I bought a new ???? helmet

[Deanna777]

HI

I just bought a new HJC I90 helmet.

It is lightweight, and quiet.

It has built in speaker pockets, and built-in channels for speaker wires, and boom mike.

It has a internal drop down sun shield, which is operated by a smooth wire lever that is easy to reach on the bottom of the shell.

It is also Bluetooth compatible.

low profile

It has a increased view for a wider vision on the road, and a rapid-fire, shield.

Cool interior

It fits snug.


Deanna

[BajaRon]

Just sold one of these to a customer. He likes it. But states that it fits about 1 size smaller than his previous Nolan helmet. $299.00

[Excoastie]

They're great helmets. I have been using the same helmet for about 6 months. I have been using HJC helmets for years; great price, good fit, etc.

--Exco

[Bangorbob]

Congrats. I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. I had to go up one size for it to fit. Can't wait to get it.

[Deanna777]

Congrats. I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. I had to go up one size for it to fit. Can't wait to get it.

I bought my helmet from a can am dealership. I got a good price.

Deanna

[Deanna777]

Just sold one of these to a customer. He likes it. But states that it fits about 1 size smaller than his previous Nolan helmet. $299.00

My previous (old) helmet was a Zox. I had the Zox for long time.

( off topic, I went -in to our local can-am dealership looking for some ice scratchers for my sled, I don't have much down time between the motorcycle season and sled season).

Back on topic: I like my new helmet.

Deanna

[troop]

I have a couple HJC helmets. Good stuff for the $$.

[ARtraveler]

on the new helmet Deanna.

New riding gear is great. Like starting all over.

[rjinaz86323]

Used a Nolan N-103 for years until it started getting loose. I purchased a Shark Evo-One to replace it. Great helmet.

[pidjones]

Two pluses for HJC: one, you can often get replacement parts and liners, and two, they hold up well and protect well in a get off (verified personally in 2016).

[RykerRider1959]

Im still wearing my Arctic Cat (HJC) helmet the dealer gave me in 1994 when I bought my ZR 700...Probably close to 150,000 miles and I lost count of how many dozen replacement shields I have gone thru...

[Deanna777]

on the new helmet Deanna.

New riding gear is great. Like starting all over.

Thanks!

Yes, it is like starting over, but I'm not.
Deanna

[Deanna777]

Im still wearing my Arctic Cat (HJC) helmet the dealer gave me in 1994 when I bought my ZR 700...Probably close to 150,000 miles and I lost count of how many dozen replacement shields I have gone thru...

I got my new helmet at a Can-am dealership,( off topic: I went in looking to some rear ice scratchers for my sled, which is a 2020 Ski-Doo 900 Ace Renegade, the sled season is around the corner).

Back on topic

That is good to know.

Deanna

[RayBJ]

Most, if not all helmet makers claim a helmet should be replaced after:
1. a crash with helmet contact
2. 5 year old (due to material degradation over time)
Granted, helmets can still look perfect after many years but run the risk of failing when needed in a mishap.

Since returning to the wind therapy in 2008, I've gone thru 1 Nolan N103, 2 HJC RHPA Max, 1 speed & Strength, 1 Klim, and 1 HJC C90. All but the Klim have internal visors and all are modular. The HJC RPHA Max was miles ahead of all the others but no longer available. My go-to now is the HJC C90. If the Klim had an inner visor, it would be on top.

[Deanna777]

Most, if not all helmet makers claim a helmet should be replaced after:
1. a crash with helmet contact
2. 5 year old (due to material degradation over time)
Granted, helmets can still look perfect after many years but run the risk of failing when needed in a mishap.

Since returning to the wind therapy in 2008, I've gone thru 1 Nolan N103, 2 HJC RHPA Max, 1 speed & Strength, 1 Klim, and 1 HJC C90. All but the Klim have internal visors and all are modular. The HJC RPHA Max was miles ahead of all the others but no longer available. My go-to now is the HJC C90. If the Klim had an inner visor, it would be on top.

How do you like the HJC C90 helmet?

Deanna

[RayBJ]

I like it because it moves air across my head when 100+ and is warm (no other headgear) in the cold. It fits my head shape, is on the lighter side, has the flip-down visor, is modular, and I bought it 2 years ago for $240. As I mentioned above, the HJC RPHA Max was easily the best yet but the C90 is very good. I don't like D-rings so I converted the C90 to a clip closure.

[Saluda]

Im still wearing my Arctic Cat (HJC) helmet the dealer gave me in 1994 when I bought my ZR 700...Probably close to 150,000 miles and I lost count of how many dozen replacement shields I have gone thru...

Didn't think it was suggested to run helmets that long.

[Peter Aawen]

Didn't think it was suggested to run helmets that long.

. Officially, they only have a life of Five years here in Oz!

[RykerRider1959]

Didn't think it was suggested to run helmets that long.

