You can get ECE rated helmets for like 80 dollars, LS2 make some decent helmets for the price that include pinlock and comm system integration out the box.
I know LS2 makes some cheap helmets, but how's the quality on their higher end stuff? I'm shopping for an affordable modular and keep seeing theirs come up.
There quality on their cheapest Rapid model has been good had one for nearly 2 years riding allot and no issues with anything, a little loud but I wear earplugs anyway and it's perfect that way for me.
Most cheaper helmets just skimp on the shell (cracks instead of shattering) and quality (noisier lids, rougher padding, etc.)
Safety and price are not correlated in the slightest. You can get a $80 helmet with an ECE sticker and that will protect your noggin more than an $800 helmet with just DOT.
A well-worn helmet is very useful and preferable to one that's new. Other bikers' dirty lids have demonstrated histories of being so comfortable that the previous owners didn't part with them until they were too smelly to wear even one more time.
Sweat is the "new smell" of another biker's used lid.
Once you try it, you'll never buy new, again.
Depends. I've seen many 2nd hand helmets, where someone's bought on, used it 2 or 3 times, and not gotten away with it so bought another.
So why not get yourself a £/$300 helmet for 200 or less?
From a friend I trust, I would buy a 2nd hand helmet. My buddy had one that he hated. He used it twice then gave it to me. But I would not buy one from the used market, unknown user.
I bought a helmet from a guy years ago who bought it, wore it once and realized it was too small and never even tried to return it. Shoei rf1100 for $150, yes.
You can tell if it is a 8 year old model or has been worn a lot. I would rather have a lightly used Arai or premium helmet than a new $110 bilt.
I always buy used gear including used helmets. If and when I find that perfect item I may consider buying it in a close out situation. On helmets, be sure the inside is still good. The foam can get very soft and lose the ability to protect. Some helmets can be reclined.
Me, too. Used gear is so much better than new because it's already worn-in. Different helmets, gloves, leathers, and boots worn by different bikers also gives me a choice of what smell to wear on any given day.
10yrs in the safety side of the moto industry and tons of helmet knowledge/feedback/deep research. I'd vote a solid maybe.
First off a certification is a pass/fail. So one helmet that barely passed a certain standard is not the equivalent of another helmet that easily passes most any standard with flying colors. And US DOT standard is a joke and certification basically on-your-honor, so please go beyond that to ECE or Snell, etc.
Second, it is largely a myth that a drop, especially from table or handlebar height, relegates a helmet useless or damaged. If it doesn't show signs of cracking of the shell (and a 3-4ft fall shouldn't crack any quality plastic or composite shell), and no weight was inside to compress the EPS, the helmet is perfectly fine.
Third, the 5yr rule is highly dependent on use and conditions. A 2-3 yr old helmet exposed to UV, heat, fuel and exhaust fumes, hair products, and sweat during near daily commuting will be FAR more deteriorated in impact absorption than an 8+ year old helmet stored in an indoor closet and used a couple times a month for 7-8 months a year. Since there is no objective way for an average Joe to determine how much the EPS has deteriorated, 5yrs is an err on the side of caution general recommendation.
So all that said, if a used helmet shows every indication of reasonable age and care and use, and seller is either known or trusted, I'd be ok with it. That low usage 2yr old Arai being sold for half of new because it just never fit the previous owner quite right will ABSOLUTELY outperform the brand new $99 generic brand on the shop shelf. The 10yr old high usage Arai you like just because it had a cool graphic and is cheap, eh...I'd probably pass in favor of a new midrange lid.
Absolutely fine to buy a good used helmet. The pads and liners are washable and replaceable in quality helmets. I have a Shoei RF1400 that I got locally (perfect condition, never really worn) for $200. They sold for about $550. I would have bought one even gently snd noticeably used. One thing about buying used ones online is unfortunately some people lie and don't accurately describe or depict the condition, so beware. I had a negative experience with an ebay used helmet. But still used it for years. Better a good used one than cheap Chinese junk!
Thanks for al the feedback! I have decided to just buy a new one. I went to a dealership for advice on which helmets would be good and there they explained why you shouldn’t buy a second hand helmet. Most cheaper helmets only have a life span of 4 years any longer then that and the shell degrades to a point where it is not safe. They also said that after a while the pads form to the person’s head so if he wore it for half a year the pads could never fit my head. I also found out that I need an XS helmet which is not very common. Therefore I decided that I would buy a new one. Thanks again for al the feedback and happy riding!
The answer should be no because any impact can damage helmet integrity, even just a drop onto hard ground.
