[Ducati] Re: Ducati Digest, Vol 16, Issue 56

[Frank Snively]

On Apr 27, 2007, at 4:30 AM, ducati-request at ducati.net wrote:
> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:53:04 +0000
> From: kevink38 at comcast.net
> Subject: [Ducati] bee in the bonnet (is my helmet still okay after a
> 	small	mishap?)
>
<snip>
> So, here's the question. Is the helmet okay? How do I know? How can  
> I get it checked. It has a few small scratches on the visor, and 3  
> very tiny dinks in the top where 3 bits of gravel were inbedded  
> when the bike fell over. Am I being paranoid? Is there a reasonable  
> way to get the helmet checked? Is there anything else I can look  
> for? I like my brain.
> The good news of all this, is, since it was the Alazzurra, which is  
> already pretty grungy looking, you can hardly tell it's been  
> dropped,...again.
>
> Kevin Kachadourian
> '96 900 SP
> '85 Alazzurra 650 (old dog still bites)

You'll get as many opinions as there are list members, and I bet they  
will point in all possible directions.  That disclaimer is now made.   
Here comes my opinion:

There was no impact on the styrofoam liner.  A hit from the outside  
with nothing inside the helmet should do nothing to cut down on the  
amount of protection to your skull and brain.  If the small dings on  
the outside trouble you, get the helmet repainted.  If you really  
want to replace it, recognize that the motivation is pure vanity, and  
send the helmet on to some list member who has no particular need to  
look nice.

 From everything I have read, the styrofoam liner becomes less  
effective over a period of several years, whence the recommendation  
to get a new helmet every 3 to 5 years.  Obviously, a good impact  
with the pavement while you are wearing it means that the helmet did  
its job, and must be replaced.

When I began riding 45 years ago, the outer shell of a helmet was  
made of thin fiberglass, and a ding on the outside meant a weak spot,  
even if the styrofoam liner was still intact.  Newer helmets have  
tougher liner material, which is why, IMNSHO, an outer ding is purely  
cosmetic.

In any event, you are extremely fortunate that the bumblebee didn't  
decide to sting you!