Can i reuse a motorcycle helmet after a small crash?
On One Hand: Visible DamageA fall from a short distance may not be enough to diminish the helmet’s structural integrity. If the helmet did not sustain a considerable amount of visible damage or did not suffer any type of impact damage, the helmet may still be viable and safe to wear.On the Other: Concealed DamageDue to the construction of today’s motorcycle helmets, impact damage in the form of cracking can be concealed beneath the inner expandable polystyrene liner. Such damage will affect the performance of the helmet in a subsequent crash. Additionally, the EPS liner itself may have been compressed beyond its serviceable limits, again robbing the helmet of any protective qualities.Bottom LineThe Snell Memorial Foundation, a proponent of helmet safety, recommends that if you suspect your helmet may have been damaged, replace it. Unlike helmets, you can’t replace your head.
