How long do your helmets last?

[Cobia]

5+ Years and no signs of wearing out.

When I got my XS11G I used a thrift store bought 3/4 helmet my son had laying around. Used that in the interim until I could replace it with a real lid.
After a lot of research and visits to the cycle shops to check for fit, I opted for a Zox NevadoR. Webbikeworld.com had nothing but good things to say about in this review: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...ox-azuma-r.htm
And for $89US, it was hard to beat.
I've had that one for about 5 yrs without any indication of anything breaking down or deteriorating. I used it everyday when I rode to work and back under the hot Florida sun. Fit and finish were extraordinary.
Liked it so much that when I saw the review for the Zox Nevado flip up, I ordered one for $99US. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...et/zox-nevado/
It's been my preferred helmet for 4 years now.
Granted, I don't always (usually) wear a helmet because of the heat and the short rides, but any distance riding will find a lid on my head.
Worried about my lidless short rides around town I decided to look into a half lid..... once again I stumbled upon a Zox on sale, shipped, for $30US.
http://www.zoxhelmets.com/86-11061_en.html
I use this one almost all the time and it's orange color helps with visibility.
Just my .02 cents worth.

[gareth]

duWayne,

My current HJC only lasted 4 months...

Your helmet lasted exactly as long as it was supposed to...

Hope you're feeling better..

G.

[madmax-im]

I agree, I always comparison shop for helmets, my 150 dollar helmet passed the same DOT and Snell tests your 500 dollar helmet did. The biggest difference is in the options, a more expensive helmet might be quieter, be lighter, have better venting, etc. But to me those things just aren't worth the extra money.

I also don't buy the "if you drop it you have to buy a new one" thing, just a way for helmet manufacturers to make more money, no way an empty helmet hitting the floor causes enough damage to mater.

Disagree...just because you dont see any damage externally doesnt mean it isnt damaged internally...The foam in between layers is designed to work one time in an impact...so if you drop it there a good chance the internal layers have been compromised...you wont know it unless you sustain a head injury at some later point in time...God forbid...It amazes me how cheap some people are..Whats your head/well being worth?
Oh and my helmets get replaced every 5 yrs

[MaximPhil]

My current HJC only lasted 4 months...
Glad I had it though.

So are we Duwayne. Are you off the high power drugs yet?
Hope you are feeling better and everything is getting back to normal.
Phil

[jeffe]

My Arai Quantum/e is getting pretty old. The foam is starting to go...it's time to replace it. I spoke to the Arai reps at the big Motorcycle show here last year. I asked about getting new foam for my helmet. He asked, "what model is it?"

When I said, "Quantum/e"...his jaw dropped...

Then, he gave me some spiel about how I was gonna die when I had a wreck, blah, blah, blah...So, I asked him if he thought I'd be better off not wearing any helmet.

<crickets>

I just checked Competition Accessories...they're selling Quantum 2's for under $400.

I'm convinced it's time to start looking for a new lid.

Robert

May want to check out Iron Pony.

http://www.ironpony.com/

[cywelchjr]

Disagree...just because you dont see any damage externally doesnt mean it isnt damaged internally...The foam in between layers is designed to work one time in an impact...so if you drop it there a good chance the internal layers have been compromised...you wont know it unless you sustain a head injury at some later point in time...God forbid...It amazes me how cheap some people are..Whats your head/well being worth?
Oh and my helmets get replaced every 5 yrs

I would agree and disagree. A helmet is designed to absorb an impact with an 11 pound or so head inside of it. It's the weight of your head inside that crushes the foam to absorb the impact. It it can't take a fall of 3 feet or so with nothing in it, then I don't trust it to protect my head. The outer shell serve the purpose of preventing objects from penetrating, and is capable of absorbing quite a bit of impact. Again, if a 3 or so foot fall is going to damage it's ability to protect, then it has no business being on my head.

Now, if the drop was with a bowling ball in it, then yes, it's no longer properly protecting, but with nothing in it, the air is not going to compress the liner, and it's not going to compress under it's own weight in that short of a fall.

[Rstyduck]

Lets see, my 1/2 bucket was purchased in 93 after the fuzz took my lid away from me on the side of the road.
Apparently they dont like baseball helmuts with chin straps riveted to them.
I hate lids, dont want a lid.

But my lid has deep scratches in it, tar stuck to it, old stickers on it, the foam is coming apart, generally in real bad shape.

When i go in to buy my next lid im looking for the smallest, cheapest crap there is.

LID LAWS SUCK!! LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE!!

[dpotter58]

LID LAWS SUCK!! LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE!!

Couldn't agree more. I decided years ago when Maryland didn't have a helmet law to wear mine. Still do even when traveling to states that don't require them with the rare exception.

[cywelchjr]

Couldn't agree more. I decided years ago when Maryland didn't have a helmet law to wear mine. Still do even when traveling to states that don't require them with the rare exception.

I agree. I believe in helmet use (and seat belt use as well) but I appose helmet and seat belt laws.

[Rstyduck]

Yup, i HAVE to wear a helmet but punk kid on rice rocket can wear flip flops and hawaiian shorts.

[madmax-im]

Yup, i HAVE to wear a helmet but punk kid on rice rocket can wear flip flops and hawaiian shorts.

hey you can wear flip flops and a hawaiian shirt...whats stopping you?...Maybe its a little thing called common sense? Same can be said for wearing a helmet...But i do agree that laws mandating what we can and cant do suck. Where is the freedom of choice? My choice is to ride ATGMTT (all the gear Most of the time) based upon what I percieve is common sense to me. YMWV (your mileage will vary)

[dpotter58]

My choice is to ride ATGMTT (all the gear Most of the time) based upon what I percieve is common sense to me. YMWV (your mileage will vary)

Nobody rocks that flaming yellow green chartruse armour like you Ben...

[Crazcnuk]

"but I appose helmet and seat belt laws. "

I oppose this type of law too. I feel Darwin's law will take care of those that aren't bright enough to take care of themselves.


No better time to start cleaning the gene pool.

[Gyrogearloose]

&quot;Wingers&quot; crash.

Oh, you heard about the Goldwingers on the way to Billings for their national? Car in front suddenly stiops, sending all of the bikers into emergency stop mode....all except the last rider. He crashed into his wife's trailer; broken shoulder, multiple broken ribs with resulting collapsed lungs, and shattered pelvis. Oh, and his helmet worn down to almost going through. That lid saved his life. He's back home now from being airlifted via Lear Jet to Harborview, and planning his next new bike...from the seat of his 3 wheeler-chair. More not-a-coincidence?..Right behind him was a paramedic followed by an on-call doctor, followed by an empty ambulance. I'd say he was being watched over.

[TopCatGr58]

Just a friendly reminder.

Hey folks,

This thread was about how long your helmets lasted. It's starting to veer off course into political ( use/don't use ) opinion area, and some folks feel very strongly for both sides. We would like to avoid discussions like this because they often turn into arguments resulting in hurt feelings, warnings issued, thread closed, etc..

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