When is the Right Time to Replace Your Motorcycle Helmet?

A motorcycle helmet is a crucial piece of equipment. It does an essential job, which is to protect your head in case of an impact. It also comes in handy whenever there are harsh elements like intense sunlight, rain or dust. That means it needs to be in perfect shape at all times.

Most countries have a strict rule stating that anyone on a motorcycle should put on a helmet. Failure to do so attracts a penalty or a fine. Some like Australia even went ahead to include the specific helmet quality that you should possess. That is in a bid to ensure its citizens are safe when riding a motorcycle. But the biggest question is, when is the right time to replace your motorcycle helmet? To get a valid answer to that question, you should ask yourself questions like:

Any recent accidents?

The one thing that every motorbike owner knows is that once you crash, you need to replace your helmet. Part of that statement is correct, and part of it is not. There are very many types of crashes and so to be specific, you can only make a replacement if you were in a crash that involved hitting your head. The reason why helmet replacement is essential after such an accident is because these devices can only withstand a single crash.

That is because the helmet has a foam within the shell. During a crash, the foam absorbs the energy created, and that makes it crack. As soon as that happens, your helmet becomes useless. You thus need to examine your helmet and find out if the foam is intact or not. It is by far one of the easy things that can tell you when to replace your motorcycle helmet. You should also know that as soon as you realize the foam has a crack, even if the helmet is a day old, it can no longer protect you.

How Old is Your Helmet?

So let’s say you are one of those people who ride their bikes carefully to avoid any crashes, how do you know it’s time to make a helmet replacement? In that case, you need to know how long have you been with your helmet. The answer to that question is going to let you know if its time. Ideally, you need to replace your motorcycle helmet after every five years. That is under normal circumstances. So if you bought your dirt bike five years ago with the helmet, you should be thinking of getting a new helmet.

You should also know that the aging of your motorcycle helmet depends on your usage. If you ride your bike regularly, then you are likely to replace your helmet sooner. That is because the more you ride, the more the helmet gets exposure to destructive elements like the UV rays. You thus find that after some time, the helmet weakens and that deems it unfit for use.

Does It Still Fit You?

A new helmet should fit you perfectly well without leaving any spaces. That is because it can only work effectively if your head remains in the center position. But then, as you continue to use your helmet, it tends to become loose due to various factors. The first factor is the expansion of the shell and the foam. The second reason is due to the deterioration of the inner materials, thus leaving gaps. Those are signs that a helmet needs replacement. So once you notice them, don’t ignore them.

You should thus visit Brisbane motorcycles and start shopping for a new bike. Remember, in case you crash with the loose helmet, it may not be able to protect you from the impact effectively. That is because the foam is weak, and so is the shell. It is also because your head will be moving in the helmet and so you may hit your head at a wrong angle.

Check Your Visor for Visibility

The same reason a heat shield protects your legs from the exhaust pipe’s heat is the same way a visor protects your eyes from elements. That is because both the two things come between your eyes and the imminent danger. You should, however, note that whether your visor comes with a tint or not, it should be completely visible. That is so that you have a clear view of the road to avoid any accidents.

So look through the visor and make sure that you can see clearly. If you are having any visual problems, go ahead and replace your motorcycle helmet. That is because the helmet is among the bike accessories that should increase your comfort. One of that comfort is clear vision.

Minor details

Other minor details can easily indicate that your motorcycle requires replacement. One of these details includes faulty straps. Once your straps and locks become defective due to corrosion, you should go ahead and make a replacement. You should also check the inner liner of the helmet as well as the condition of the shell. These are things that can quickly tell you whether the helmet is effective or not.

Also, check the padding and make sure it has the right density. If the padding starts depreciating in quality, and the density reduces, then you know your helmet can no longer handle its tasks. These minor details included on the above provide a clear picture as to when you need to replace your motorcycle. It is also advisable that you don’t make any assumptions but instead start searching to see if you come across any of the above stated minor details.

So far, those are some of the questions that answer when you should replace your motorcycle helmet and why. Each question enables you to come up with crucial answers which can easily help you to know when the helmet replacement time comes. The age of the motorcycle helmet, any recent crash, and whether it fits are so far the leading indicators.

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