How long do you keep a helmet?

[hue jass]

Assuming you buy a fresh one, how long before you change it out (barring accidents)

I try to get five years total out of it from date of manufacture. A lot of people think that's a little long.

[Zach]

I try to get five years total out of it from date of manufacture.

This.

[magley64]

never had a helmet that long...

dad had his 1980s bell magnum until last year...

sold them for $400 each on ebay... (brand new they were only $89 each)

[RFM]

Just replaced my Arai Haga rep ('05) with a Suomy ('07) Bautista Rep. Three seasons' use out of it.

[ReconRat]

Till the foam rots, and then I try to replace the foam...

but I got 9 helmets, so it will take a while...

4 are very old, one with rotted foam, and one is an antique...

The other 5 are new...

Not counting three combat helmets...

[Likwid]

What's a helmet?

Mah banandanas last a few months

[MidgetTodd]

When I crash in it.

[hue jass]

So...how many is that a year.

[MidgetTodd]

2 or so

[hue jass]

[Likwid]

When I crash in it.

That's what happens when you go fast.

[rusty]

just replace my TZ-R for X12.they recomend replace helmet 3-5 years.

[C-bus]

When I drop it or tell my wife that I dropped it

Whichever comes first.

[serpentracer]

well considering shoei warranties their helmets for 7 years. I'd say 7 is it's design limit.

maybe I'll get a new one in 3 years.

[tmassey]

helmets don't change unless its dropped alot.

chemically does not change...we just get tired of looking at it...

[timotheus]

When I crash in it.

i agree with dickhead

[the_silverfox]

well considering shoei warranties their helmets for 7 years. I'd say 7 is it's design limit.

maybe I'll get a new one in 3 years.

Shoei helmets carry a five year warranty.

Personally I go 3 years or after an accident (for my last Shoei that meant 2.5 years). It also depends on frequency of use and whether or not you sweat a lot. If you're one of those people that drips bullets to the point that it'll soak through the padding I'd lean toward three because the additional moisture will break down the EPS (styrofoam) liner a lot faster.

I've inspected helmets that people have kept around for 10+ years and in many cases, the styrofoam is either super hard or crumbles in my hands. Doesn't seem like it'll protect the same way as fresh stuff...

[kawi kid]

i keep mine till deer destroy it

[chevysoldier]

i keep mine till deer destroy it

I forgot you hit a deer, you not on here enough for me to remember.

[cmoosego]

i keep mine till deer destroy it

you ride bikes???

[kawi kid]

wonder why i dont come around much

[cmoosego]

wonder why i dont come around much

Oh cheer up chumpy.... free taint rubs tomorrow...

[kawi kid]

hurry hurry huryy!!!!!!!!! TAINT RUB WEDS. ONLY ON OR.NET!!!!!!!

[NinjaNick]

I hope knodel, a member here, finally got a new one this year. He's in upper 20's and has had the same helmet since 16!! Over 10years old! I was shocked when he told me. Dude can fuggin ride and is a sponsored flat track racer, but needs a new helmet.

[kawi kid]

how is he? i havent seen him since the jim beam trip