Will my helmet be allowed to race?
I am planning to go to the drag strip a few times this summer. I know they inspect all of your gear. Well I dropped my helmet right on the top and a chuck of paint cracked off. There is no damage to the actuall shell. Do you think the track officials will let me race with it?
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Originally Posted by pwshadow
(Post 330799)
Well I dropped my helmet right on the top and a chuck of paint cracked off. There is no damage to the actual shell.
Helmets are single-use, unless you can say the same of your brain, you should probably get another one... |
Depends on how strict they are. For drag racing, it might not be so bad, but it wouldn't pass tech for a roadrace. I dragrace in jeans and a flip-up Shoei that would not be allowed for roadracing either. Put a sticker or decal over the damaged area. :)
On the other hand, You can get a race worthy Scorpion helmet for ~$150. Just because you can't tell if the helmet is damaged doesn't mean it is not structurally damaged and could fail miserably when you need it most. There aren't many/any crashes at my local dragstrip, so the risk is minimal, less than even riding it on the street in my opinion. |
My helmet just fell off my bike while I was getting my gear on so I doubt it's compromised. The track I live by requires full leathers for certain trap speeds so I might just put a decal over the area
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Drag racing? These bikes were meant for turns! They would probly let you wear a half-shell.
Seriously, like RZ said it would not pass any roadrace tech. Theoreticly, it couldve comprimised the ingegrity, but its your head/ your call. At least sticker it, make it a high tensile strength sticker though. |
Originally Posted by smokinjoe73
(Post 330835)
make it a high tensile strength sticker though.
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Originally Posted by smokinjoe73
(Post 330835)
Drag racing? These bikes were meant for turns! They would probly let you wear a half-shell.
Seriously, like RZ said it would not pass any roadrace tech. Theoreticly, it couldve comprimised the ingegrity, but its your head/ your call. At least sticker it, make it a high tensile strength sticker though. Seriously though, it only fell 2 and a half maybe 3 feet. Do you really think a drop like that would affect it that much? |
Serioulsly, in 11 yrs of racing I have raced on high tensile stickers many times.
The manufacters have to say no cuz then they are safe and selling 10 times the helmets. (ever hear of apply, lather rinse REPEAT? it doubled revenue in a week) You should see what tire makers say. Never plug a tire, dont repair it in any way. What is the helmet made out of? Newer plastics and composites are way more durable. |
Carbon fiber I think. It's a scorpion exo 1000
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Will a mountain dew sticker work? Or do you think I should use a stronger sticker like a Redbull sticker?
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When I was selling gear the top manufacturers of helmets told us 4 foot drop or more throw it away. It's not the shell you have to worry about, it's the liner, if that get compressed it can't do it's job of absorbing the blow because it is now a harder material.
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Oh and just FYI your scorpion is a fiberglass and kevlar shell.
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Originally Posted by superhawk22
(Post 330876)
When I was selling gear the top manufacturers of helmets told us 4 foot drop or more throw it away.
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I have actually seen a helmet been dropped from 4 feet, and then sawed in half on a factory demo... While it didn't make a big dent, there was a visible mark on the shell, and a clearly visible "flat" spot on the outside of the liner, when compared to a new one... That foam in there is really, really soft, and it's "one use" only, really...
I doubt it will make a difference of life and death with one such knock, hopefully you wont impact the exact same spot... But it does impact how well the helmet protects you, and two or three such knocks, and you probably should swap the helmet... Not just a marketing and sales pitch, but actual truth... But one dent, well... Use your own judgement... |
Originally Posted by 7moore7
(Post 330880)
I've been curious about this... is that with or without weight or a head in the helmet? Because it seems that there wouldn't be much pressure to compress the liner without some kind of weight in it... but that's just speculation on my part...
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Btw most reputable manufacturers will inspect your helmet for free but if it's no good you won't get it back.
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It fell off my seat so I think I am gonna chance it until I get some cash to buy a new one. Thanks for all the info!
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Off the seat shouldn't compromise the integrity but whatever makes you secure is the best answer and that is one heavy helmet, not a bad helmet just HEAVY just my 2 cents worth. ;)
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From the Snell Memorial Foundation site:
"I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?" "I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?" "I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?" "I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?" Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are one-use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied, the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred. In general, the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, you avoid hitting stuff with your head. It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional. Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections. The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it. |
pwshadow,
Since you got rid of your Hawk, and are now riding a zx14, you should cover the scratch with a plastic mohawk. |
Originally Posted by semery98
(Post 330902)
pwshadow,
Since you got rid of your Hawk, and are now riding a zx14, you should cover the scratch with a plastic mohawk. |
Originally Posted by 7moore7
(Post 330880)
I've been curious about this... is that with or without weight or a head in the helmet? Because it seems that there wouldn't be much pressure to compress the liner without some kind of weight in it... but that's just speculation on my part...
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Originally Posted by GTS
(Post 330910)
I think you hit the nail on the head there. (no pun intended) The one time use is with a head in it. The inner lining may be soft but it's there to slow down the weight of your head. Just dropping a helmet may nick and scratch the paint but it's not going to destroy the helmet unless it's thrown down or dropped from a high distance where it fractures the outside of the helmet.
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Originally Posted by GTS
(Post 330910)
I think you hit the nail on the head there. (no pun intended) The one time use is with a head in it. The inner lining may be soft but it's there to slow down the weight of your head. Just dropping a helmet may nick and scratch the paint but it's not going to destroy the helmet unless it's thrown down or dropped from a high distance where it fractures the outside of the helmet.
Basically, the shell is so flexible that you usually cant tell if it's been compressed, unless there are scratches, it just flexes back... It's not going to "crack", or dent, or similar unless you really bash it against something... And that point you might as well take the liner out and just wear the shell, since that's going to be about the same in terms of safety... |
It would be interesting to see that but seat height is what 2.5'? There is a huge difference between the speed of the helmet from 2.5' and 4'. The post wtih the info from the helmet inspector says too that they can actually sustain a pretty good amount of impact without doing any serious dammage.
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