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!

 

Does seem like an old shelf life, but I do not think that the product would degrade.
My gut instinct would be that all is okay

 

Cheers, Mick. Will find out tomorrow - hopefully!

 

I would go along with Mick on this one as a guess, but will be interesting to hear what comes back from Shoei
and the dealers on this one

 

i imagine it will also depend how many miles you do in a year,a courier could rack up more miles in one year than your average rider would do in 5 years,

 

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!

 

You may be better taking the refund as it will only worry you over time regarding the actual date of manufacture.
I would imagine it is a fairly common practice amongst all helmet manufacturers but peace of mind is a big thing.

 

perhaps a credit note, then you can at least look at other items?
oooo fits you sir.

 

Maybe you can find one with a later sell by date, you know, like in the supermarket, dig around the back of the shelf!

 

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.

 

Owt to do with an hair style change over the years, oh and they do say your ears grow bigger as you get older. lol

 

and the ear hole hair........the weekly rampage with the clippers.
Where the fuck did those half inch ones come from??????? Lol

 

Aye, I forgot about that, I wonder if that's why your ears grow bigger to allow for the extra thatch.

 

Lol, I guess somewhere there is a cottage industry for that,........ not here tho coz we are sensible biker types,

 

Saves on the ear plugs if you train them right with the added advantage of never losing em.

 

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!

 

if its a dealer?... you could use credit note for tyres or gloves or stuff, is all.

 

I feel your pain stevethegoolie

 

If your not happy get a refund or credit note (make sure it's not got an expiry date) and don't settle for an helmet you don't want because you feel obliged!