When should you change your helmet?

A helmet is a very important safety item that is part of a motorcyclist's or cyclist's outfit and is an accessory that must be worn when riding a motorcycle or bicycle. That's why it's important to take good care of it, whether you ride a motorcycle or a bike. 

The specified process of servicing a helmet involves several steps, including its replacement. How often should I change my helmet? This is what we will show you in this article.

General information about helmets

A helmet is a mobile device that is worn in the form of a hat when riding a motorcycle or bicycle. It is an important piece of protective equipment whose role is to protect the wearer from skull fractures if they are involved in a traffic accident in the meantime. It should be replaced if necessary by motorcyclists.

What the helmet is made of 

To ensure a high level of safety, a good helmet must have three different layers. The first is the shell, which is the outer part of the helmet.

Then there is the protective pad that sits just below the case. Its role is to channel the energy resulting from impacts. Finally, there is the comfort padding, which is essentially a layer that remains in contact with the helmet wearer's skull.

Why change your helmet 

A helmet is the first piece of safety gear you should wear if you are driving a two wheeler. Therefore, it is important to replace it if necessary for safe driving on the road. Since it is really not easy to know the life of a helmet, in order to anticipate its renewal, it is better to change it under the conditions listed below.

Circumstances of changing helmets

In fact, there are no fixed rules for changing helmets. But at certain points, you will notice key points that tell you it's time to change your helmet. The rules do not dictate anything about when to replace your helmet. It's all about how often do you use headphones.

After all, if you ride a motorcycle every day in a helmet, the protection system wears out quickly. Thus, you will need to renew it quickly before it causes you any potential problems. On the other hand, when it is used only a few times a year, the rate of deterioration is slower and its lifespan is longer.

In cases of wear

In this case, you need to pay attention to the appearance of your helmet. Here, too, we are talking about the use of a helmet. The more it is used, the more it will wear out. Here are some suitable steps you need to take to extend the life of your helmet. For example, after returning home, put it in a warm, dry place.

In some cases of accidents

Changing your helmet after a hit, fall or accident is undeniable. That's why it is recommended to change the helmet in case of strong and excessive impacts... Indeed, changes need to be made immediately, even if the specific damage caused by the fall is not visible to the naked eye. This instruction must be followed after every impact with the motorcycle.

Regardless of the force of the blow, when the helmet falls, the elements from which it is made are damaged. It may seem intact to you. But in fact, it can happen that significant damage has been done to his physical structure, which is not directly visible. 

For this reason, it is imperative to buy another helmet after a motorcycle accident. It is also important to know that a crack, however small it may be, almost always negatively affects the protection of a helmet.

Non-replaceable inner lining

Highly recommended change your helmet when the pads located inside are not replaceable... In fact, it is the foam that is the key element in the safety of the helmet wearer in the event of an impact.

Thus, if you use the helmet too often, these foams or pads may crumble, and over time, these inner pads will no longer provide the rider with optimal protection.  

Change your helmet every five years

Even if it's not listed on any homologation certificate, the lifespan of this helmet is information that's been circulated so much online that it's plausible. Some take this into account and some don't. In fact, this information is false, because it does not have a specific basis.

Five years or not, it all depends on how you take care of your helmet. Maybe he is over five years old, if you do not subject him to accidental blows or even infrequently.

Some final recommendations 

In addition to all the above factors, you must adhere to a number of principles. You must check this and be vigilant enough. Changing a helmet is a sign of good care, but it's not the only way to keep a helmet.

The helmet should always be stored in a dry place to ensure the long life of the internal foams.

Finally, there is a very important aspect of auditing. A lot of people don't, but there are standards when it comes to making helmets. And when buying, you should check if your helmet meets these standards for materials of manufacture. In addition, it is recommended that you always purchase a new helmet to avoid damage.

Now that you have an idea of ​​what a helmet is and the conditions and reasons for changing it, you can anticipate the harmful effects of wearing it. The helmet is the first and foremost protective device for motorcyclists, so care must be taken to prevent its rapid deterioration and acceleration.