Dropped Helmet

[Spidey]

A helmet drop is fine, in my book.  If you're made of money replace it.  Otherwise, I'd just trust that it's not engineered not to break like an eggshell.  I figure that drops don't "count" unless there's something out of the ordinary about it (i.e. the bust dropping on it).

Don't tell anyone, but I've even crashed and not replaced my helmet if it didn't take a signficant impact (like if it grazed the pavement).  Sure, that's pretty f'n stupid, but I'm not the only one who has done it.  Besides, my brain wasn't worth much to begin with.

[seinovesei]

A helmet drop is fine, in my book.  If you're made of money replace it.  Otherwise, I'd just trust that it's not engineered not to break like an eggshell.  I figure that drops don't "count" unless there's something out of the ordinary about it (i.e. the bust dropping on it).

Don't tell anyone, but I've even crashed and not replaced my helmet if it didn't take a signficant impact (like if it grazed the pavement).  Sure, that's pretty f'n stupid, but I'm not the only one who has done it.  Besides, my brain wasn't worth much to begin with.

Its all about the amount of risk you are willing to accept...but for me, when it comes to gear, I want to be as sure as possible...leave the uncertainty on the road...

I agree that the fall may not have been to bad after all the info here, but I am a little worried about the crap that crashed down after....

[OT]

While riding past a golf course a few years ago, I was beaned head-on by some hacker's crappy drive (I was hit about 200 yards from the tee while riding towards it).  Impact damaged the vent controls a bit - I felt like I'd been hit by a softball, but it didn't hurt.  I still use it all the time - figure I just need to avoid that part if I crash... 

[scduc]

This topic has been around the block several times. My perspective is that my gray matter is very important to me. Clearly you have some concern about it's integrity, that alone is enough for me to look for a replacement. You read on here that 3' drop no big deal, 4' drop no big deal. Were do you draw the line? Sending it back to the manufacture, or having it inspected via x-ray, yes you can do that and that may give you the warm touchy feeling. Fact is, there isn't any study of accidents with sound helmets and accident with droped helmets. Every accident is different. I say just be sure that you can sleep at night with your decision. If you are riding and you are not sure about your gear, then there is a problem. 

[seinovesei]

UPDATE!

So I contacted ARAI by filing a help ticket on their website.  Soon after they replied saying to ship the helmet in along with $10 for return shipping.   I shipped it out last Thursday.  Today, Wednesday, I received my helmet along with an inspection form saying that that there was no damage to the helmet. 

Morals of the story:

1. Arai is the best manufacturer in the history of manufacturing anything. ever.
2. Peace of mind costs $25 ($15 UPS shipping to ARAI factory, and $10 shipment back)

Thanks for all the help!

[696DCRider]

This was a very informative thread.  Good stuff here