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helmet questions

mdr

New member
Two helmet questions:

1. While rushing to get to work today, I accidently knocked my helmet off the Spyder and it landed on the driveway. It is Dot and Snell, and it wasn't really scratched up, but I'm wondering if I need to replace it now or if there is a way to check to see if it's still o.k.? I kind of need my brain for work so I don't want to take chances.

2. At the motorcycle show in Long Beach, CA. this past weekend I saw some helmets that had speakers and bluetooth already built in: www.vcansports.com
Has anyone used these helmets before? Opinions?
 
No, just dropping your helmet doesn't mean you need to replace it.

I haven't used the V-can bluetooth helmet, but my wife does have a V-can and I wasn't impressed by the quality. She also says that it's the loudest helmet shes ever worn.
 
Hi mdr, All helmet makers state the design of the helmet is to absorb impacts by deforming, there is not a test as yet to test a helmet without destroying it. Ask yourself this question. Is my head and brain worth putting at risk as i MAY have started the deformation process without being able to see it. IMHO my head is the only one ive been fittet with and so I would not chance it.
Expensive and annoying aint it !!!:thumbup:
 
Two helmet questions:

1. While rushing to get to work today, I accidently knocked my helmet off the Spyder and it landed on the driveway. It is Dot and Snell, and it wasn't really scratched up, but I'm wondering if I need to replace it now or if there is a way to check to see if it's still o.k.? I kind of need my brain for work so I don't want to take chances.

2. At the motorcycle show in Long Beach, CA. this past weekend I saw some helmets that had speakers and bluetooth already built in: www.vcansports.com
Has anyone used these helmets before? Opinions?

What size is it? I'll let you know if you should send it to me for inspection. :joke:

If it were me I wouldn't think twice about using it. That's just me.:doorag:
 
Shouldn't be a problem as long as there areen't deep chips into the plastic or fiberglass itself. Those could cause a failure in a future crash. Dings in the color or paint coating are OK, just not deep penetrations. If you bang your helmet while not wearing it, the interior foam does not deform, which is what makes a helmet unsafe after a crash.
-Scotty
 
No, just dropping your helmet doesn't mean you need to replace it.

I haven't used the V-can bluetooth helmet, but my wife does have a V-can and I wasn't impressed by the quality. She also says that it's the loudest helmet shes ever worn.

expensive???
 
You dont want to hear/read what I am going to say - and I am opening myself up for the opinions of all here on the site, but.....any helmet manufacturer will clearly state, ANY time a helmet is dropped from a distance of waiste height or greater, it should be considered "compromised " and there fore replaced. Next question I would ask myself is how old - yes even without being dropped they wear out! 5 years and mandatory replacement in most cases, 3-5 why bother taking the chance - 1-2 consider the value or peace of mind knowing that what you have is questionable, and a new one is not questionable - I would replace, but that is my 2 cents worth. I am also a near death survivor, so even though I ride, I dont ever ride without - why accelerate the odds I always say.
 
Won't speak to how safe it is. But I've used helmets that have been dropped. I know a Harley dealer about 15 miles from me that has there helmet area carpeted. They have a big sign that says they cannot legally sale a helmet that has been dropped. And if you drop it you bought it.
 
Golly,
I have dropped most of mine many times seems they always fall of the seat or get knocked off of stuff. If the thing looks all right I wear it.
I think most of that is manufactures covering them selves.
But I could be wrong. :):mad:

Mike
 
You dont want to hear/read what I am going to say - and I am opening myself up for the opinions of all here on the site, but.....any helmet manufacturer will clearly state, ANY time a helmet is dropped from a distance of waiste height or greater, it should be considered "compromised " and there fore replaced. Next question I would ask myself is how old - yes even without being dropped they wear out! 5 years and mandatory replacement in most cases, 3-5 why bother taking the chance - 1-2 consider the value or peace of mind knowing that what you have is questionable, and a new one is not questionable - I would replace, but that is my 2 cents worth. I am also a near death survivor, so even though I ride, I dont ever ride without - why accelerate the odds I always say.
Good call on the age. Not as important with the plastic helmets, but a real necessity to watch the age on the fiberglass units. The fiberglass brittles in time, and a gouge can provide a weak point for it to fail completely in a crash.
-Scotty
 
expensive???

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. My helmet is only one-year old, so I'll take that into consideration. At the show the helmets with speakers and bluetooth were selling for $300.00 (marked down from $400.00). They fit really well, and I liked all the features that were included. It's too bad that others have found them to be loud and not so effective.
 
I have a chatterbox XBI that i installed into my Scorpio helmet. Works fairly well for listening to music and quick phone calls and easy to install into any helmet. A lot of folks don't care much for the chatterbox but i have been happy with it overall for the money especially. $154 and it will work 2 bluetooth devices.
 
What if you drop your helmet?
There is also a lot of fear mongering about dropped helmets.

This is a problem because no one can ever guarantee that a helmet has not sustained any damage in a drop. How many 'little' drops affect the helmet' s ability to protect the wearer in the event of that one major impact?
Manufacturers and safety authorities are bound to err on the side of caution and to advise that the helmet should be replaced if it has sustained an impact. This is because they cannot take the risk of saying 'that it is alright to re-use it after the drop'. Use common sense
If you drop your helmet or it fell off your bike (stationary), then there would be little chance of damaging the outer shell or the inner shell which actually absorbs the energy on impact. However, if you throw your helmet against a wall or down the road in a fit of rage, then you could damage the outer shell and affected the helmet's ability to protect you (Gibson, 2004).
 
I had a little brat pick up my helmet and throw it on the concrete at at diner while we were eating outside. I still wear it. Wanted to strangle the little :cus: though.
 
Helmets deform and lose their structural integrity with impacts...therefore, it is recommended by people who know to replace the helmet anytime it falls...these are across the board recommendations...not just from manufacturers...for that matter, for a small fee, most manufacturers will take a look at your helmet and ascertain if there is any damage...

You won't know if it's compromised until you really need it to protect and your head...and if it doesn't, it really does matter at that time.

Sure, people out there drop them, wear brain cups, etc...

Bottom line is that if you want optimal protection, wear a helmet that has not sustained impacts of any kind...
 
A friend of mine rides a Harley,and everytime he stops and gets off his bike,he unbuckles his helment and drops it on the ground:banghead: So,i wouldn't worry bout wearing the helment, I have looked at his and not noticed any damage.
 
That's funny...I'll take it you're a helmet expert!

On a more serious note, you have to take a look at the ability of the helmet to sustain impact...once the structure is compromised, it doesn't do so and a naked eye cannot determine that. You'll only find out when you really need it to protect you.

DOT and Snell perform rigorous tests on helmets for a reason...try to convince them that dropping a helmet a few times is no big deal...they have the data that proves otherwise.

This isn't a matter of opinion...it's fact...and these facts save lives!
 
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