I dropped my helmet, do I need a new one?

I dropped my helmet, do I need a new one?

There are some topics amongst motorcycle riders that we all have debated and will continue to be a part of, and knowing if you need a new helmet after dropping yours, is definitely a top contender. Opinions vary, and today, I’m sharing mine as a seasoned certified off-road instructor.

 

Understanding Helmet Integrity

Before jumping to conclusions, let's dive into what's really at play here. Quality helmets typically have shells made from fibers designed to disperse impact energy in web patterns, unlike thermoplastic/polycarbonate helmets, which tend to crack upon impact instead of dispersing energy.

Picture this: you’ve cracked an egg against something. It shatters but doesn't break entirely—much like what may happen when your helmet hits the ground. The fibers in your helmet's shell work similarly, as they may or may not show visible damage, but the tensile strength of the shill will definitely decrease with each hit. Over time, even a small impact in the same spot can cause it to crack open.

With that in mind, you must consider that your helmet starts at 100% effectiveness, with every drop or hit reducing this percentage, without a precise way to measure by how much. By the time you actually need the helmet to protect you in a crash, it could be at 50% or 99%—who knows? But one thing is clear: each impact causes damage, and denying it is just folly.

 

Motorcycle Helmets | Braaaaaapp
Reference: Image from www.bustle.com

Expert Opinions and Standards

As the SHARP website states: "If a helmet has been subjected to an impact it is likely that the energy absorption properties of the helmet would have been damaged. If this is the case, it is likely that the helmet would offer a reduced level of protection to the wearer’s head if it should be subjected to a further impact in another accident. You may wish to note that the damage sustained in the original impact may not be visible. Therefore, we would always advise that if a helmet has been subjected to an impact, it should be replaced to ensure the wearer is suitably protected in the event of an accident. You may also wish to consider seeking advice from the helmet manufacturer."

Helmet tests like ECE or SNELL are performed on pristine helmets, not ones that have been dropped multiple times in real life events. With that in mind, and having only the information they have, manufacturers recommend replacing helmets after a significant drop to guarantee their product's safety and, let’s be honest, to avoid potential lawsuits.

 

EPS Foam: The Invisible Damage

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) liners are made of tightly packed plastic beads with air bubbles, designed to absorb impacts. Once compressed, these bubbles can’t spring back into shape. So, if you drop your helmet with your head inside, it’s likely compromised, as the average human head weighs about 10 pounds, meaning that even a small fall can compress the EPS foam from both the outside shell and the inside pressure from your head.

Hong Zhang, the director of education for the Snell Foundation, explained on an interview to Outsideonline: "EPS is essentially plastic beads with air bubbles packed together very tightly. Even if your head hits just a little bit—like a fall from one or two feet—the inside liner is compromised."

 

Torsion Safety Features

Recently, helmet safety standards have been updated to include torsional impact protection. Technologies like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) and Rheon introduce a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows for slight rotational movement, reducing the rotational energy transferred to the brain.

However, similar to the EPS foam, these torsion safety features can degrade with significant impacts. While specific studies on their degradation are limited, the general principle holds: any substantial fall can compromise these protective layers. Thus, even if a helmet with torsion protection doesn't show visible damage, its effectiveness can be reduced after a fall.

 

Practical Advice for Riders

So, should you stop using your motorcycle helmet after dropping it?

  • If it fell with your head inside: Absolutely, you should replace it.
  • If it fell on its own and shows visible damage or deformation in the EPS or torsion layer: Replace it.
  • If it fell from a height around your bike seat and seems intact: You can probably keep using it, but be aware that it won't be operating at 100% of its safety properties.

Is there any way to determine the extent of damage from a fall? Many helmet manufacturers offer inspection services. You can send them your helmet, and they will inspect it and provide a certificate of safety or failure.

 

When to Replace Your Helmet?

Even if your helmet hasn't been dropped, it should still be replaced periodically. Helmets degrade over time due to hair oils, body fluids, cosmetics, and external factors like cleaners, paints, and fuels. Additionally, helmet technology evolves, and newer helmets offer better protection, with most brands and certification agencies recommending replacing helmets every 3 to 5 years, with some suggesting up to 7 years.

In the end, apply common sense, stay informed, and in case of doubt, always prioritize your safety.

Ride smart and keep your head protected!

 

If you wish to improve your riding, visit us for dedicated off-road training in Portugal. If you wish to just enjoy our country's views, food, and tracks on a tour, get in touch.


I dropped my helmet, do I need a new one?

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2 comentários

  • Zé Duarte

    Hello Arnold,

    No, there is no decrease in protection or damage to the liner by using the side mirror as an anchor for the helmet. Consider that the liner, eps, and the entire helmet as a unit is made to save your head from crashes up to a couple of hundred miles per hour. That is an immense amount of blunt force being pushed into the material.
    That being said, the weight of the helmet itself, even if resting on a single point, that even being small is not as small as a needle’s head, it will not create any damage.
    There is however some validity to liner damage if we are talking about resting the helmet on the mirror over the chin curtain. That damage however is due to the material being stretchy from the get-go, and in that case, the weight of the helmet is enough to continuously stretch the curtain. But other than that, there is no issue whatsoever.

    Hope it helps.

  • Arnold Paul

    I see many motorcycle riders that put their helmet in either one of the side mirrors of their motorcycle eps and as a result
    Does it damage the inner liner and the eps overtime that will result in reduced protection of the helmet to the wearer’s head?

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