Its alleged Hugh Hefner once said of his Gentleman Sausage ''Use it or loose it''
So I wondered how that might apply to my helmet; no not my 'wiener helmet' but my biking helmet!
After buying the BMW 1200GS, Mr C exhumed her biking gear from the depths of the wardrobe.
Her kit had been away for some 20 years, carefully stored in original packing.
Whilst the Dainese leather touring jacket, trousers, gloves and boots were in fine shape (they all still fitted!!); her helmet was not so good.
Back when we were both happy bikers we bought Shark lids (good enough for Carl Fogerty's World Superbike rides, so good enough for us).
On first inspection her helmet looked to be in perfect condition.
Only when we examined the interior did our worries begin. As can be seen the interior 'comfort' foam padding has deteriorated completely.
This lid is only fit for the bin!
Now I had on occasion recently used my own Shark helmet on test runs with 'Taffy' the flat tracker, as its quick and easy to put the helmet on.
I did wonder why the fit seemed lose, and the helmet kept creeping forward during use. So after Pam's issues I decided to check out my Shark helmet interior more closely.
More horrors were to be found here too.
Pulling back the interior fabrics showed my lid had also suffered in the same way.
So another one for the bin!
Doing some Further research I also discovered the the actual sacrificial 'Crush' or 'Safety Layers' are generally made of polystyrene, they also degrade over time.
This obviously has a big issues for the performance of the helmet in the event of an accident; and therefore its ability to protect the users head.
I further discovered that many manufacturers now recommend a helmet is changed every 5 years, even if undamaged.
Yesterday following extensive research Mrs C and I bought two new Shoei Neotec 2 helmets; with custom fitment by the retailer.
The boxes state '5 year warranty' but this is not on the helmet itself. I think the actual helmet itself should have a permanent manufactured date stamp to back this up.
They are extremely comfortable and very plush inside. Highly recommended by many bike journals; and also offered as standard issue by the British Motorcycle Police.
The lids have excellent safety features to enable the ambulance service to remove the helmet safely and quickly in the event of an accident.
At £600.00 ($700.00) they are expensive; although they are Shoei's top of the range flip lids. What price do you put on your head?
With a 5 year service life this works out at £120.00 ($155.00) per year per helmet.
You can also get a Sena SRL-MESH Intercom specifically designed be custom to fit to this lid.
Be cautious if you see helmets such as this showing big retail discounts in bike shops. They are probably 'old stock' items the dealer needs to shift quickly; and may have been on his storage shelves for several years!
Finally be cautious of buying second hand helmets. You have no idea of the age, care or use they have been exposed to; even if they look great.
The lid needs to work if you ever need it to protect you.
Now I'm off to suck a saveloy! (with some chips maybe!!).
Ads,
So I wondered how that might apply to my helmet; no not my 'wiener helmet' but my biking helmet!
After buying the BMW 1200GS, Mr C exhumed her biking gear from the depths of the wardrobe.
Her kit had been away for some 20 years, carefully stored in original packing.
Whilst the Dainese leather touring jacket, trousers, gloves and boots were in fine shape (they all still fitted!!); her helmet was not so good.
Back when we were both happy bikers we bought Shark lids (good enough for Carl Fogerty's World Superbike rides, so good enough for us).
On first inspection her helmet looked to be in perfect condition.
Only when we examined the interior did our worries begin. As can be seen the interior 'comfort' foam padding has deteriorated completely.
This lid is only fit for the bin!
Now I had on occasion recently used my own Shark helmet on test runs with 'Taffy' the flat tracker, as its quick and easy to put the helmet on.
I did wonder why the fit seemed lose, and the helmet kept creeping forward during use. So after Pam's issues I decided to check out my Shark helmet interior more closely.
More horrors were to be found here too.
Pulling back the interior fabrics showed my lid had also suffered in the same way.
So another one for the bin!
Doing some Further research I also discovered the the actual sacrificial 'Crush' or 'Safety Layers' are generally made of polystyrene, they also degrade over time.
This obviously has a big issues for the performance of the helmet in the event of an accident; and therefore its ability to protect the users head.
I further discovered that many manufacturers now recommend a helmet is changed every 5 years, even if undamaged.
Yesterday following extensive research Mrs C and I bought two new Shoei Neotec 2 helmets; with custom fitment by the retailer.
The boxes state '5 year warranty' but this is not on the helmet itself. I think the actual helmet itself should have a permanent manufactured date stamp to back this up.
They are extremely comfortable and very plush inside. Highly recommended by many bike journals; and also offered as standard issue by the British Motorcycle Police.
The lids have excellent safety features to enable the ambulance service to remove the helmet safely and quickly in the event of an accident.
At £600.00 ($700.00) they are expensive; although they are Shoei's top of the range flip lids. What price do you put on your head?
With a 5 year service life this works out at £120.00 ($155.00) per year per helmet.
You can also get a Sena SRL-MESH Intercom specifically designed be custom to fit to this lid.
Be cautious if you see helmets such as this showing big retail discounts in bike shops. They are probably 'old stock' items the dealer needs to shift quickly; and may have been on his storage shelves for several years!
Finally be cautious of buying second hand helmets. You have no idea of the age, care or use they have been exposed to; even if they look great.
The lid needs to work if you ever need it to protect you.
Now I'm off to suck a saveloy! (with some chips maybe!!).
Ads,
