Triumphrat

ormondscott

I recently came back to Triumph and am doing everything I can to increase my survivability. I have an old RF800 that I haven't worn in a million years.

Can someone clue me in to the advances in helmets since my old standby? Are we talking revolutionary changes or just some new decals?

Thanks everyone

Catenaccio

Strangely enough the main issue as I see it is age. Helmets come with expiration dates - some three years, some five, and I suppose some longer but none exceeds seven years to my knowledge. Foam is the culprit. It breaks down over and time and with use. I suppose composite fibers do too. There has also been some serious debate over whether a helmet shell should be rigid or have some give. The research is divided but quite vocal. New materials like carbon fiber have reduced overall helmet weight and are becoming quite affordable. (I picked up a HJC FS-15 in carbon fiber for $330 this year.) Shapes have changed too. My old AGV Ghost was round like a ball compared to my third generation AGV Stealth with aerodynamics aids plastered all over. Ventilation has improved immensely as have shields. There are all kinds of anti-reflective coatings (Iridium comes to mind.) as well as anti-fog coatings. It's a different world for helmets. Other things to consider are: internal helmet shapes, whether or not you want Bluetooth or FM speaker pockets, chin curtains, neck rolls, and which safety standards are important to you.

Short version, to be safe get a new helmet.

ormondscott

Thanks, that's the information I'm looking for

Brando

Go for one made from carbon & kevlar and make sure it is a full face one. Y ou will be gladof it if like me you come off on deisel and land on your face !

Mk003

The energy absorbing foam breaks down over time.

ormondscott

How can you tell how old it is? I know ther eis some sticker on the inside, but it doesn't make sense date wise. The sticker says MC 404815

M.Guy.Vig.

It is old. I had an RF800, back in the early '90s. Shoei haven't made them for a very long time. Try a new Shoei, or Arai. You'll be amazed at how far helmets have moved on!

ormondscott

Ha, I like your answer..."its old". You're right...I'm just curious how old it really is. I read on some website that the snell code is linked to a date, but this number doesn't make any sense. I started doing some thinking and I'm pretty sure I can date this helmet to at least 1997, so its at least 13 years old. There is a place here in Daytona called the Helmet Shop and they do a worldwide internet business, so I'll go down there and check things out. They have zillions of helmets. I've always had good luck with teh Shoeis

Nickwiz

Any helmet is better than no helmet or one of those novelty helmet things that make you look like a Nazi. Wear the RF800 but change it as soon as you can. Helmets are really a lot better these days.

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rogue_e5

I've tried to explain this same info to my father.
He wears and open face helmet made in France in the 1940's. Thats right, 1940's!!! He insists that it is just as protective as mine. The inside of it is a leather suspension system like the old ARMY helmets. I guess the older you get the more stubborn you become

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