As a motorcyclist and motocross enthusiast, your helmet is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can wear and also the most expensive. The Snell Foundation recommends you replace your helmet every 3 – 5 years so here are a few tips to make sure it lasts that long and remains effective at protecting your head.
How do you increase the shelf life of your helmet and make sure it maintains its effectiveness? Here are a few tips that can help:
- Handle it with care by using a carrying bag or case
- Store it safely and properly
- Clean your helmet every 3 – 6 months
- Replace scratched visors
- Replace worn interior padding
- Protect from UV rays
- Get a thorough helmet inspection
You want to make sure that you take real good care of your helmet because it can truly save your life. Like with anything, there is no guarantee but taking the appropriate actions to make sure it remains fully functional and durable should help.
Carry your helmet safely
Dropping your helmet is the worse. It can get scratched and potentially crack if you are not careful. If you are clumsy like me, then I’m sure you have probably dropped your helmet once or twice?
It wasn’t until a friend of mine showed me how he carried his helmet around. He used a helmet bag. I thought this was a much better idea than holding it in between my fingers. Plus, using a helmet bag frees up your hands to carry a drink or groceries.
I actually really like this helmet backpack bag which has an outer mesh storage for your helmet. The backpack is perfect for storing your gloves or other personal items for when you are walking around. It is super convenient.
Store your helmet Properly
Storing your helmet properly is absolutely necessary when it comes to keeping up with the hygiene and overall health of your helmet. If you like to ride all day then sweat can fill your helmet so you will need to store it in a way that gets adequate airflow.
You also need to be mindful of storing your helmet so it remains protected from potential accidents such as someone knocking it over. It would also be helpful to protect it from dust and UV rays.
Take a few minutes to check out this post I wrote on 8 convenient ways to store your motorcycle helmet safely. This guide will give some unique ideas and tips that will protect your helmet when you are not using it.
Clean your helmet every 6 months
How often should you clean your motorcycle helmet? If you are a frequent rider, then I recommend cleaning it every 3 – 6 months at the latest. Sweat and grime tend to build up quickly when you ride a lot and this can compromise the integrity of your helmet.
Cleaning your helmet is very easy to do. I put together a step-by-step guide on how to maintain and clean your helmet that is super simple to follow. It uses cheap products and makes washing your helmet a breeze.
You will want to check out my helmet cleaning guide because it shows you exactly what to use since certain chemicals such as petroleum-based cleaning fluids can damage your helmet. Polycarbonate helmets do not react well with this solvent. You are better off using a specifically designated motorcycle helmet cleaner.
Replace Scratched Visors
If your visor is scratched then you need to replace it. A scratched visor can impede your visibility at night and during the day when you are riding.
You can easily purchase a new visor and replace it. These are very affordable and is a safe practice that will keep your helmet functional. It’s not worth trying to repair a scratched or broken visor.
Replace the interior padding
When you wear your helmet often, it is normal for the interior padding to become worn. The helmet may not be as snug as it once was when you first bought it. If you find your helmet starting to fit loosely then you should consider replacing the padding.
Protect from UV rays
The sun can actually damage the strength of some helmet shell materials. Since you are outside riding all day, the UV rays can damage the outer shell. If you find that your helmet is beginning to fade, this is a sure sign of UV damage. You should consider replacing the outer shell of your helmet.
Manufacturers are beginning to realize the importance of UV protection. Therefore, they have started to incorporate UV inhibitors in the design of the plastic shell that will help mitigate degradation from the sun.
Helmet Inspection
If you are unsure if your helmet is safe to wear then get it inspected by a professional. You can have the manufacturer test it. Last I heard, Shoei happily provided thorough inspections. Make sure to check with your helmet’s manufacturer for this type of customer support.
How long do motorcycle helmets last?
Motorcycle helmets can last for a long time with the proper care and avoiding accidents. However, every motorcycle helmet manufacturer recommends replacing your motorcycle helmet every 3 – 5 years.
The reason for this is because of advancements in safety design technology. Also, when a helmet ages, it tends to weaken, especially if you use it frequently. Therefore, purchasing a new helmet every 5 years or so will provide the most protection.
Should you replace a helmet after a crash?
Yes. If you were in an accident, you should absolutely replace your helmet. Motorcycle helmets were designed to endure one crash only.
The foam in the helmet use for impact absorption becomes crushed during an accident and loses its integrity even though it may not be apparent. Therefore it becomes ineffective after a crash and should not be re-used.
Can EPS lining dry out?
The EPS lining is one of the most durable materials in your helmet. Some think that it can “dry out” over a period of time. Maybe if you placed it in a furnace or oven it would but why would you do that?
Expanded polystyrene is a very strong and material that can withstand high impact and various loads. It is a very popular material used in helmets because of its efficient ability to absorb energy and it is lightweight. This material is highly unlike to degrade or dry out.
At helmets.org you can read that the company MEA Forensic did a study on helmets claiming that EPS lined helmets retain their performance for years. While the age of your helmet is something you should consider, the EPS lining should remain intact and functional as it ages.
