Helmet question
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Helmet question
Someone asked me what I thought about buying a used helmet. Supposedly in very good condition, 3 years old. I said I'd avoid a used helmet, what do the more experienced folks out there think. Thanks
Old helmets are for the occasional passenger and riding in dune buggies and not to be bought and sold.
The inner guts of most helmets is styrofoam. After a few times wearing the helmet it starts to take the shape of the wearers head. Plus, you have no clue as to how many times that thing has been dropped.
The inner guts of most helmets is styrofoam. After a few times wearing the helmet it starts to take the shape of the wearers head. Plus, you have no clue as to how many times that thing has been dropped.
2007 Honda Shadow Aero
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Want: HD 1200 Custom or 1200N, Dyna Low Rider or Victory Vegas 8-Ball. And the list keeps growing.
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Besides the good points siralienj made, a lot of people think the helmet's polystyrene lining loses its ability to be compressed after 5 years or so. At that point the helmet is no longer able to protect your brain by aborbing shock. So why get a helmet that's already lost a major part of its useful lifespan? It's not worth the savings - unless you got a spare brain sitting around.... ![Humm :humm:](./images/smilies/humm_smilie.gif)
![Humm :humm:](./images/smilies/humm_smilie.gif)
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2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
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As I understand it,
DOT certification is required for street legal helmets in the US. It is up to the manufacturer to follow and meet the specifications for DOT certification. Only around 40 styles/brands of helmet are tested by the Dept of Transportation each year to confirm they meet the set standard. So, it is wise to buy a known/recognized brand helmet - there is a reputation to uphold.
SNELL certification is voluntary. There are additional tests that must be passed to get the SNELL mark. Helmet makers submit their helmet to the SNELL Foundation for testing and approval.
All SNELL certified helmets meet the DOT standard, but not all DOT helmets meet the SNELL standard.
A study was done a couple(?) years ago and published that seemed to indicate that some SNELL standards put the rider at greater risk.
P
DOT certification is required for street legal helmets in the US. It is up to the manufacturer to follow and meet the specifications for DOT certification. Only around 40 styles/brands of helmet are tested by the Dept of Transportation each year to confirm they meet the set standard. So, it is wise to buy a known/recognized brand helmet - there is a reputation to uphold.
SNELL certification is voluntary. There are additional tests that must be passed to get the SNELL mark. Helmet makers submit their helmet to the SNELL Foundation for testing and approval.
All SNELL certified helmets meet the DOT standard, but not all DOT helmets meet the SNELL standard.
A study was done a couple(?) years ago and published that seemed to indicate that some SNELL standards put the rider at greater risk.
P
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Re: Helmet question
It's no sweat. Money-wise, used is the only way to go. The only sweat will be in your new well-worn lid which just adds character.
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Re: Helmet question
Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatali- ties resulting from motorcycle and bicycle crashes. Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are at a much higher risk of sustaining head injuries and from dying from these injuries.
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Re: Helmet question
Hello. I'm not an expert, but I wouldn't take a used helmet. Firstly, it is not hygienic (even if you wash it, it is not a fact that it will be perfectly cleaned), and secondly, you do not know how it was treated before you, whether there are microcracks on the helmet or not.