Marketing Propaganda

[Saluda]

Marketing Propaganda

Don't think so, but it's your head. Over 25 years is really pushing it. I've had interior foam degrade after 5 years let alone sun and shock (drops and hits through the years) exposure to the exterior.

[RykerRider1959]

Don't think so, but it's your head. Over 25 years is really pushing it. I've had interior foam degrade after 5 years let alone sun and shock (drops and hits through the years) exposure to the exterior.

Show me the data other than the manufacturers words...There should be some testing video to backup their claims...The manufacturers dont have the stones to actually put an expiration date on each helmet...Opens them up for insurance liability issues...Heres a good read...

https://bikerestart.com/when-do-moto...elmets-expire/

[cruisinTX]

Don't think so, but it's your head. Over 25 years is really pushing it.

Agreed, when I bought a new bike back in 2000, I got two helmets thrown into the deal. I had a good friend and one of my brothers living close by at the time. So, I got one helmet in the next larger size that would fit them in the event they might want to ride my bike from time to time. As luck would have it, neither of them ever took me up on the loan offer so that larger helmet hung on the wall in my shop for at least 15 years before I ever gave it another thought. At that point I took a good look at it and realized the soft foam around the crown had completely hardened and disintegrated while the firmer liner right under the shell had become very hard. I certainly would not trust it's older condition to protect me properly. I wish I had paid closer attention each year to see at what point it might have actually become dangerous to use. Rest assured, even a helmet that has not been worn will become unsafe after a period of time. I'm just guessing that 5 year recommendation by manufacturers is a little bit of a marketing ploy but also a little bit of a safety/liability concern.

[Pooch]

I had unused helmets hanging in the garage for 9 years… no deterioration evident.. wore one occasionally when not using my current, at the time, helmet. Sold them all in 2017 when I moved. However.. my old Shoei full face helmet from 1980 … kept in the house on a shelf… the foam had rotted away by 2017 … so tossed it.

[troop]

I'm on the fence about the (5) year helmet life theory. I have (6) helmets hanging on hooks in my garage, (2) that are 8+ years. I use all six. During the season, they hang in the garage, in their bags. Off season, they are in their original bags/box in the basement, in a cool dry environment. I wash liners when needed. They are all in great shape. Are they exposed to UV? Sure. If they were banged up/dropped, I would replace. That said, I feel that my noggin is perfectly safe with my 8+ year old helmets.

[BajaRon]

Ah! Helmet longevity and replacement criteria. You'll get as many opinions on this as you will on which oil to use. Most just go with what they are told. 5 years and it's done. Most believe that a Snell rated helmet is better than a DOT only helmet. When the science, and real life accidents, have been showing us for years that this is not true. The power of marketing (or propaganda, as some will call it). Never underestimate it.

Understandably, most do not take the time to examine the data and come to their own conclusions. This is true in most every aspect of our lives. If you go with the 5 years and done, you'll probably be fine, though your wallet may suffer unnecessarily, depending on what helmet you have.

I know, 'What is your head worth'. And I understand the argument. So, why not purchase a new helmet every year? Or, every 6 months then? You see, we all draw the line somewhere. And as with every curve, some are wasting a lot of money, and some are living beyond the edge. Again, it's life. It will always be so.

To look at this question rationally, you first need to look at the quality of materials, design and construction. Have a cheap helmet? 5 years may be too long. Have a high quality helmet? It will, with care, do a great job of protecting your head for much longer than the 5 year recommendation. The part that deteriorates, (interior liner-padding) can be replaced on most mid-range, and all high end helmets. The inner and outer shell on a high quality helmet can give original design service for at least 10 years.

I have been dealing in Arai helmets since 2000. A very good helmet. They have a date of manufacture stamp in the D-Ring. Arai says '5 years from the date put into service, or 7 years from date of manufacture, whichever comes first'. Arai acknowledges that very little, if any, deterioration occurs until you start using the helmet. It is the oils, salts, and dirt that you grind into the liner materials that deteriorates them. Though most of the shell curing (hardening & strengthening) process happens within a few days of manufacture. The shell actually continues to get slightly stronger for quite some time after manufacture.

The other factor you need to take into consideration are advances in materials, construction and design which do a better job of protecting your head in an accident. Sometimes there are leaps and bounds in a 5 year period. Sometimes, not so much. Frankly, science is coming up against a wall in this regard. They are getting helmets to the point that it is very difficult to make any significant safety improvements. This is a good thing!

But the sad part about all of this is. As much as people want to adhere to the service life recommendations, purchase a quality helmet, and talk about 'What is your head worth'. 70% of non-professional riders out there are wearing a helmet at least 1 size, and many times 2 sizes, too big for them. The best, brand new helmet in the world will not protect your head if it is too big. Because a too large helmet is very likely to come off your head in an accident. Rendering the rest of this discussion mute.