Frequently Asked Questions

Some outer shells are made of composite materials which do not suffer from contact with solvents or petrol. Nevertheless, the thermoplastics outer shells and, in particular, the protective polystyrene inner shells must never be put in contact with such solvents as they can severely influence the chemical bond. These substances affect the mechanical characteristics of the materials causing an inability to protect the head in the event of an accident. For similar reasons, it is advisable to affix stickers onto the external shell only if they are made from composite materials.

To avoid chemical corrosion and discolouring of the graphics, the outside of the helmet should be washed using a mild soapy water solution. The internal comfort padding (if not removable) and the chinstrap should be cleaned using soft wet cloths and left until completely dry. The fixed comfort padding may also be cleaned using a dry foam, similar to the one used for carpet cleaning. Do not forget to brush the foam away after 15 minutes. For removable comfort padding please follow the directions contained in the instruction tags.

Many paints contain aggressive solvents that might weaken the molecular links of thermoplastic materials, making them brittle and almost unable for what it has been designed for. The helmet manufacturers use paints that contain non-aggressive solvents. These are carefully tested during production and application. The shells undergo preliminary preparation to guarantee the grip of the paint. Unqualified people should apply paints on shells made of composite materials only.

Many promotional stickers are equipped with glue containing aggressive chemicals that may weaken the molecular links of the thermoplastic materials. The decorative stickers used by the helmet manufacturers use glue that contains non-aggressive solvents. These are carefully tested during production and application. Unqualified people should apply stickers on shells made of composite materials only.

A helmet is made of three basic components: The external hard shell that supports and distributes the energy of a blow through its partial breakage, the soft inner shell that absorbs and dissipates the residual energy through its deformation and destruction and the retention system that holds the helmet in place and permits the two shells to make their job. Other components may be found on a helmet, such as a visor, fixed or including an opening mechanism, a sunproof peak, a chin guard, a comfort padding, a venting system, and a communication system.

In all the European countries and Australia, the technical standard accepted by the government is Regulation 22 of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) of the United Nations, in the most updated version (called the amendment), which currently is the fifth. This is the standard commonly referred to as ECE 22-05. This standard requires that the visor mounted on the helmets is approved too. All other approvals, even valid or accepted somewhere else (such as DOT, Snell, JIS, …) are not accepted for public road use within Europe.

To be freely marketed the helmets must comply with the standard enforced in the different countries. These standards include both technical and bureaucratic requirements. Thus, the approval is the certification that the helmet complies with the standard enforced by a Country in order to permit the sale.

Researchers have found no evidence of degradation of the materials (used in the helmet manufacture) due to the mere effect of time passing by. However, the exposure to atmospheric agents (extreme hot and extreme cold), and the contacts with the vapours of certain lubricants and gasoline normally used in a motorcyclist’s environment may influence the molecular links of the materials used. Moreover, because of its own nature, the helmet often undergoes shocks of different natures that could limit its performance. For all these reasons, such as wear and tear of comfort padding and for the technical evolution that make more modern and protective helmets available, it is suggested to replace the helmet after 5 years of use. In cases of intensive use, this time period should be shortened accordingly. If a helmet receives a severe blow, even if there is no evidence of damage, it should be replaced.

The Regulation ECE 22 requires that every helmet has a label sewn onto the retention system (i.e., On the chinstrap). This label bears the homologation mark, the homologation number and the production serial number. The homologation mark is an upper-case E followed by a number, inside of a circle. The number following the upper-case E represents the country that has granted homologation. For instance, E3 marks the helmets approved in Italy, E4 in Belgium, E1 in Germany, E6 in the Netherlands, etc. Below the E-mark there are two numbers: the left one is the homologation number assigned by the National Administrations, where the first two digits represent the series of amendments under which the model has been approved (04 represents the fourth, 05 the fifth, and so on); the right one is the production serial number. On the visor, it is enough to see embossed the E-mark and the homologation number only.

During transport, it is possible that the anti scratch and antifog treatments react, causing an opaque effect without compromising the quality of the visor. Therefore, remove the visor and clean it with water and neutral soap.

To assemble the pinlock anti-fog lens, remove the external visor and follow the instructions present on the lens packaging and follow our tutorial video.