How Long Does a Motorcycle Helmet Last? When to Replace Yours
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Your helmet might look fine on the shelf, but the parts that protect you wear out over time, even if you've never crashed. Here's how long a motorcycle helmet lasts, why the 5-year rule exists, and the signs that it's time for a new one.
Quick answer: how long do motorcycle helmets last?
The most common guideline is to replace a motorcycle helmet about every 5 years, and right away after any crash or hard drop. Some manufacturers also set a limit from the production date. Shoei, for example, recommends replacement 5 years after purchase or 7 years after the production date, whichever comes first. Ride every day? Your helmet may need replacing sooner.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Crash, or dropped hard onto pavement | Replace it now |
| Cracks, dents, crumbling foam or a damaged strap | Replace it now |
| Feels looser than when new | Replace it soon; the padding or liner has compressed |
| About 5 years of regular use | Plan to replace it |
| Unused, but made 7 or more years ago | Replace it; the materials age even in storage |
Why helmets wear out over time
- The EPS liner ages. The foam layer that absorbs impact energy slowly hardens and compresses over the years, so it absorbs less energy in a crash.
- Sweat, hair products and cosmetics break down the comfort liner and can affect the materials underneath.
- Glues, resins and fuels: the adhesives used to build the helmet age, and petroleum-based cleaners, paints and fuel vapors can damage some helmet materials.
- Sun, heat and cold stress the shell and the finish.
- The fit loosens. As cheek pads and padding compress, the helmet fits more loosely, and a loose helmet protects less.
Where does the 5-year rule come from?
The Snell Memorial Foundation, which runs one of the best-known helmet testing programs, recommends replacing a helmet every five years. Snell says the recommendation reflects a consensus of helmet manufacturers and the foundation, and calls it a judgment call based on a prudent safety philosophy. The reasons it gives: liner materials are affected by glues, resins and petroleum products, everyday wear, hair oils and cosmetics degrade the helmet, and helmet technology improves noticeably over five years.
Five years isn't a hard expiration date. A helmet worn every day in the sun wears out faster than one worn a few weekends a year. Use the 5-year mark as a reminder to check your helmet carefully, and replace it sooner if you see any of the signs below.
Do helmets expire if you never wear them?
Materials age even in storage, which is why some makers count from the production date as well as the purchase date. If a "new" helmet has been sitting in a closet or warehouse for years, check its date label before you ride with it.
How to find your helmet's manufacture date
DOT certified helmets are required by the FMVSS-218 standard to carry a permanent label inside showing the manufacturer, model, size, and the month and year of manufacture. Look under the comfort liner, on the EPS foam, or near the chin strap. Learn more about what that label should say in How to Spot a Fake DOT Helmet.
Signs you need to replace your helmet now
- You crashed or dropped it hard. EPS foam is designed to crush once and doesn't spring back. Damage inside the liner usually can't be seen from the outside.
- Cracks, dents or chips in the shell, or paint that's peeling in a way that shows damage underneath.
- A looser fit. If it now moves when you shake your head, the padding or liner has compressed.
- A damaged retention system: a frayed strap, bent D-rings or a buckle that won't hold.
- Crumbling or flaking foam when you remove the comfort liner.
- A damaged shield or broken shield mechanism that won't stay closed. (You can often replace just the shield.)
Dropped your helmet? What to do
A short tumble from a seat onto grass is different from a fall onto concrete from head height or a helmet that came off a moving bike. After a hard drop, inspect the shell and the EPS liner closely. If there's any damage, or if you're not sure, replace it. A new helmet costs far less than a head injury.
How to make your helmet last longer
- Store it indoors in its bag, away from direct sun, heaters and gasoline fumes.
- Don't hang it on your mirror or handlebar. That can dent the liner and it can fall.
- Clean it gently with mild soap and water. Avoid solvents and harsh chemicals.
- Air it out after sweaty rides, and wash a removable liner by hand.
- Freshen the comfort parts. New cheek pads and a new liner make an older helmet feel better, but they don't restore an aged EPS liner. GDM sells replacement cheek pads, liners and shields for select models.
Helmet lifespan FAQ
How long are motorcycle helmets good for?
About 5 years of regular use is the common guideline, or less if you ride daily or it's been damaged. Some manufacturers also recommend replacing a helmet within 7 years of its production date.
Should I replace my helmet after dropping it?
After a hard drop onto pavement or from head height, yes, or have it inspected. A minor tip-over onto grass usually isn't a problem, but check the shell and liner.
Can I buy a used motorcycle helmet?
We don't recommend it. You can't see crash damage inside the liner, and you don't know how the helmet was stored.
Does a more expensive helmet last longer?
Not necessarily. The same guideline applies to every helmet, so a reasonably priced helmet you replace on time is a smart choice.
Ready for a new helmet?
Every helmet we sell is DOT certified to FMVSS-218. Browse DOT approved motorcycle helmets, full face helmets, modular helmets or dual sport helmets, and find your size before you order.
