[dsjr70]

From the Snell Foundation: http://www.smf.org/docs/media/mpn
MPN: There have been various theories over the years that motorcyclists should purchase new helmets every three years or so. Has that been a marketing ploy, or do the materials used in motorcycle helmet construction fatigue over a period of time?
Brown: I think "fatigue" is probably the wrong word to use. What happens is that many manufacturers use glues to put the liner into the shell. We've seen cases where the glues would degrade the liner. We've also seen liners degrade from perspiration and hair oils, and they become compacted through normal use. Snell finally looked at this and said there's no way we can tell an individual how long his or her helmet will be good because the user is the only one who knows how a helmet has been treated. But as a general policy, because of normal degradation and improvements in the helmet, Snell recommends that helmets be replaced every five years.
**
I had my last Shoei for at least 10 years before recently replacing it. It held up fine.

Snell comes out with new testing procedures every five years. Coincidence?

 

[dsjr70]

Frankly I think Snell struggles to remain relevant.

Yes they do struggle. People for the most part are more concerned with cost then safety. Me personally I would rather spend the extra few bucks on a helmet that is Snell or ECE certified and tested rather then a DOT only helmet that isnt tested until after a fatality.

 

[dsjr70]

It might be worth it to upgrade to the new Snell requirements soon as they're supposed to be more realistic. The old Snell standards were found to have the potential of making helmets less safe due to impossible goals. I would have preferred to just get a DOT or ECE helmet but those are hard to find in the states.

Huh? Less safe because of impossible goals? Never heard that one before. I have heard people say they were less safe because they are to hard and dont give and I assume you meant to say Snell instead of DOT in your last line.

 

[dsjr70]

From what I've heard a modular helmet will not pass SNELL testing and I was told by a salesperson that there were no helmets with internal visor that were snell certified not sure if he knew what he was talking about or not.

There are modulars approved by Snell but you have a very limited selection. The LS2 FF394 in XL and XXL and the Zeus 3000 in small.

 

[dsjr70]

Why select sizes?

I assume it is because of cost since Snell actual test every helmet in every size at the manufacturers expense so they might just be sending them their most popular sizes to see if they would actually pass before they send a full line of sizes.

Then the other reason, the manufacturer might advertise "The worlds first Snell approved modular helmet" in a motorcycle magazine and then have the fine print read "Only available is this size"... and most of us would probably not think twice about buying the size that is not Snell approved....