Is buying a used helmet okay?

Hey!

So I am looking to buy a full face helmet.

In every other aspect of my life, I have been a firm believer that buying used is nearly ALWAYS the way to go.

However, when safety is concerned, i want to make sure that i'm not making a stupid decision.

So; Is a used helmet just as safe as a new one?

Do they "get old/go bad/wear-out with age?

Heres examples of a few that i would be looking at getting:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270876615256?ss ... 757wt_1141

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170750902798?ss ... 1407wt_955

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320711192853?ss ... 383wt_1188

Thanks for the imput guys!

Chris

 

As long as the helmet has never taken an impact, you should be good to go. They don't "wear out".

The only deterrent from used helmets is the fact that someone else's juicy sweat is all up in yo' grille.

 

The foam in the helmet can breakdown from sweat. Do realy want to wear someone's smelly sweaty helmet????!!!!

 

I'm leery to post this as i hope no one sees this as a good deal and then snatches it up from under my feet if i decide to buy it, but this one seems decent?

As for wearing someone else's sweaty hemet, hopefully it doesn't weird you guys out, but i really don't mind unless it smells bad or anything... who hasn't borrowed a helmet from someone at some time in their life?

and this one seems newer... hmm. if theres no safety concern, i might just bid on this one..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220921252052?ss ... 500wt_1203

 

Or for the price, you could try one of these.

Brand new, shipping will run you about $7

I have the FX-90. It's a decent helmet, and they carry all the parts to fix the ratchet or replace the face shield

 

Nothing wrong with a used quality Helmet.
Emphasis ::: Quality.

Just make sure it's only been worn and not crashed and painted.

Hit it with Lysol Spray to eliminate the possibility of critters.
Let dry.
Fabreeze two hours before use.

 

nothing wrong with quality used underwear either but no thanks

 

EEWWWW

No WAY would I buy a used helmet.

It IS tantamount to used underwear; I'm sure some really nice Michael Jordan jockey shorts could be had at rock bottom prices but I will PASS.

Helmets also tend to "break in" to your head; it would be like buying a used pair of shoes.

The one listing said "worn two summers, then stored for nine years." I GUARANTEE you that the foam padding will crumble to dust after the first two or three times you shove it on your head. False economy. By the time you buy a new padding set plus the cost of the used helmet, you're approaching the cost of a decent NEW one.

I sure wouldn't do it.

 

You could but I agree with Polock.
Helmets have a shelf life, the foam and glue breaks down after time. Check into how old it is and how it has been stored. I would not want any hemlet that has been stored in someones 130 degree attic for several years. A slightly used helmet sotred in a closet I might consider.

 

Any helmet more than about 5 years old should be replaced anyway.

WITH A NEW ONE.

 

I had a lady in my shop who totaled her motorcycle running off the road into a ditch. After wiping the dirt off, the exterior of her full face helmet looked like new.

The impact knocked her out and the interior had blood from her head. Nice as the outside looked I can guarantee you that helmet was used up.

No matter how it looks, you cannot know the real condition of a used helmet. Only buy one to make a flower pot.

 

NO

dave

 

Ick. I would never. There's no way to tell exactly what that helmet's in through or what's been in it and I don't want to find out. Ever.

 

cooties

 

No way to tell just from looking if it's a good helmet either. It only takes one solid shot to render a helmet useless and it doesn't have to crack or split to be ruined. They are like airbags deployed once then replace.

Most people want really high prices for their used underwear...uh sorry..helmets anyway. Buy new. Your brains are worth it since they keep the rest of you working.

cooties heck crabs!

 

In my experience, first you need to try on a helmet before you buy it. They will all fit different depending on your head shape. Second, as others have stated, helmets do tend to conform to ones head with time. Third, the adhesives and foam do have a usable lifespan of 5-6 years. Shop around and you should be able to find a new one for not much more than those used ones. Last year, I bought a new HJC CL-SP for $65 delivered. A used helmet is better than no helmet but I'll leave it at that.

 

Well, you could go this way if money was your prime motivation....
but for me....I'll continue to go by the advice I was given many years ago....buy the best helmet that you can afford since it's protecting the only life you have. Imagine your mom, after something terrible has happened.....and the talk of the parlor was that "he'd still be here if he hadn't skimped on his helmet"....save your mom from that. I would tell my one son the same thing.

jeff

 

and look what's hanging on the handlebar......D/A


jeff

 

Everything the Nay-sayers have too say about this issue presumes that the Helmet is years old and frequently worn.

Well, ... the truth is, ... they are ALL not like that at all.

There are some "Used" Helmets that are:
Open Boxed, ... Used at Point-of-sale for fitment.
Used helmet!
There are some that get bought on Monday and sold Tuesday.
The owner decides he hasn't the nerve to be a biker.
Used helmet.
Helmet supplied to prospect to test-ride a used bike at dealership.
Used helmet!
(Although I have seen it get put back on the shelf after spritzing up.)

