**** Do helmets have an expireation date?

[Lucar]

According to Shoei, its helmets should be replaced five years after the purchase date, or seven years after the production date. The production date is on a sticker inside the helmet under the padding near the ear. The date is shown in the YY/MM/DD format, so for example yours would say 08/XX/XX if it was made in the same year you bought it.Even a new, unworn helmet should be replaced on this schedule, because the EPS linerthe part of the helmet between the outer shell and the inner comfort linerchanges over time.

The older the EPS is the less able it is to absorb impact and protect you in a crash. Shoeis seven-year limit from the date of production takes into account the EPSs useful life, regardless of whether the helmet has been worn. An old enough helmet, even though its never been taken out of the box, might not protect you as well as it did when the helmet was new.Shoeis replacement recommendations are best-case approximations.

You should replace your helmet regardless of its age if you drop it or if the liner separates from the outer shell, starts to break up, or has been exposed to solvent or enough heat to melt it. Of course, if you crash and your helmet sustains an impact, no matter how slight, retire it to a shelf in the garage.

Helmet Shelf Life | Answers

March 15, 2013
By Jerry SmithPhotos
By Motorcyclist Archives

[bumblebee]

I've read that the sun's ultraviolet can cause the outer she'll to become more brittle and subject to cracking in an impact as well.

[TheFantasticG]

Same thing with the hardhats out on the job site. Have to be replaced every five years or after impact.

[r6racer]

I know for cmra safety regulations, your helmet can not be more than 5 years older than the manufacturers date. but it just depends on how picky you want to be about the protection for your head

[Mr.337]

it is because they update the Snell rating every 5 years. they come up with better safer designs and materials. Umayr is correct a helmet with a date older then 5 yrs or older then Snell 2010 rating wont be allowed to race with. not saying they wont do any good in a crash but why not get a new up to date design that safer

[Lucar]

Great guys, this is the info all noobs need to get to know. Keep it up.

[Mr.337]

lol now who wants to buy my HJC RPS-10 Ben Spies monster replica raced in for 2 years a FEW minor crashes lol. mine still passes tech according to Linz haha but I do need to get a new lid.

[pester]

same with certs,, just another way to force you to by a new one
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