Closing date June issue -> April 21
How long does a motorcycle helmet last? Helmets: Even though they have a limited shelf life
Well, yes: it still costs money. We've already discussed the limited lifespan of tires, brake fluid, coolant, and brake hoses. But there's something else that doesn't last forever: the motorcycle helmet.
And then you are via MAGazine, the periodical of the Motorcyclists A(ction) G(oup), pointed out Castodian.orgBart Groothuijze is concerned about crash helmets.
“Every year, approximately 400.000 motorcyclists die in traffic worldwide, representing 28% of the total number of fatal road accidents.
And at least 75% of these are caused by head injuries, resulting from unsafe helmets and poor first aid.”
Ambitions regarding safer motorcycle helmets
Bart's ambitions are not small: "In the next 10 years, we will reduce the annual number of motorcyclist deaths from traffic accidents by at least 30%. This will save tens of thousands of lives every year.
On the one hand, this means that tens of thousands of people can return to their families every year. On the other hand, it saves society billions of euros every year.
In addition to collecting and analyzing data, we share our knowledge to improve motorcyclist safety. We do this through this platform, among other things, where we share our knowledge and insights about what makes a helmet safe (7 factors) with motorcyclists, governments, emergency services, insurance companies, and helmet and motorcycle brands worldwide.
Public, because we believe that our life-saving knowledge and experience should be accessible to everyone.”
Only a heartfelt 'amen' is appropriate.
When should you replace a motorcycle helmet?
There are seven criteria established for the purchase and maintenance of motorcycle helmets.
This is how your helmet should be:
- be legal and certified
- be undamaged
- not be older than 7 years
- to fit well (tightly)
- be treated according to the instructions for use
- be clean and hygienic
- be clearly visible
And yes: those are the seven rules.
Don't buy a helmet blindly online
Castodian has ambitions. And a mission.
And thinking about motorcycle clothing is never a bad thing.
Therefore, do not buy a helmet online. Certainly not through Temu of AliExpress. Go to a real store to actually try it on.
Specifically that inner shell: houses have been made of Styrofoam for decades. If the aging is so severe according to the helmet manufacturers, at the very least all the plaster on those houses would have fallen off the walls.
12-year old research: The study by Kroeker et al. (2016), titled “Age does not affect the material properties of expanded polystyrene liners in field-used bicycle helmets,” found that the aging process of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liners in bicycle helmets has a minimal effect on their ability to attenuate impacts
Exactly! Those helmet manufacturers are just spouting nonsense. EPS can degrade under the influence of UV light, but a motorcycle helmet doesn't lie outside in the sun for years, and the inner shell certainly doesn't. The industry sells a lot of uncritical rubbish. Now, I must say that I have six helmets, but that is because I like to have something different on my head every now and then, not because they have to retire after 7 years.
The liner does not age. With the polycarbonate shell, aging occurs under the influence of UV. Composite shells do not age.
There is a test by a German motorcycle magazine from years ago where a helmet worn for 16 years still offered the same protection as when new. I have researched this in the context of the aging of military helmets. So far, I have not come across any research that supports the 7-year lifespan. More specifically, since my research a few years ago, I have not found any new studies.
So where does that 7 years currently being applied come from?
Mat Philippens
And Dolf Peeters, whom I've always held in high regard, obviously has to weigh in with the market, otherwise he won't be allowed in anywhere. It's a shame, so uncritical. Just ask those critical questions: why 7 years and not 8 or 6? What scientific evidence is behind that? Why do fiberglass boats last 50 years and helmets don't, even though they're not stamped on? Why, why, why? Just ask those questions, Peeters!
It is not that the outer layer breaks, but that the Styrofoam shell is no longer in good condition because it hardens. As a result, it absorbs the impact less effectively, causing damage to your head or worse.
No one in the helmet industry has yet been able to explain to me why polyester/fiberglass, epoxy/fiberglass/foam core, or ABS boats last 50 years or more despite being exposed to much greater stress and harsher conditions, while a motorcycle helmet that only sees wind and rain only lasts 7 years. They're afraid we all buy a helmet only once in our lives; there's nothing more to it.
400.000 deaths worldwide may be true, but that number also includes many countries where safety is handled very differently than here in our little frog country with all its do's and don'ts.
I'd like to know how many people die in our country just because of a faulty helmet.
Besides: in the more than 40 years that I've been riding a motorized two-wheeler with a helmet, I've never been checked for wearing a proper helmet, so the officer apparently doesn't consider it that important.
I can only see that seven-year "term" as simply putting pressure on the average moped or motorcycle rider for commercial purposes. Not every helmet is made of rapidly aging, inferior material; in that sense, the advice against buying online is, in my opinion, very relevant.
The only serious slide I've had in over 50 years—on my way to work; I'm not a lifestyler or a herd animal—resulted in a serious scratch on my then 20-year-old helmet. I'm so glad I was wearing that "outdated" helmet, which most likely protected me excellently from serious head injuries. That's all I've ever expected from a helmet, by the way. And humbly hope I won't need it for worse.
These seven points all have their merits, but everyone with common sense must decide for themselves how relevant they are. In principle, I applaud such an initiative, but I can't rule out a commercial interest. Try using some of those lost "billions" as a subsidy for a trade-in through the RDW or CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing) if longevity is an issue.
“7 years” is of course nonsense if you;
- little driving
– cleans without aggressive agents, such as a microfiber cloth and water, or simply cover it with a damp tea towel and soak it
– store in a cover, at least in a cupboard, away from UV rays
– you can of course also try, or practice, not to fall on your head
And of course you are not (yet) happy (with it or otherwise) 🙃
Good luck 🏍🏍
I understand it to some extent, the polystyrene (because that is what it is, no matter how compact or concentrated it may be) on the inside of the helmet slowly shrinks due to aging, heat/cold, sweat, etc., etc., etc. So over time it will provide less cushioning in the event of a fall and therefore increase the risk of injury.
The outer shell, on the other hand, can last much longer and does not need to be replaced immediately after the first minor bump or if you drop it from the saddle.