And, ... of course:
Brand New.
Never been worn.
Wrong size for its intended recipient.
Tags still on it.
Used helmet.

The "Used underware" analogy comparison is absolutely risible.

The member asked if buying a used helmet was OK?
He didn't ask, ...
Is buying a JUNK Helmet OK.

Buy the QUALITY Used Helmet.
Don't be ashamed.
You're better-off with a 2nd Hand well-made Helmet than a Cheepo-depot barely legal Helmet you bought, ... just to be compliant.

 

Plus, sharing mansweat builds character.

 

Well. heres the thing guys. Although i normally heed the advice of you guys straight to heart, I had to sort through all of the information given and i came up with the following.

THe biggest risk would be that it is old, crashed in, stinky, and nasty.

However, it is also agreed somewhat that as long as it is a quality helmet, that hasant been crashed, abused, worn a ton, that it would be okay.

So I went along my way and was looking at new helmets in the ~$70 range.

Then, I found one for sale that had gotten rave reviews, and was $270 new.

The seller, whom is an older gentleman, got the helmet from his brother, who bought an older bike, and bought the helmet NEW, but never got the bike to run, therefore never using the helmet. The seller however, tried the helmet, but found it to be too big for him and was just selling it so someone else could make use of it.

The way i figure, although it is a few years old, Its a better helmet than a 70.00 new one would be.

From all of the communication that i have had with the guy, he is a really cool, honest person who is really just trying to get it so someone else can actually use it. I figure in a year or two, I will be able to invest in a new helmet and then keep this one around as a spare/and for passengers. I'll be at a much petter point financially as I will have all the brake/valve/start up maintenance issues taken care of.

I'll post up some pictures when I get it, Its a Shoei rf-800, and I paid 40.00 for it shipped to my door. If it doesn't fit, theres no doubt in my mind that i can flip it and sell it, and probably make a profit on it if it sells for what the others have been going for recently.

Thanks for all the info though, i definitely did more detective work after i found out all of the hidden issues that used helmets can withhold.

Thanks again guys.

 

sounds like you got a bargain, good luck.

 

As "The King" would say, ...

"Sang-gue. Sang gue verra mush!"

 

I started working nights in a busy urban Emerg.Dept. 35 years ago.Gave away my first motorcycle (Suzuki 500 2-stroke twin.Phoned the friend from whom I bought the thing and told him that he could have it back gratis,but I wouldn't drive it over).
Lots of aggressive bicycle riding over the years,off road AND urban.Many crashes,many helmets.Only one concussion.
More recently,I did a stint as a nurse in a busy Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) center.The thing about TBI is that you may have survived,but you're never going to be the same.(And I say that with affection and compassion.)
Decades later,I'm back on a motorcycle with a passion!!
Old helmet dated back to my Learn2Ride class 5 yrs ago.
Riding today 70 mph @ 35 degrees f.Blue sky,fresh air!!
New full face helmet!!

 

I bought a used helmet once.... every time I wore it I kept thinking...
I wonder if that last guy sneezed in here? Was he sick?
I wonder if he got buggers in here?
I wonder if he had bad excema or lice or some disease?
Just those questions are enough for me to NOT want to save a couple bucks!!

But then everyone is different, maybe those questions will never cross your mind..... but now they probably will.
Oh well.

 

I dont dig the USED, some guy rode around sweatin in it helmet, but The helmet he got wasnt that.
I guess there is a difference in pre-owned and used.
(or maybe I've spent waaay too much time reading ebay ads)
It had a previous owner but wasnt used.. hmm Well at least the PO didnt put pods on it

 

The used part only worries me when it comes to a crashed helmet. All the other stuff can be cleaned out/disinfected etc. It IS possible to crash and destroy the helmets' ability to take the next hit AND still make the helmet look like new. It's unlikely that a used helmet is going to be one such helmet, but it's possible. If the helmet is all one color (especially a dark color) and you can't find it listed anywhere in that style I wouldn't buy it. Original graphics/colors and you feel confident the seller is being straight-possibly a go.

It does sound like you got a good used helmet-those Shoei rf-800's are really nice quality buckets, and no metal bug gaurds to mangle your jaw.

 

Then, doesn't that rule out all the "new" helmets at the Dealer??

Or do only disease-free, freshly showered Bikers try on all those helmets?? 8O

 

that used helmet might have bad jewjew so you should always cover your head with tin foil and carry a chicken foot while it's on

 

plus the foil will keep the government from reading your thoughts

 

Another reason (besides price) that I try on helmets at the dealership or accessory store, then go home and buy a nice brand new one in the box, over the innanet.

 

Hey Fitz, just saw your shoutblock post......I imagine insurance will cover that, but if you need help finding some parts let me know and I'll look around this area, too.

Dave F

 

that used helmet might have bad jewjew so you should always cover your head with tin foil and carry a chicken foot while it's on

I LOVE IT!!!!

