Looking for great deals on motorcycle helmets?  Brockton Cycle has THOUSANDS of motorcycle helmets in stock NOW. Unlike most mail-order companies, we stock what we sell. We carry helmets by Shoei, Arai, HJC, KBC, Bieffe, Bell, THH and more, street and off-road/MX. All helmets are sold at closeout or discount prices.

We receive a lot of inquiries along the lines of "How old is too old for a motorcycle helmet? How do I know when it's time to replace my helmet?"  The answer is that there is no hard and fast rule for the life expectancy of your motorcycle helmet. The simple fact is that no helmet lasts forever. Over time, the internals of a motorcycle helmet begin to decompose. On most helmets, between the fabric liner and the outer shell of the helmet is usually a layer of 'foam'(it looks similar in composition to styrafoam), that serves (in conjunction with the outer shell material) as absorption material in the event of an impact.  This is what is usually being referred as worn out in older helmets.  The foam loses its integrity over time, albeit very slowly, as it dries out. 

Most say 3-5 years is the typical lifespan for a quality motorcycle helmet, assuming the helmet in question has not been involved in an accident.  Once a helmet meets the pavement (in a crash), it's time to consider replacing it, even if no visible damage is readily apparent. The foam internals are not designed to absorb repeated impacts. Of course, there is a distinction to be drawn between helmets falling off a parked motorcycle, and high-siding your R1 at speed!

There are things you can do to preserve the integrity of your helmet's internals. Never store a motorcycle helmet in an area that experiences temperature extremes (hot or cold).  Helmets should be stored in an area of moderate temps, and an area free of petrochemical fumes. Gasoline vapors/fumes can, over an extended period of time, damage a helmet's foam liner. 

Other parts of a helmet wear with age, too. The plastic pieces of a shield mechanism wear out and break, the cloth/fabric liner breaks down, tears, dries out, vents become plugged with dirt etc. Helmet technology has improved dramatically in the last decade, and what was considered 'top-of-the-line' in the mid 1990's is bulky, poorly ventilated, and not as comfortable when compared to the best motorcycle helmets available today.

And if that's not reason enough to want a new helmet, compare the paint schemes/graphics of today with a few years ago. Enough said.

Need help finding your size? Check out our motorcycle helmet size chart. 
Have a question for us? Drop us an e-mail, and we will do our best to help you in any way we can.