Helmet life

Any General info on Mechanics based on 'all' bikes...

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billinom8s
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Helmet life

Post by billinom8s »

Ok, so we all have different model lids and have different favorites but what i am asking is this,

HOW LONG DO THEY LAST ?

I have had my OGK for a few years now and was wondering if it was still safe.
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scorcher
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Re: Helmet life

Post by scorcher »

Arai recommend replacement after 5 years. Doubt that means its unsafe though.If your head is only in your helmet for 3000 miles a year (compared to someone else that has their head in their helmet for 25000 miles a year) and you give it regular maintenance, I guess your helmet will still feel and look good after 5 years and there is little reason to change it.

On the other hand, you only have one head and one chance when it all goes wrong. Do you want to risk it for the sake of a few hundred pounds?
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Re: Helmet life

Post by DynaMight »

I dont think you'll ever get a real answer from any helmet manufacturer because if a helmet lasted a life time they wouldnt sell as many helmets! Send off emails to Arai, Shoei, OGK, Shark, Roof and all the other helmet manufacturers and see what they say.

Just crash every once and a while, helps keep me in supply of new helmets.
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Re: Helmet life

Post by delvey91 »

Had mine for 5 years. Its been dropped, rolled down hills many times and im sure its still good :)
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Re: Helmet life

Post by TLS-Moose »

Polycarbonate helmets used to have a shorter lifespan due to UV intolerance/ageing, but modern plastics don't seem to have the same issues now. Fibreglass/composite resins and materials are generally very UV stable, especially once painted/laquered, so no real ageing issues there either. The big one is that most helmets still use expanded polystyrene in one form or other for the internal padding, aand over time that compresses meaning two things - the helmet fit is sloppier and there will be less cushioning of the skull in the event of an accident.

I would guess that if the helmet has been looked after, cleaned, and is still a good snug fit, then it will do it's job no matter what its age. If it is loose, grubby, and has been dropped several times, then whilst it will do its job to some degree the overall level of protection is not likely to be quite as good.

As with what Gav said, I doubt you will ever get a definitive answer to that question :-?
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billinom8s
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Re: Helmet life

Post by billinom8s »

I took my ogk lid into Bridge today just to get some advice - what a mistake ! Their so called specialist took of look at my lid, said he had never heard of ogk so they were probably some cheap make. But he did have some arai and shoei lids that would be far better.


Tossers.
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Re: Helmet life

Post by julian »

as long as they are accident free and been looked after ...forever 8) if it starts to look tatty, get rid of it :)
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Re: Helmet life

Post by Smiler »

LMFAO @ Bridge!!!!!!

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Re: Helmet life

Post by scorcher »

billinom8s wrote:I took my ogk kid into Bridge today just to get some advice - what a mistake ! Their so called specialist took of look at my lid, said he had never heard of ogk so they were probably some cheap make. But he did have some arai and shoei lids that would be far better.


Tossers.
I had to google OGK as I have never heard of them. Google threw up some £100 lids on E-bay and at J+S. You might aswell throw that old ratty one away and buy a new one for the sake of 100 notes :p :mrgreen:
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Re: Helmet life

Post by bambam »

i have heard of ogk.
i think they tried to get into the u.k. market a few years ago as i remember some bsb riders (plater) wearing them.
i think they were aimed at the middle price range market a bit cheaper than shoei,arai etc.
i think the change every five years is what most manufacturers would say.
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Re: Helmet life

Post by DynaMight »

bambam wrote:i have heard of ogk.
i think they tried to get into the u.k. market a few years ago as i remember some bsb riders (plater) wearing them.
i think they were aimed at the middle price range market a bit cheaper than shoei,arai etc.
i think the change every five years is what most manufacturers would say.
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Re: Helmet life

Post by bambam »

i know i do
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Re: Helmet life

Post by badgerKDD »

So how do OGK stand up to using them to piss in? Only wondered thats all :-\ \:D/ #-o
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billinom8s
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Re: Helmet life

Post by billinom8s »

Have to say, it's the best helmet I have owned. Dead comfy and light weight. Ok it night not have arai or shoei on it but would certainly get another
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Re: Helmet life

Post by deej »

billinom8s wrote:Have to say, it's the best helmet I have owned. Dead comfy and light weight. Ok it night not have arai or shoei on it but would certainly get another
OGK's have a good reputation and those that use them swear by them the problem they had was bad distribution, look at the riders that have worn them, hislop,whitham,jeffries,plater they wouldnt put crap on their had thats for sure. the problem you'll have with a ogk is they havent been in the uk for a fair few years now so will be reaching the end of its shelf life. Nothing lasts for ever especially a helmet,when you look into the make up of a helmet you'll realise its not the shell that weakens but the polystyrene foam inside and you need that to work properly.

Si if your in doubt about it then its probably time to change it, if your happy with it keep using it. Personally I'd always stick to the 5 year rule and change it
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