Would you buy or use a used helmet, or get a new one?

[mrlmd1]

I'm interested in how many on here would buy or use someone else's used helmet vs. going out and buying a new one.
If you decide to vote, add any comments you feel appropriate. Thanks.

[mr. softie]

I have used someone else's helmet on a few occasions as the need arose but generally try to avoid that. For one thing I wear a size XXXL and there are not a lot of OPH (other peoples helmets) that will even fit on my noggin. I would not buy an old helmet or a used helmet. A new helmet of recent manufacture is going to be most effective at it's given task of protecting your head, as the components age and become less effective over time and exposure. My $0.02

[mrlmd1]

From another thread on here, just in case you haven't been following the action, from another bike source confirming what I had said----echos my comment, my opinion--------

HELMETS

* Used helmets are worthless. Regardless of whether it fits you or not, do not count the price of a used helmet as part of the value of the bike. The owner may want to sell the helmet, either because it matches the bike or because (s)he is quitting motorcycling, but since you'll be throwing the helmet out (or, at absolute worst, keeping it as a pillion helmet), don't count its value towards the sale price of the bike.
* Used helmets are worthless because you cannot tell if they are damaged or not, and in many cases you don't know when they were made. (Snell-certified helmets should have a date-of-manufacture stamp -- look for one. It might be under the padded lining.) Even if they look good, used helmets might well be junk. Motorcycle helmets work by allowing a layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) to crush, absorbing much of the force of an impact. Unless the hard outer shell is damaged, you cannot tell if the EPS inside is compressed or not. And even then, sometimes you can't -- covering damage with stickers is just as common with helmets as it is with plastic fairings.
* Furthermore, EPS becomes more brittle as it ages, and old/brittle EPS has only a small fraction of the original impact absorption abilities. And since you may not know when the helmet was made (who cares when the previous owner bought the thing), you don't know how "fresh" the EPS is. The EPS layer in helmets is also highly vulnerable to ultraviolet and chemical damage -- if, for example, the helmet's owner was in the habit of resting the helmet on the bike's gas tank, gas vapors from the fill cap have attacked and compromised the EPS lining. Or if the helmet was left out in the sun a lot, it could also be damaged from the ultraviolet component of sunlight. Arai (a leading helmet manufacturer) cites acidic sweat as a leading cause of premature EPS degradation. The EPS can also be compressed if the helmet is habitually rested on pointy objects like mirror-stalks or handlebars. The bottom line is, despite what the owner says, you do not know what condition the EPS liner is in, and the EPS liner is the vast majority of the helmet's crash protection.
* It's not worth the risk. Yes, in some cases, you can send the helmet back to the manufacturer to have it X-rayed. But that will only tell you if the EPS liner has been compressed, not if it has been chemically damaged. Since you'll never know for sure, buy yourself a good quality new helmet from a good quality manufacturer, and stay away from used helmets.
* And if you're still thinking of using a used helmet, realize that helmet fit is one of the most important criteria in selecting a helmet, and it's highly unlikely that a used helmet will fit you as well as one you get from a shop, where you actually get to try different sizes and brands. (Shapes vary subtly by manufacturer; some manufacturers' helmets will fit you better than others.) And if that isn't enough, helmets tend to break in as the padded liner conforms to the unique shape of the wearer's head. You have a different-shaped head than the seller. Get your head its very own new helmet.

[alanmcorcoran]

New.

3 reasons:

1) Helmet might have already got it's one bite.
2) The ick factor
3) I have more money than God.


(Note to literalists [especially those that reamed me out over "my" boat.] I don't actually know how much money God has. I'm just guessing.)

[mrlmd1]

Hijack warning, Hijack warning.

Watch out for ER reaming you out for #2- the ICK factor, saying you are being insulting and demeaning to the previous owner for insinuating that the helmet might be TAINTED. Refer to other thread.

Hijack warning over.

[music man]

3) I have more money than God.


(Note to literalists [especially those that reamed me out over "my" boat.] I don't actually know how much money God has. I'm just guessing.)


That is probably because you scammed God out of his money already :popcorn: :lol: :poke2: .

[alanmcorcoran]

Watch out for ER reaming you out for #2- the ICK factor, saying you are being insulting and demeaning to the previous owner for insinuating that the helmet might be TAINTED. Refer to other thread.

Yeah, I seen it. Someone else said, perhaps more constructively, that they can be washed, which I should look into for mine. They say the same thing about bowling shoes, but I'm still not wearing them.

I was thinking "If I really watched out for possible reaming, I'd probably never post anything on this site." Maybe that's why I'm the most prolific poster. Or I just crave attention. Joined Facebook recently to promote a concert series - it's been taking up a lot of my Internet time wasting time. But things seem to have come to a boil over here. Hardly about bikes anymore.

