What is the shelf life of a motorcycle helmet?

[BigEbusa]

What is the shelf life of a motorcycle helmet? Local shop is offering a close out prices on a suomy spec 1r extreme Bostrom for a great price. Only thing is that the manufacture date is 2004. Is the helmet still good to ride with? Its been in there back room with all the other accessories in a climate controlled room.

[BigEbusa]

Oh the price is going to be from $140 to $160 tops out the door.

[185EZ]

5 years is the norm for a "worn" helmet. Not sure how much it would break down sitting on the shelf.

[1882]

Shelf life is 5 years or so, I'd pass.....

[Shifty1]

I'd pass too. Just because the last "helmet expiration date" thread got so heated, I went and dug out a helmet I bought about 6 years ago and never wore. I bought it to custom paint it and use it for a sales display at car and bike shows. It was never worn by anyone. Anyway, I took it out of storage and all of the foam inside it is weak. There is no way I would trust it to protect my head in a crash.

[imrubicon]

the foam inside gets mushy from the ozone in the air . I have a old one also that you can just push your finger inot the foam. its age is greater than 7 years . I crashed in it and it has a gash on the side . I keep it hanging high on the wall where I park my bikes . Reminds me about being stupid ..............

[jollyroger]

See guys-THAT's why you spend "a bit extree" on an ARAI! I've got my original from 2000.A Signet.I've crashed in it-but no real damage to it(scrape on the left rear side)-it still is just as firm and usable as the day I got it.(I NOW have a new Arai Profile "Force"-bitchen lid-probably last as long if not LONGER!)AND QUIET!!!!(the Soumy ought to be okay-I'd wear it as long as it seems to be "virtually" like new(the foam and stuff).I'm thinkin-maybe wrong here-if ya hit THAT hard to break the outer shell and crunch the inside somehow-yer probably gonna be dead anyway?I don't think any helmet(new or used)is gonna save ya in a head-on or slammin yer head into a tree at speed.Glancing blows-you'd probably be okay.Slides-probably no problem.I'd trust a 5 year old quality helmet anyday.(chemicals and paint will trash a helmet after a while).

[Hammerhead]

Arai warrants their stuff for 5 years. If a helmet has never been crashed or severely dropped and the inner lining is in good shape, wear it. Do you send your bike to the crusher when the warranty runs out? Any brand-new lid should be good for at least 5 years unless it has been stored in the presence of solvents or in the sun. I believe Arai will warrant any NOS helmet for 2 years regardless of date of manufacture if it has been kept in the original box. Display models are only warranteed for 5 years from manufacture date due to the wear and tear.

[JBearSVT]

[185EZ]

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

Is that your test for a SVT approved helmet?

[JBearSVT]

No, that would require a steering wheel and/or windshield.

[BigEbusa]

The helmet is new and is not a floor model. Tried it on and everything felt solid. No issues with the inner padding and foam being soft.

[Kawi_T]

I've been going to the track a lot lately and every time I go the tech guy inspects my helmet. 5 years is the limit, anything older and the tech guy wont let you race.

[imrubicon]

Most maker recomend replacing after 5 years due to Ozone and stuff decreasing the helmet insides . I live in a hot area and wouldnt want to wear it much longer , Dont know if I would brag Im still wearing a helmet 9 years old . the one in my garage is a higher cost helmet just after a good bang its a reminder that sh$^& happens to us all

[jollyroger]

I hope no "sh#%" happens to any of us!!I would definitely wear my old Arai-even though it is 9 years old.(I did replace her with the Profile-just because).Glad I did.My profile is a bitchen helmet-very nice(and quiet).Me likes quiet.And bitchen.And my brains(what few I've got left).