Will my helmet be allowed to race?
04-24-2012, 09:15 AM
#1
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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?
04-24-2012, 09:49 AM
#2
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04-24-2012, 09:59 AM
#3
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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.
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.
04-24-2012, 07:59 PM
#4
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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
04-24-2012, 08:30 PM
#5
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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.
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.
04-25-2012, 04:12 AM
#7
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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.
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?
04-25-2012, 06:18 AM
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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.
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.
04-25-2012, 10:41 AM
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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.
04-25-2012, 11:24 AM
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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...
04-25-2012, 11:34 AM
#14
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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...
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...
04-25-2012, 11:40 AM
#15
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That is without weight, as Tweety said that liner is really soft and doesn't take much to compact, chances are you won't hit it but do you want to take that chance....your call.
04-25-2012, 12:49 PM
#19
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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.
"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.
04-25-2012, 03:02 PM
#21
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04-25-2012, 04:15 PM
#22
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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.
04-25-2012, 05:31 PM
#23
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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.
04-25-2012, 10:20 PM
#24
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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...
04-25-2012, 11:33 PM
#25
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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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