Can You Use an Expired Motorcycle Helmet?

The more you use your helmet, the faster it degrades in quality. If you fail to use it but store it poorly, its performance diminishes and wear and tear signs become so obvious all over the parts.

Maybe you have been using your helmet for ten years. And at a glance, it seems ok. But then the question comes to your mind, has my helmet expired? And, can I use an expired helmet? How do I know that it has expired?

These are critical questions that require professionals such as Helmet Gurus.

Do Motorcycle Helmets Have an Expiry Date?

Most goods have clearly labeled manufacture and expiry date or sell-by date. By holding your helmet in the upside-down position, it's easier to see the manufacture date. Often, you will find the manufacture date tag somewhere on the straps.  

Motorcycle helmets degrade in quality over time as you use them. But, the degradation depends on many factors- making it hard to tell the exact expiry date or when you need to change the helmet. For that reason, manufacturers will often indicate only the manufacture date. 

In ordinary usage, the general opinion is that you should change your helmet after a couple of years. Say after approximately 5 years of use. But the shell material and frequency of use also influence when to change to a new helmet. 

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What Causes Helmets to Degrade in Quality?

All parts of a helmet degrade in quality over time. The outer fiberglass, polycarbonate, or Kevlar shell, deteriorates when exposed to UV rays.  

Further, the EPS padding shrinks as a result of the force of an impact, friction, and reaction with chemicals from the environment or body. 

The accidental drops or knocks of the helmet on hard surfaces also wear it out. If you use harsh chemicals to clean your helmet, then they also cause the hood to degrade fast. 

How Do I Know It's Time to Replace My helmet?

The best way to know when to replace your lid is to watch out for signs of wear and tear. Remember, you might invest your cash in the best-rated modular motorcycle helmet- Helmetgurus, but if you don’t care for it, the helmet will expire quickly. 

Whenever you clean the hood, check for obvious signs such as:

• Frayed parts
• Cracks on the shell
• Loose fitting buckles
• Degraded visor

Furthermore, if you have used your helmet for at least 4 or 5 years, consider replacing it. Also, if your helmet has become loose fitting with time or you previously suffered an accident, replace the helmet without question. 

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Is it Safe to Use an Old Expired Helmet?

An expired helmet has degraded in quality and gives compromised performance. That means some parts or the entire helmet can’t provide its initial protection. 

Therefore, wearing an expired helmet means you won’t get the expected protection it initially provided. The cracked shell, crushed EPS, loose straps, and damaged visor will all work to your disadvantage. 

Now you understand that motorcycle helmets degrade in quality and expire. However, even manufacturers can’t predict their expiry date; many factors control that. 

Wearing an expired helmet increases your risk of sustaining an injury in case of an accident. So, if you want reliable protection, check the best modular motorcycle helmet review and buying guide on helmetgurus.com . After the purchase, care for it to increase its lifespan.