Dropped helmet replacement and ettiquette

[nvbirdman]

I would gladly pay the price of a new helmet if my dad were around to knock it off my bike.
Having said that, twenty bucks for a new face shield? Don't worry about it dad.

[Psyche44]

Sorry but I agree. You failed to remove the helmet. And while I am sure he feels bad about it, he is your old man. But on the other hand it's only the visor and letting him fork out the cash would probably put him at ease.

[A-J]

Personally, I dropped my previous helmet a couple of times at heights of no more than 3 -4 feet onto concrete with no obvious injury to it. However, when I had it oin the backrest of my Vulcan, the bike idled off the side stand and ended up slamming the helmet onto the concrete driveway, causing it to bounce literally at least 7 feet in the air, after which it bounced several more times. I retired that one, cause my dome is worth a lot more than the $150 it cost for a new one. I also replaced the one I was wearing in my lowside, cause it rung my bell pretty good, and there is a nice scar on the rear left side now. Again, my dome is worth a lot more than a new one woulda cost, even if insurance hadn't paid for it.

[idmtchris]

I would not worry about a small drop with no damage. I am concerned about Shelf life of helmets. Resins degrade after a certain amount of time and foam liners start to dry out and breakdown as well. Anyone have an idea of how long 2,3,4 years you should keep a helmet even if it does not get dropped.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by idmtchris

I would not worry about a small drop with no damage. I am concerned about Shelf life of helmets. Resins degrade after a certain amount of time and foam liners start to dry out and breakdown as well. Anyone have an idea of how long 2,3,4 years you should keep a helmet even if it does not get dropped.

Rule of thumb is no more than 5 years.

[idmtchris]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Rule of thumb is no more than 5 years.

Yeah thats what SMF and Arai say.

[kamikaze147]

Well I learned something new here. Did not think dropping you're helmet would hurt it? if so then I don't see how it hold's up to a crash o.0

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by kamikaze147

Well I learned something new here. Did not think dropping you're helmet would hurt it? if so then I don't see how it hold's up to a crash o.0

Thing is it's only designed for ONE impact to a given area. Once it impacts (with a head in it) the foam compresses so it can no longer protect you.
The primary concern with dropping it is damage to the shell. Without a head in it, the foam is not going to compress... even if the shell flexes (and it does), without a headform inside, the foam will flex with the shell to a degree.