New helmet - but .....

Is it??
I bought a new helmet on Friday - a Shoei XR-1000. I like them because they fit me well - this is my third. I actually thought that they had been discontinued, but when I mentioned it, the sales lad said no, he didn't think so. Long story short, after trying many others I bought it - SWMBO flashed her credit card. Price was a good one (after some bartering) - £250 including pinlock. Not the colour I would have chosen but a lovely fit.
Why I did it I don't know, but today I had a look at the production date sticker, amongst other things, and saw the date was 080422 which translates to 22/04/08. Shoei give a 5 year warranty within a seven year period starting from the production date - if I understand it properly. That is up to 2 years allowed 'on the shelf' and 5 years of useage if that makes sense. The one I bought will be 9 YEARS OLD in April.
Should a helmet that old even be up for sale at a reputable dealer's showroom (J&S Doncaster)?
More importantly, is it safe to use? Shoei's own website seems to think not as degradation can start after 7 years in the shock absorbent lining.
I've fired off an email to Shoei UK telling them what has happened and tomorrow will be communicating with J&S, either in person or over the phone - probably the latter, at least initially.
There is no way that I would buy a 9 year old (new) helmet at any price. But it just goes to show that even with such an important piece of safety equipment you can't be too careful!

 

Cheers, Mick. Will find out tomorrow - hopefully!

 

Right ... some progress.

Shoei advise a shelf life of 5-7 years from first use. Warranty of 5 years from date of purchase (after 01/01/13) regardless of date when helmet was made . In my case, and others similar, Shoei are offering a full 5 year warranty. This is a good thing. However, it still worries me that I have just bought an 8 going on 9 year old helmet, on which my life may depend at some point (but hopefully not!) and in 5 years time or so I will, in all probability, be riding around wearing a 14 year old helmet - I do find that just a wee bit scary!

Talking to J&S, they were direct and to the point .... if it has not been worn/used, then bring it back for exchange - no argument. Bless 'em! I do feel though that I would just prefer a refund, having spent well over an hour trying on many helmets the other day without finding one that fits as well, especially when wearing glasses. I will have another try-on session when I return to the shop and then if no joy will leave it, get a refund (hopefully) and try again later next month.

Still feeling a bit confused though.

I really must have an odd shaped head!

 

Ah .... so you've seen me out supermarket shopping! Scourge of Lidl I am!! Other supermarkets are available and are treated with the same disrespect!!!

 

That's the problem! They DON'T bloody well fit. I've decided that my head is a very weird shape. I'll probably end up with a £80 helmet that has somehow been awarded a Sharp 5* rating!
I may yet have to try an open face jobby!
I'm sure I never used to have this problem before, at least not to this extent.

 

FECK OFF YOU BASTIDS!!!! You are not helping my self esteem!
I now need a dark, contemplative corner to quietly sob in whilst contemplating the meaning of life and the shape of my hereto beautiful cranium.
Tomorrow I shall return to Doncaster and see if I missed any suitable helmets. Not too hopeful, but you never know. After last Friday's 'trying on' session I could see where the helmets had been on my forehead - strange little bruises in strange little places!
Ah well .... onwards and upwards.

I really do find all these problems very strange though. 'Tis weird!