[alanmcorcoran]

Back on the the topic of helmets:

I have bought three so far, two for me and one for my wife. (I have a "full" and a 3/4.) I think I paid about $170-180 for the full, and maybe $20 or $50 less than that for the 3/4. Full is an HJC, the 3/4 a Scorpion.

Ennyhoo, when I bought the first one, which was at the dealership I grossly overpaid for my GZ, I was surprised (almost shocked) to see helmets (SHOEI?) for, like $900, and higher.

Do any of you guys have a $900 helmet? Are they worth it? Tell me why I'd want to get one.

I know some of them have radios or bluetooth, but I don't think these one's did.

[adrianinflorida]

Back on the the topic of helmets:

I have bought three so far, two for me and one for my wife. (I have a "full" and a 3/4.) I think I paid about $170-180 for the full, and maybe $20 or $50 less than that for the 3/4. Full is an HJC, the 3/4 a Scorpion.

Ennyhoo, when I bought the first one, which was at the dealership I grossly overpaid for my GZ, I was surprised (almost shocked) to see helmets (SHOEI?) for, like $900, and higher.

Do any of you guys have a $900 helmet? Are they worth it? Tell me why I'd want to get one.

I know some of them have radios or bluetooth, but I don't think these one's did.
Thise were probably 300-500 Shoei's with the standard dealer (i.e. we can add it to your finanacing package) markup. The local dealer that got out of everything except Honda (Since Honda has it's own finance company) was unloading Suzuki Shoei helmets for $125 (No XXL left, didn't buy) and Suzuki AGV leather jackets for $49 (I bought 2)

In the world of motorcycle dealers accesories departments, markup is huuuuuuuuuuge.

[music man]

Back on the the topic of helmets:

I have bought three so far, two for me and one for my wife. (I have a "full" and a 3/4.) I think I paid about $170-180 for the full, and maybe $20 or $50 less than that for the 3/4. Full is an HJC, the 3/4 a Scorpion.

Ennyhoo, when I bought the first one, which was at the dealership I grossly overpaid for my GZ, I was surprised (almost shocked) to see helmets (SHOEI?) for, like $900, and higher.

Do any of you guys have a $900 helmet? Are they worth it? Tell me why I'd want to get one.

I know some of them have radios or bluetooth, but I don't think these one's did.


I just can't imagine any helmet being worth that, I could see 3 hundred or so for a custom painted one (if you are into that kind of thing, which i am not) but 900 (or more for that matter) is ridiculous.

[alantf]

Over here,when you buy a new bike, the dealer customarily (I think that's the right word - I mean "it's the custom") gives you two things free of charge. A brake disc lock & a helmet. I chose the Airoh "top one" 3/4, at 100 euros. When I got my money back after a month (because of all the problems I had with the Chinese crap that I'd bought) I didn't need either a lock or a helmet for the gz,(as I'd got the ones he gave me before) so he knocked me 100 euros off the price. I could have picked any helmet in the shop, but there weren't any at the silly prices mentioned above.
slight change of subject - there's a notice in the shop. Buy any bike over 600cc & get your choice of 300 euros worth of accessories. Must be a sign of the times.

[alantf]

Can anyone in Australia (where EVERYTHING costs more) tell us what the price of helmets are over there? My mate in Perth (Secret Harbour) says his cost $Aus 600, but he REALLY has more money than God. Is that the sort of average price, or is that just my mate, Bob, spending more than he needed, just to make God sit up & take notice?

[mrlmd1]

There are $60-80 helmets (forgot the name right now but I can look them up) for sale on the web or in places like WalMart that are all DOT and Snell approved and are the highest rated bang for the buck on a few sites. Like every thing else, you can overpay for basically the same thing in a different covering or package. There are ones of fiberglass, ones of polycarbonate, etc, but if they all pass the same rating test, and the G-force protection each affords is basically the same, what, other than some prestigious brand name on your head, is the benefit to a $600 vs. a $60 helmet? :??:

[burkbuilds]

mrlmd1: I would agree that all of those helmets have to meet the same MINIMUM DOT standard, but that doesn't mean some couldn't exceed those standards by more than others does it? Of course you know my opinion about helmets from other posts, but that's not the point here. Is there some factor that could make a helmet take a hit better than another helmet even if both met the minimum requirements to pass DOT certification (which isn't much in my opinion)? I don't know, but I'd be hard pressed to pay much more than a hundred bucks for a helmet myself.