 

Oh, it will; and it's lucky I didn't pop the radiator or anything so I should just be happy that the VW isn't worse off. Gonna need a headlight, RF fender and maybe the bumper cover. It still drives fine.

 

Well! Got the helmet - 50.00 shipped to my door and includes a bnib clear shield - even though that the one already on it looks brand new too, lol.

Thats 82% off msrp AND includes an extra shield!

It looks and smells as described, pretty much like new, and fits like a glove!

Story told by PO is that his brother bought it new a while ago when excited to restore an older bike, which he never ended up being able to get running, therefore never using the helmet.

His brother then recently gave the helmet to him, but it was too big for him and he had no use for it.

Then he sold it to me

So even though the helmet is not "new" its damn near if you ask me.

Long story short, I'm satisfied, and next year or the year after, I'll drop some cash on a new one, when I wont have all these start up costs to worry about.

Thanks again for all the imput guys, It deff prevented me from just buying a random used one off ebay.

Plus! It smells good! Like that new helmet smell that I smelled when trying on helmets/sizes at the motorcycle shop!! So no jewjew for this guy!

I just wish i could trade on of the extra shield for a dark smoke one... cause to buy one is like 30 bucks - almost what i paid for the helmet AND two shields!

 

Awesome deal !!

I'm sure anyone here would have bought it.

 

I would never buy a used helmet, my head/life is worth more then saving a couple of bucks.
Leather Up has a some good deals on their web site, but always try on a helmet before you buy.

 

Resurrecting this thread. Saw this on Reddit.

"Always wear a helmet, folks", the title of the post read...

 

If you notice, the scratches run 2 different directions -
the face area took 2 hits.

 

People buy "Used" goods, ... everyday.

Used cars, boats, bikes, golf shoes, wedding dresses ... you name it.

Motorcycle Helmets?
Why not?

There is a great market in "Classic and Historic" Helmets.
Some cost far more than they did brand new.
You can get scammed. Some do.
The Original Easy Rider helmet scam leads the pack.

Some "Used" items are junk.
Others, ... remarkably good deals.
I wouldn't hesitate at acquiring a $500.00 helmet ... the wrong size for its owner ... for two or three bills.

Use your head.
Your head's at stake.

 

I guess I'm in the minority here, along with Rick, but I think a quality, clean used helmet is fine. In fact I just bought one on Ebay for $18.50. But before I bought it, I had numerous pictures, especially the inside, and questioned the seller about how it fit. It turns out that he and I have the same hat size and when I got the helmet it was better than the pictures, practically new. He indicated that he had worn it a couple of times. So, for $18.50 (included shipping!) I took a chance and won.

That said, there's always a chance that it won't fit or isn't as good as advertised, and that's why you don't pay much sight unseen.

 

To sum everything up: no.

 

Rick, there's a difference between "pre-owned, never worn" and "used."

Would you wear used underwear? (Only my own.)

I guess a used helmet is better than no helmet but... EWWW.

 

Personally I wouldn't buy a used helmet, but there are some good arguments re what is used. Recommendations here in NZ are helmets should be replaced every 5 years or if dropped, been involved in an accident and so on. i.e. any impact no matter how minor. My last helmet dropped off my seat onto pavement (stupid place to leave it) and I purchased a new one the next day; my head is worth more to me than $150 odd bucks.

 

Yep, I have to say I have heard that even dropping a helmet could effect the protection level of the hemet. I would really research buying a used hemet before I bought one. The helmet I ended up with was new and cost me around $300 bucks but it has everything I am looking for in a hemet and this is very nice. All I can say is be sure to ask a seller if it was in a crash or if it has been dropped etc. Any strange markings on a used helmet I would think twice about buying it for sure.

 

Personally I replace my helmet every 5 years or one fall, and I'll never buy used. I don't skimp on that, and coming from a Scotsman that's not something you often hear!

 

Well, ...

Following that rationale ... I guess everybody who straps-on the "Guests Helmet" you bring-along with you in case you want to offer some babe a ride home from the burger stand, or your brother a ride home from work is a deplorable situation, ... and you should buy a new helmet for the pillion passenger each time you give somebody a lift.

And, ...

After letting somebody borrow a helmet, ... when they return it ... throw it away.

 

Your helmet falls off the seat at 33 INCHES, and it's junk -
Let's compare that to,

The average FIRST impact in an average crash is at 27 MPH, according to the ancient HURT report. The helmet is still intact enough to further protect your head during the crash.

The helmet that falls off the seat doesn't even contain a 10 LB head.
The energy of dropping it on the ground would only be a small fraction of a first impact.

 

I bought a "Used" Helmet from this Ebay Store.

I scored a Shoei Full-face vented Helmet that was an Opened-box, Test-for-size, $389.00 MSRP for $199.95.

It was scratched because it got dropped by a customer.
I put a Yamaha Decal over the scratch, ... otherwise the Helmet was in perfect condition.

It was a 2012 Model.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_sop=15& ... =200&rt=nc