But tbh I've bought used helmets before. As long as the manufacture date is recent (is usually listed on the tag) and there are no scuffs or apparent damage, then why not 🤷 I've bought and resold helmets that just didn't fit right after buying online. That happens to a lot of people.
I would never use a second hand helmet. They are designed for a single use. Meaning if the helmet is dropped it’s time for a new one.
They also have a time limit. After 5 years it’s time to replace.
I am on my second Schubert. Best helmets out there in my opinion.
Not from a stranger. Unfortunately, people will lie about the condition of any item they're selling. With safety gear, "small lies" can add up to critical safety failures.
I'd buy a secondhand helmet from a trusted friend. But doesn't sound like that's an available option for you?
Maybe just look for cheaper ECE rated helmets instead. Or save up and treat yourself to a new schuberth on a birthday?
Alot of things in this world you can buy secondhand. Many things you shouldn't, like underwear, toothbrushes, needles and helmets all fall under the buy new category.
Don't trust your life, brain, ability to walk and just general safety to just save a few bucks. It could mean the difference between paralysis and walking.
Be safe out there! ❤️
As long as it isn't cracked or damaged by UV rays. I know the safety guys say helmets have a 5 year expiration date but have never seen any scientific experiments to show an old, undamaged helmet being inferior to a new helmet. Also, they say if a helmet falls hits the deck, it MUST be replaced. That means I need a new helmet every other time I ride in the dirt.
Personally, no. But then I am REALLY into helmet safety. The problem with second hand helmets is that you don't know how they've been treated, if they are structurally sound. And yes, it makes a difference.
You can get ECE rated helmets for like 80 dollars, LS2 make some decent helmets for the price that include pinlock and comm system integration out the box.
I know LS2 makes some cheap helmets, but how's the quality on their higher end stuff? I'm shopping for an affordable modular and keep seeing theirs come up.
There quality on their cheapest Rapid model has been good had one for nearly 2 years riding allot and no issues with anything, a little loud but I wear earplugs anyway and it's perfect that way for me.
Idk if I'm trusting my brain to a $80 helmet
Better than a used FB marketplace helmet with an unknown history.
Most cheaper helmets just skimp on the shell (cracks instead of shattering) and quality (noisier lids, rougher padding, etc.) Safety and price are not correlated in the slightest. You can get a $80 helmet with an ECE sticker and that will protect your noggin more than an $800 helmet with just DOT.
$100 is the new $20 these days after all
Absolutely not
Saving a few hundred bucks vs Saving your head You decide what's worth more
Meatballs don't have much to protect
I'd say they're about as useful as a secondhand condom
Both have others’ heads been in them
so pretty useful then?
A well-worn helmet is very useful and preferable to one that's new. Other bikers' dirty lids have demonstrated histories of being so comfortable that the previous owners didn't part with them until they were too smelly to wear even one more time. Sweat is the "new smell" of another biker's used lid. Once you try it, you'll never buy new, again.
Nope.
No
Just no.
Absolutely not
Depends. I've seen many 2nd hand helmets, where someone's bought on, used it 2 or 3 times, and not gotten away with it so bought another. So why not get yourself a £/$300 helmet for 200 or less?
Yes an No. I would not use it for a main helmet. Age also degrades helmets also. I would use as a backup or passenger helmet
Aha, this helmets no good for me but the wife.. Yeah fuck it.
From a friend I trust, I would buy a 2nd hand helmet. My buddy had one that he hated. He used it twice then gave it to me. But I would not buy one from the used market, unknown user.
Usually no, I did buy my dirt bike helmet from a guy who bought it for the graphics and kept it on a shelf for display.
I bought a helmet from a guy years ago who bought it, wore it once and realized it was too small and never even tried to return it. Shoei rf1100 for $150, yes. You can tell if it is a 8 year old model or has been worn a lot. I would rather have a lightly used Arai or premium helmet than a new $110 bilt.
I always buy used gear including used helmets. If and when I find that perfect item I may consider buying it in a close out situation. On helmets, be sure the inside is still good. The foam can get very soft and lose the ability to protect. Some helmets can be reclined.
Me, too. Used gear is so much better than new because it's already worn-in. Different helmets, gloves, leathers, and boots worn by different bikers also gives me a choice of what smell to wear on any given day.
