Triumphrat

decobike · 08-19-2007

My helmet fell off the seat of the bike. It wasn't thrown tossed or otherwise catapulted to the ground. It is an HJC full face in case that should matter. There are scratches and it fell onto gravel vs. concrete or asphalt. Should it be replaced - Is it toast? And I'm not looking for a reason to replace it (like I have for some other things

, I know I'm the only one who would do that).

REVOLT · 08-19-2007

You'll get so many different responses to this question...in my opinion...

My first helmet (HJC CL-15 Full Face) was dropped after only three weeks. I thought "Great!! I just bought the **** thing!", and when I mentioned it to my wife, she said I better stop by the Shop and pick up a new one...at only $135.00 I wasn't about to let my head (as simple as some may think) be at risk for $135.00. I've heard everything from swapping it after a 1' drop...I've heard the Helmet companys use this as a ploy to sell more helmets...I've heard of all kinds of things, but I will tell you this...

My head and everything in it...is worth more to me then the price of a new helmet...if I couldn't afford one right away, I would simply wait until I could. There is no amount of riding that is worth it to me...If I couldn't wait...too bad. Yeah there are those that say "F*** it"...I ride no matter what...great! Go for it...Tough Guy! I've got a friend that tosses his Full Face Arai on his work bench in the garage every time like it's tupperware. I respect myself much more than that.

So what you have to ask yourself is...Is it worth it...is it worth it to "test" the theory? The "One-Drop-it's-Done" theory...Or are you worth more than the price of a new helmet...?

I love it when I see guys/gals that spend $500+ on a jacket, $300 on leather pants/chaps, $200 on riding boots, $100 on gloves...and $30 on a plastic molded bowl ("Pudding bowl helmet") that I wouldn't wear while riding a bicycle!

When I AutoCross you have to wear a Specific Automotive racing helmet...no Motorcycle helmets...Motorcycle helmets are designed to take a one time impact (intial impact followed by deccellerated impacts)...Racing helmets (Auto) are designed to take multiple impacts (ie. Roll Over).... http://www.soloracer.com/helmettech.html

davidc · 08-19-2007

Revolt is right; the facts and opinions will fly on this. It depends on how much of an adherent you are to the helmet and safety topic. I am not. Coincidentally, my three month old HJC fell off the seat of my bike a few days ago resulting in a tiny scratch to the shield. I did not see exactly if the shell hit or not, but back on my head it went. I used my last HJC for over a dozen years and it hit the ground plenty. The truth is I put little thought in my well being after the crash and much, much thought into making sure, as sure as I can, that it does not happen in the first place.

I am not anti-gear at all. If I rode under circumstances that I really felt were a high risk, I probably would not ride at all. I always wear a helmet because I'd get stopped without it; otherwise, I'd sometimes ride without depending on obvious factors such as weather, the destination, etc.

I'm done.

Raindogs · 08-19-2007

If it were me it I'd act like it never happened. If a helmet can't withstand a three foot drop to gravel and maintain it's "protectiveness" then I don't think it had much to begin with. But I don't have the hard data to support this and I'm guessing that much of that hard data was funded by helmet manufacturers who insist that it now must be burned and/or buried ceremonialy.

road_dog · 08-19-2007

I let my helmet roll off my seat today and hit the ground, and didn't even think twice about it until just now reading this thread. Now I'll forget all about it again and wear it the next time I ride. I'm certainly not shelling out another $350 for a new one.

mecscc · 08-19-2007

Its happened to me. I'd wear it. Really depends on how much you'd worry if you do. I wouldn't lose a dime's worth of sleep over it.

When I totaled my Tbird I slid over 100' on tarmac and gravel but I KNOW that I did not hit my head, so I still wear that helmet. Several well meaning folks tell me that I should get a new helmet because "maybe" I did. Well, I was there, and I didn't.

I don't know anybody who hasn't set a helmet on a bike seat and had it fall off. If it is ruined after that, why would you wear one if it can provide no more protection than that?

Monte

rodburner · 08-20-2007

I`m with Monte. Wear it.

RonD · 08-20-2007

I dont beleive this but dito for me, i just paid the ransom $600 aussie dollars for a shoei helmet, the first realy good quality helmet i have ever owned and its so good i should have bought it years ago, any way it fell off the seat and its unmarked. i think if under these circumstances someone said i should replace it that would be stupidity at the highest level.thats my view ..

smac · 08-20-2007

When I ride 2 up and brake hard...my pillion usually head butts me....should I replace my helmet each time?
There is 'impact' and then there is 'IMPACT'.

cafecruzin · 08-20-2007

Is it toast?
in a word NO!