagine going 5 years with the same unwashed liner. Barf!
Last edited by fat_tony; Feb 25, 2012 at 03:00 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
I only wear a helmet because the law makes me so I really don't care, i'll keep this same stupid helmet for the next 50 years assuming I live that long. Hopefully I move to a state with no helmet law once I stop being completely upside down on my house.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
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From: Blaine, WA
The stinky liner isn't the issue - its the Styrofoam impact liner that breaks down.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Better move soon, more and more are going the way of requiring them.
Yep, 5yrs is the general rule of thumb but....
I rarely perspire while riding up here in Alaska and I often wear a thin balaclava anyway so my helmet linings remain pretty clean. I know the foam looses some of it's ability to absorb impact but I still own and use helmets that are older than 5yrs.
Mark H.
I rarely perspire while riding up here in Alaska and I often wear a thin balaclava anyway so my helmet linings remain pretty clean. I know the foam looses some of it's ability to absorb impact but I still own and use helmets that are older than 5yrs.
Mark H.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
My OL's helmet as strapped on the back of my cycle a few years ago. It was a stupid idea, I know. The damn thing came loose at 60 mph and bounced down the road until it found its way into the rough. If ever there was a reason to replace a helmet, that was it. In Wisconsin helmets are a choice and not the law, so she rarely wears it. Anyway, her helmet with road rash is still in service. If I want to have one that was not a bowling ball on the highway, I'll have to take her to the store and buy it as a gift.
Last edited by StreetGlider57; Feb 26, 2012 at 07:45 AM.