Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire?

One of the most important pieces of equipment that you can have as a motorcyclist is your helmet. It keeps you safe from the elements, protects your ears, and most importantly offers a shield for your head in the case of any emergency situations. As a result, it would be in your best interest to make sure that your helmet is always in peak condition, regardless of the costs. It’s almost a no-brainer that a helmet is not something that you should cut corners or costs on, because it needs to do its job and do it well.

Helmets are just like any other piece of equipment (whether for your motorcycle or otherwise), and as a result they can become outdated or wear down over time. So the question, then, is: do motorcycle helmets expire?

The answer is not as clear-cut as it may seem, unfortunately. Most helmets do not come with a determined shelf life like foods or other goods that tend to get old and become ineffective over time, but you as the owner are able to estimate the condition of your helmet based on how long you have owned it or how much damage you know it has sustained.

As a general principle, your helmet is good for up to five years after its purchase date or seven years after its production date. Even if a helmet was never worn or used, it should be replaced seven years after production in order to ensure top quality. After that much time, the products used in it may very well have degraded, altering the integrity of your helmet.

If your helmet undergoes regular use and is maintained properly, it can last you for up to five years at high quality. Continued exposure to things such as UV rays, poor weather, and your body’s natural oils can wear down the protective padding, resin, and other materials on your helmet.

This timeline is tentative, however, and it can become shorter depending on the amount of wear your helmet has sustained. For example, your helmet’s lifespan can be shortened if you are involved in an accident—if it absorbs that shock, it may be incapable of doing so again a second time. If your helmet is dropped on the ground, it can also cause a similar loss of capability, which could require it to be replaced earlier.

When you’re searching for a helmet to protect you for all of your riding future, you should make sure it’s of the highest quality so it can last you the longest amount of time possible. If you’re looking for the perfect place to purchase your first-time or replacement helmet, look no further than HHR Performance. We offer you the highest quality products at unbeatable rates, and we work hard to make sure that the helmets you receive are safe and can protect you for years to come. Browse our selection today!