helmet x-ray? (now with conclusion)

[fasterblkduc]

Well, in my 18 or so years of riding, I've never ran into this situation before so I'm wondering if anyone else here has...

Racing a week ago, I lowsided and ended up doing at least three summersaults. I'm not sure if I hit my head or not because there was a lot of, ground, sky, ground, sky happening quickly. After checking out my gear and going back through Tech., we discovered scratched paint on my helmet. It passed Tech. but I'm not 100% on calling this one OK. Normally, I'm of the mindset that if it touches ground...it's a goner. This one is a bit of a gray area that I'm not real sure about. The Tech. guy said that he learned from AMA Tech. officials that if the paint is just scratched like mine is, it should be fine. So, according to his training, he passed it.
The helmet is a brand new Arai and I've heard that Arai will take the helmet back and X-ray it to see if the foam was compromised. Has anyone else done this? If so, who do I contact? I looked on the Arai website but saw nothing.

Thanks

[timmer357]

I will be interested to hear how this plays out.  I just crashed my s2r last week and my Arai is toast.  That is my judgement, no one else's.  There is red paint on the rim of the bike I collided with from my helmet, rubber across my chin bar from his tire, and the outer shell is chipped away from the mouth guard area.  Also, a phantom encounter between my helmet and gas tank occurred I don't recall.  The evidence is on the tank.  My corsair will be getting replaced on the insurance companies dime. 

But I do love Arai....will never wear anything else.

[scott_araujo]

Every single teeny tiny little bump takes some of the shock absorbing power away from your helmet.  The helmet protects your head because the foam compresses to absorb the energy of the impact.  It's a one shot deal, it doesn't bounce back.  I've cracked several bicycle helmets and one snowboard helmet.  You can usually send them in to the company for free inspection after a hit.  For non-moto helmets they often have an at cost replacement policy if it's less than 2 years old.  I'm not sure if Arai has a policy like that.

When I cracked my snowboard helmet I brought it back to the sales place.  There was a visible crack and compression in the foam liner.  They called me the next day and said it was fine.  I contacted the company directy (Boeri) via e-mail and had a phone call within the hour from a rep.  He nwas not amused that they had not contacted the office for inspection.  He told me to take it back and called them to make sure they sent it in for inspection.  Once he got it he immediately said it was toast and offered a duplicate replacement at cost.  Good customer service.

Talk to the sales people where you bought it and have them ask the local Arai rep.  If that fails try contacting Arai directly.  I don't know if they'll x-ray it but you want a real factory tech to look at it.  If it were my head I wouldn't trust some guy looking at it briefly and saying, "Oh that's fine!"  So in short, talk to someone from Arai or replace it.  It may seem expensive but trust someone who has had 5 concussions, it's cheap compared to your head.

Scott

[fasterblkduc]

I'm with you. As I stated, my policy is if it touches down it's a goner. But this is the first time that I'd like to explore my options. I also don't trust some guy looking at it and giving his  . So, I agree with you 100%. I'm no newb, I'm looking for a specific answer.
My question is this...Has anyone here sent their motorcycle helmet back to the manufacturer to be inspected? I've heard that Arai does this but need some info.

[ducpainter]

Arai

Free Inspection Service, With $10 Return Shipping Fee.

Send to:
Inspection
Arai Helmets
P.O. Box 9485
Daytona, FL 32120
(386) 441-6592

I dug that up, but no FHE.

Might want to call.

[fasterblkduc]

ding, ding, ding!!!!  Thanks!

[fasterblkduc]

Hey guys...thought I would update. The phone # you found was right but the address is not so if anyone wants to have their helmet inspected, call first as Nate said.

I just spoke with the Arai inspector who gave me a couple of things to look for. I'm at work so I won't be able to check it out until this evening.

1. He said to remove the liner and look for any cracks in the black layer. If the foam is compromised, the black layer will be cracked and white from underneath will be seen.

2. He said to look at the outside where the scratches are and see if anything is coming through like fiberglass.

If these things look ok, then it should be fine but they won't give a letter of approval without sending it to them to inspect. So, I will probably send it back anyway. They only charge a $10 return shipping fee.
I'll keep updating for those who are interested.

[timmer357]

As I already posted:  Mine is toast no matter how ya slice it.  Part of the shell is missing near the mouth vent, there is rubber up the side of the chin bar from contact with my buddy's bike as we were crashing, and the red paint transfer from my helmet to both my tank and edge of his rim is probably another good sign.

Now the interesting part:  My insurance company is replacing my helmet but no other equipment of mine or my buddy's.  Their logic/rule/policy/whatever is that the helmet is the only "mandatory" piece of safety equipment.  So basically you get punished for wearing good gear and not having crazy high medical bills.

[mstevens]

Huh. USAA specifically asked me about damage to my gear after I crashed (I had no idea they'd pay for it) and reimbursed me for everything I was wearing except socks and underwear.

[scott_araujo]

I've got Progressive insurance and my policy came with pretty good coverage for gear.  You may want to shop for different insurance.  Any crash you can walk away from unhurt is fine by me, I don't care what gear I ruin if I hurt less in the end.  Still, it's even better if someone else pays for new gear.

Scott

[fasterblkduc]

I am sending out the helmet today. I checked it over and it looks ok to me based on what the inspector said but I have to practice what I preach. (If it touches down, it's a goner)

So, it will take approx. two weeks to get it back. I will update here with the results.

[fasterblkduc]

I got the helmet back today from Arai. It passed inspection. I'm really glad that I sent it back because I would have tossed it otherwise.

They charge $20 for a shipping fee, but nothing for the inspection. If it does NOT pass, they will remove the certification stickers and give you the option for them to dispose of the helmet, or to ship it back to you and charge you the $20.
I highly recommend going this route if you are unsure about the integrity of the helmet. I have no knowledge of any other companies that offer this service but Arai definitely does.

[somegirl]

Thanks for the report back!  Glad to know your lid is still good.

[ducpainter]

I got the helmet back today from Arai. It passed inspection. I'm really glad that I sent it back because I would have tossed it otherwise.

They charge $20 for a shipping fee, but nothing for the inspection. If it does NOT pass, they will remove the certification stickers and give you the option for them to dispose of the helmet, or to ship it back to you and charge you the $20.
I highly recommend going this route if you are unsure about the integrity of the helmet. I have no knowledge of any other companies that offer this service but Arai definitely does.

Great update.