Helmets

So my helmet is three and a half years old now and from everything I've read, it should be replaced every two to five years. My plans are to start gathering info now and be ready to get a new lid a year from now. Here's my question. What determines a helmet's shelf life? Is it regular wear and tear? Does the styrofoam degrade? I'm not at all concerned about my helmet lasting five years, it's fallen off the tank a time or two but other than that I'm very protective of it. I've grown so attached to my helmet, I want to get the same one. Problem is I wear a Suomy Spec 1R Extreme Bostrom 05 and they haven't been producing that particular helmet for at least a year, if not a few years. Does anyone know what affects sitting on a shelf can have on a helmet for a year or more? Thanks in advance for the help.

4 years if never crashed or damaged...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jan 19 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>4 years if never crashed or damaged...
Is that because of degradation of the innards?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jan 19 2009, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is that because of degradation of the innards?

Yup... dont get me wrong..i still use mine and it's an 02 model.. but according to the Arie rep i spoke to at the dealership when i was working there...should replace every 4 years...especially if you live in hot humid places like Texas... also depends how much you ride... if you're a weekend warrior it will last longer...i ride everyday.

Helmets deform slightly by being taken on and off over and over, so using it less will make it last longer within reason. Also don't worry about dropping them, without a mass inside to deform the helmets protective lining, no significant harm should be done to their protective qualities.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jan 19 2009, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yup... dont get me wrong..i still use mine and it's an 02 model.. but according to the Arie rep i spoke to at the dealership when i was working there...should replace every 4 years...especially if you live in hot humid places like Texas... also depends how much you ride... if you're a weekend warrior it will last longer...i ride everyday.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 19 2009, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Helmets deform slightly by being taken on and off over and over, so using it less will make it last longer within reason. Also don't worry about dropping them, without a mass inside to deform the helmets protective lining, no significant harm should be done to their protective qualities.
Yeah, I'm not concerned with the life of my current bucket. I'm confident in it protecting me should I need it in the next two years or so. I'm just wondering about buying a helmet that was manufactured more than a year ago, sitting on a dealer's shelf out in California. Maybe this is something I'll have to go to the bike show to get an answer for, less than a month away here in Minneapolis if I remember correctly.

One for the conspiracy theorists, shops will tell you that you should replace a helmet if you drop it, be it waist height or if it falls off your tank, so what's not to say that manufacturers say X years just to make you buy a new one?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Jan 19 2009, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>One for the conspiracy theorists, shops will tell you that you should replace a helmet if you drop it, be it waist height or if it falls off your tank, so what's not to say that manufacturers say X years just to make you buy a new one?
I've thought about that but I've read a lot of third party pieces that agree with the every two to five years policy.

The UK Goverment recommend

How long should a helmet last?

Remember - if you look after your helmet, it will look after you. In general, a helmet has a shelf life of around five years,
or three years with regular use. Keep your helmet in tip-top condition and clean it regularly.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/mot...p;whoareyou_id=

and theres

SHARP provides information on the real differences in the safety performances of motorcycle helmets

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Jan 19 2009, 05:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>One for the conspiracy theorists, shops will tell you that you should replace a helmet if you drop it, be it waist height or if it falls off your tank, so what's not to say that manufacturers say X years just to make you buy a new one?
you could be right but the cost of being proved wrong is very high...

it boils down to your life or save a few $'s. i know which one i would choose..