Motorcylce Helmet??

Question

I noticed in a previous question that was asked that if you drop you helmet on the ground by accident it becomes useless. Is this true and if so why? Even if it appears to be absolutely fine?

Answer 1

FALSE  its just c**p to get you to buy  more helmets

Answer 2

It is true.

Because helmets work by absorbing the impact and dissipating it through destruction of the helmet material itself.

Though a helmet may appear undamaged it might have a weakness from any such impact that will then allow it to fail the next time it suffers an impact.

The difference being your head might be in it next time.

It isn't a case that it's always damaged in such a way, you just never know for sure so should change any helmet that's been dropped.

And is also the reason you should never buy a used helmet as you can't be sure of it's past.

Answer 3

If you drop it from a short distance like 3 or four feet on grass or a dirt surface there will be no damage.

If you however drop it on a solid surface from the same height there will be superficial shell or paint chipping.

If your head isn't in it there is no weight multiplier so the bottom line answer is no.

If that were the case there would be a warning tag attached to the helmet and everyone wearing a helmet would have to have ten or more just to last out the year!

Now a bicycle helmet may be another story.

Answer 4

its rubbish they have taken  10 year old helmets & over &  helmets that have been droped  of a motorcycle as happens & done the  eu / british standard tests on them gues what they passed if its been in a motorcycle crash then  change but general  bumps & knocks no need,

Answer 5

It depends on from what height the helmet was dropped and what type of surface the helmet landed on.  However,  a helmet is only designed to withstand one impact.  Even though it may look fine on the outside, the inside padding may have been deformed when it was dropped and the helmet will no longer protect your head the way it was designed to do in the event of an actual collision or impact later on.

Answer 6

the damage is internal there is a Styrofoam shell inside, any breaks in it will weaken the strength of the whole helmet.

Answer 7

depends, was your head in it?

Answer 8

yes this is true ,if a helmet is dropped from a height of 3 feet or more on to a solid surface even if there is no sign of damage to the exterior of the shell, the inner core that absorbers the impact might be damaged.

Answer 9

In most cases it is false. The only way you are going to ruin a helmet is to cause significant damage to the helmet itself. IE: shell, padding, straps.

Answer 10

No that is just a rumor. They are made to be dropped and beat up.

Answer 11

Actually, they are pretty much useless before you drop them.

Answer 12

Generally the answer is probably not.  Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones Snell certifies. Frequent dropping or spiking   a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance.  Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred.   In general the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside.  The Snell Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, that you avoid hitting stuff with your head.  It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional.  Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections.  The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it.

Answer 13

Jamie Maire

Your life may depend on a bucket,

A well trained rider's head will never hit the ground.

The problem today is there are every few good riding schools, and folks don't go to them.

Answer 14

Your life depends on the quality of your helmet. Try very hard not to drop it. It will damage your helmet (the Styrofoam inside that protects your head). Of course, I wouldn't call a dropped helmet useless.... it's still got to be better than nothing!!!

Answer 15

FALSE...

usually if you drop a helmet, it's not going to affect it's performance... the "important" parts are inside the helmet, and only lose their usefulness when compressed by a head being forced into it at a high rate of speed...

usually dropping a helmet will NOT affect it's ability to protect you in a crash...

now if you dropped it hard enough to crack it, then yes...