[alanmcorcoran]

I've read some controversy out there on the DOT and SNELL certification process. As a non-expert it's difficut to tell if the argument is between vested interests or is purely scientific, but there is some disagreement on the emphasis and approach that goes into helmet testing and subsequent manufacture. It's not enough for me to think that no helmet is better, but not everyone agrees with the official testing and methodology.

[mr. softie]

I find it insulting that helmet makers think my head is only worth $20-$900!

I am pretty sure God gave all his money away back when He found religion.

[primal]

I'm not a fan of the SNELL ratings. In order to be SNELL certified, a helmet must be EXTREMELY stiff. Everything I've ever learned about physics says that a stiff helmet will transfer more energy to your neck than a less stiff one. Also, it should be noted that there are NO SNELL helmets in Europe. Why? Because European standards test a helmet's ability to absorb energy, not their ability to withstand 2 or more hits without cracking (i.e. SNELL). I'd much rather have a DOT/ECE helmet than a SNELL helmet. I actually have more faith in the ECE ratings than DOT ratings, because its no secrete that Europe has a more robust motorcycling culture (in that they actually see them as valid forms of transportation rather than toys) than we do here in the US.

[adrianinflorida]

Also, it should be noted that there are NO SNELL helmets in Europe. Why? Because European standards test a helmet's ability to absorb energy, not their ability to withstand 2 or more hits without cracking (i.e. SNELL). I'd much rather have a DOT/ECE helmet than a SNELL helmet. I actually have more faith in the ECE ratings than DOT ratings, because its no secrete that Europe has a more robust motorcycling culture (in that they actually see them as valid forms of transportation rather than toys) than we do here in the US.
That statement is a bit misleading. Most racing helmets legal for use in Europe under FIA regulations are SNELL rated as well as being rated by the wuropean organizations. Arai, Scheuberth (The current favorite among F1 drivers, actually the "spec" helemet in F1 for a season or two, until the other Helmet manufacturers complained and were allowed to submit thier helmets for approval)Stand 21 and others have SNELL ratings as well as Euro ssafety ratings.

[Sarris]

As I understand it, 3/4 or half helmets can be DOT, but only non-opening chin bar full face meets Snell.

I don't wear a full face, so to hell with Snell.

:lol:

[adrianinflorida]

As I understand it, 3/4 or half helmets can be DOT, but only non-opening chin bar full face meets Snell.

I don't wear a full face, so to hell with Snell.

:lol:
That's correct, SNELL has always been more concerned with motorsports helmets, and following the Earnhardt accident, no sanctioning bodies really allow open face helmets any more, except for some rally sanctioning bodies.

SNELL's SA rating, for motorsports, tests not only impact, but also flammability and effect of roll bar impact against the helmet.

The M rating for Cycles tests for impact and field of view.

the K rating, Kartin helmets, tests for impact.

Although, sort of overkill for the casual motorcyclist, SNELL has done more for motorsports helmets over the past 50 years than any other group. It's actually kind of scary to even look at the lids that Formula One and Indy Car drivers wore in the early 70's compared to the helmets and HANS devices they use now.

[primal]

That statement is a bit misleading. Most racing helmets legal for use in Europe under FIA regulations are SNELL rated as well as being rated by the wuropean organizations. Arai, Scheuberth (The current favorite among F1 drivers, actually the "spec" helemet in F1 for a season or two, until the other Helmet manufacturers complained and were allowed to submit thier helmets for approval)Stand 21 and others have SNELL ratings as well as Euro ssafety ratings.

That may be so, but I remember reading (and of course, I can't find the article anywhere) that the big name helmet manufacturers (Shoei, Arai, etc etc) actually manufacture their European helmets to the ECE standard instead of the SNELL standard. *shrugs*

[alantf]

The only markings I can find on my European Airoh "TopOne" 3/4 are a circle with E3 inside, & under that is the code 0558925/J_ 159322

This means absolutely nothing to me.

[adrianinflorida]

That may be so, but I remember reading (and of course, I can't find the article anywhere) that the big name helmet manufacturers (Shoei, Arai, etc etc) actually manufacture their European helmets to the ECE standard instead of the SNELL standard. *shrugs*That's correct, for the most part, as far as their non-racing helmets go. Anything that's going to be raced will have SNELL and FIA ratings to get the driver through tech incepction. How much safer is a Shoei that is DOT/ECE rated vs a Shoei with SNELL/FIA rating? probably a bit, but not noticeably so. The big difference cones between brands, and whether the shell is made from fiberglass, pol, carbon, kevlar, etc. The fiberglass lids seem to prect the 'least', comparatively speaking, and the composites the 'best', as long as there is a decent, sound desgin to the foam inner helmet and padded liner to back it up. The R&D that goes into the design is where the big name manufacturers pull aheadm, and why they can charge more.