helmet question?

[ar1300]

ive had a couple of other riders tell me. that if you drop your helmet from a 5 foot drop. the helmet wont "work" anymore. that it is only made to protect you once and one time only. is the true? i wouldnt ask if i didnt know.

[1hander]

if i drop it, i usually buy another, some guys think thats a bit too extreme, but its my head and money is no object, id hate for the helmet to fall apart at an inopportune moment

[hardcoresteve]

depends on the surface and the noise it makes when it makes contact. i have droped dirtbike helmets and crashed and used the same one over and over...but thts not the same speeds or surface most of the time its dirt or sand

[Squanto84]

It's very true...

The shell of the helmet is made to disperse an impact over a larger area, for the foam in the helem to absorb. An impact to the shell created something like stress cracks, weakening the shell. As i understand it, if the helem takes two hits to the same area, it is possible for the shell to collapse and transfer the force directly to the soft (in comparison) foam and then to the skull. there should be other writeups around here or the net.. If you want a more technical answer, call or email the guys at "The Service Pavilion". They are an Arai specialist. http://www.theservicepavilion.com/ or call 877-819-2245. They are in Pennsylvania, but work with individuals around the US. Ask for Robert. I know there are local places youi could call like MU, as I know patrick will have a more accurate response, but at 1:15 AM, this is all my brain is worth!

cheers..

[Squanto84]

hmmmm.... Congrats Marcus Brooks, you're a weiner! :keke:

[akestler]

wow are u kiddin me (Marcu$Brooks)?

[soap4life]

you know how i know im ghey when i saw helmet all i thought of was used condoms
marcus you are gay

[RACER X]

ive had a couple of other riders tell me. that if you drop your helmet from a 5 foot drop. the helmet wont "work" anymore. that it is only made to protect you once and one time only. is the true? i wouldnt ask if i didnt know.

FALSE

"I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?
Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred. In general the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, that you avoid hitting stuff with your head. It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional. Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections. The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it. "

http://www.smf.org/ <------SNELL Memorial foundation.

[less_than_coop]

^^BAM! Racer X'ed that question!

Thansks for the info!

[RACER X]

thats why i'm paid the big $, lol

[less_than_coop]

:notworthy all praise msf guru:notworthy

[bumblebee]

Racer X is right. If your head is in the helmet when it hits the ground then it prolly should be replaced.
If it was empty then it'll be ok.
The impact in a crash is not absorbed by the shell, it is absorbed by the foam lining inside (not the soft comfy foam). The polystyrene foam in the helmet is usually painted black. If after an impact you can see little cracks in the black paint that indicates the foam was compressed by your head. The foam will only work once so that spot will no longer protect you as well as before.
The hard outer shell is mostly to hold the foam together and distribute the impact force over a wider area.
Bottom line... If you drop your helmet don't worry about it. Just cuss yourself for scratching expensive stuff.

[A303]

Racer X is right. If your head is in the helmet when it hits the ground then it prolly should be replaced.
If it was empty then it'll be ok.
The impact in a crash is not absorbed by the shell, it is absorbed by the foam lining inside (not the soft comfy foam). The polystyrene foam in the helmet is usually painted black. If after an impact you can see little cracks in the black paint that indicates the foam was compressed by your head. The foam will only work once so that spot will no longer protect you as well as before.
The hard outer shell is mostly to hold the foam together and distribute the impact force over a wider area.
Bottom line... If you drop your helmet don't worry about it. Just cuss yourself for scratching expensive stuff.


Yeah i dropped my x11 like a month after i got it:BangHead:
I was pissed.

[Patrick]

FALSE

"I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?
Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred. In general the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, that you avoid hitting stuff with your head. It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional. Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections. The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it. "

http://www.smf.org/ <------SNELL Memorial foundation.


+1

[Urban Ninja]

Just tape your hands to your lid man. But yea, it's your head. I'd rather spend 4 or 5 bills on a new helmet than bite the big one. Just my 2 cents.

[NO MORE F4I]

hahaha mine still works fine, and its met mr.concrete on a number of occasions