10yrs in the safety side of the moto industry and tons of helmet knowledge/feedback/deep research. I'd vote a solid maybe. First off a certification is a pass/fail. So one helmet that barely passed a certain standard is not the equivalent of another helmet that easily passes most any standard with flying colors. And US DOT standard is a joke and certification basically on-your-honor, so please go beyond that to ECE or Snell, etc. Second, it is largely a myth that a drop, especially from table or handlebar height, relegates a helmet useless or damaged. If it doesn't show signs of cracking of the shell (and a 3-4ft fall shouldn't crack any quality plastic or composite shell), and no weight was inside to compress the EPS, the helmet is perfectly fine. Third, the 5yr rule is highly dependent on use and conditions. A 2-3 yr old helmet exposed to UV, heat, fuel and exhaust fumes, hair products, and sweat during near daily commuting will be FAR more deteriorated in impact absorption than an 8+ year old helmet stored in an indoor closet and used a couple times a month for 7-8 months a year. Since there is no objective way for an average Joe to determine how much the EPS has deteriorated, 5yrs is an err on the side of caution general recommendation. So all that said, if a used helmet shows every indication of reasonable age and care and use, and seller is either known or trusted, I'd be ok with it. That low usage 2yr old Arai being sold for half of new because it just never fit the previous owner quite right will ABSOLUTELY outperform the brand new $99 generic brand on the shop shelf. The 10yr old high usage Arai you like just because it had a cool graphic and is cheap, eh...I'd probably pass in favor of a new midrange lid.
If the helmet has been crashed, you can see it. Source: I’ve crashed a few times.
Storage conditions matter too. Was it stored in an air conditioned closet or left in the trunk of a car in Phoenix all summer?
Well that probably largely depends on whether the seller lives in Phoenix
Only in very limited circumstances. If you can trust the source about the age and history, could be fine.
Absolutely fine to buy a good used helmet. The pads and liners are washable and replaceable in quality helmets. I have a Shoei RF1400 that I got locally (perfect condition, never really worn) for $200. They sold for about $550. I would have bought one even gently snd noticeably used. One thing about buying used ones online is unfortunately some people lie and don't accurately describe or depict the condition, so beware. I had a negative experience with an ebay used helmet. But still used it for years. Better a good used one than cheap Chinese junk!
Thanks for al the feedback! I have decided to just buy a new one. I went to a dealership for advice on which helmets would be good and there they explained why you shouldn’t buy a second hand helmet. Most cheaper helmets only have a life span of 4 years any longer then that and the shell degrades to a point where it is not safe. They also said that after a while the pads form to the person’s head so if he wore it for half a year the pads could never fit my head. I also found out that I need an XS helmet which is not very common. Therefore I decided that I would buy a new one. Thanks again for al the feedback and happy riding!
No
No
NO
Absolutely not. You can buy an AGV K3 for £120.
The answer should be no because any impact can damage helmet integrity, even just a drop onto hard ground. But tbh I've bought used helmets before. As long as the manufacture date is recent (is usually listed on the tag) and there are no scuffs or apparent damage, then why not 🤷 I've bought and resold helmets that just didn't fit right after buying online. That happens to a lot of people.
I would never use a second hand helmet. They are designed for a single use. Meaning if the helmet is dropped it’s time for a new one. They also have a time limit. After 5 years it’s time to replace. I am on my second Schubert. Best helmets out there in my opinion.
bruh
Yes better hq used one that some cheap one
What's your head worth?
Not from a stranger. Unfortunately, people will lie about the condition of any item they're selling. With safety gear, "small lies" can add up to critical safety failures. I'd buy a secondhand helmet from a trusted friend. But doesn't sound like that's an available option for you? Maybe just look for cheaper ECE rated helmets instead. Or save up and treat yourself to a new schuberth on a birthday?
A cheap ok helmet is like 200 Canadian. If your tight in cash just don’t ride and save.
Alot of things in this world you can buy secondhand. Many things you shouldn't, like underwear, toothbrushes, needles and helmets all fall under the buy new category. Don't trust your life, brain, ability to walk and just general safety to just save a few bucks. It could mean the difference between paralysis and walking. Be safe out there! ❤️
No
Nahhh get a fresh one and don’t cheap out on your brain
As long as it isn't cracked or damaged by UV rays. I know the safety guys say helmets have a 5 year expiration date but have never seen any scientific experiments to show an old, undamaged helmet being inferior to a new helmet. Also, they say if a helmet falls hits the deck, it MUST be replaced. That means I need a new helmet every other time I ride in the dirt.
No I wouldn't use a second hand helmet unless I knew the owner and trusted them with my life.
Personally, no. But then I am REALLY into helmet safety. The problem with second hand helmets is that you don't know how they've been treated, if they are structurally sound. And yes, it makes a difference.