helmet question.
 

in motorcycling... helmets are recommended not to be used after 3 years even if you didn't crash bec the integrity of the material gets compromised.

is it the same for bicycle helmets? i mean is there also a point that you should replace them even if there was no damage impact on it?

well...the recommendation is the same. when i last bought one about a year and a half ago they told me five years, and i think many manufacturers recommend 3. i think the idea is that the foam degrades from extended UV exposure.

as far as i can tell, though, whether that's actually true or just a marketing claim seems to be up for debate.

I prefer to never use mine.

good to know.

thanks.

3 years until replacement is nuts on a motorcycle helmet. Arai recommends 5 after it is used and 8 or so since it's manufacture.

On a bicycle helmet I'd actually think less time on a helmet because you sweat a lot more than on a motorcycle usually, and that's probably more of what destroys the helmet than the UV. The hard shell on the outside isn't going to get damaged to a point of not working because of UV.. but motorcycle helmets and bicycle are not built the same way so I have no idea whether a bike helmet should be replaced.

It's mostly BS so they can keep you buying new helmets. How you can tell when the styrofoam is degrading is when after a ride and you've sweated you'll see black particles on your head stuck to the sweat...that stuff is the styrofoam now beginning to degrade now it's time to replace the helmet. Most of my helmets last 8 to 12 years before the styrofoam material begins to shed.

I use to ride a MC years ago and my helmet was 15 years old by the time I got rid of the bike and it was still fine.

I forget the name but an Italian helmet company did some testing and found that a helmet with moderate use may still be safe to use up to 8 years but recommended 5 for those seeing more active use. Of course the industry standard is 3 just to be on the "safe side"

Fixed that for you.
;)