Buying used helmet

Bigtoe · 05-28-2003, 10:43 PM

I am thinking of buying a used helmet off of E-bay. I have seen the pictures posted of the helmet. Looks like it's in excellent shape. They are actual pictures, not manufacturer posted pictures. What do you guys think? Is it safe or not? The seller says it has only been worn a handful of times. I dunno! Seems like a good deal.

2OHOH2 · 05-28-2003, 10:48 PM

Linky?

Holeshot · 05-28-2003, 11:27 PM

Post a linky!!!

PS. I have one for sale as well. Only a handful of uses. Actually it sounds like you were looking at *my* ad.

Johnny Diablo · 05-29-2003, 5:53 AM

You have got to be kidding?

There are all kind of shady characters on Ebay
*cough* *Kookie**cough*

remember this is your safety we are talking about. *Not all damage to helmets can be seen at the surface.

My friend sanded the paint off his helmet as he was going to repair the small chipped paint spots on his Arai after a crash. *You could see spider cracks thru the whole helmet after the top layer of paint was sanded off.

ND4SPD · 05-29-2003, 7:55 AM

Buy new, and don't cheap out. The extra $100 might save you paralysis, or worse, even death. Just buy a new one, and treat it like your firstborn

Motopilot · 05-29-2003, 10:04 AM

Don't. How much is your head worth to you?

alexandra · 05-29-2003, 10:49 AM

Its not worth risking your head (life) just to save a few $$. Just like was said 'what's your head worth?'

You can get DOT and Snell approved helmet for about 200 or less. My first helmet was an HJC Cl-12.

Here is a new HJC (DOT and Snell) upgrade from the CL-12
CL-14

HondaGal · 05-29-2003, 11:01 AM

Don't buy a used helmet from a stranger. Reminds me of the crashed/rashed one that was being sold on Ebay last week. Ya never know what happened to it.

Now, if a good buddy of yours has one and wore it only a few times and you know it hasn't been abused, then it should be ok. Personally, I wouldn't consider buy a used helmet.

NineFiftyFour · 05-29-2003, 7:56 PM

If you just need a helmet, I have 2 for sale. Medium and Small

Both are Shoei RFR's.

Both are about 5years old, and both were only used for about 3 months.

YES, 3 months. I had an old FZR, and hated it. So I sold the bike, but ended up keeping the helmets.

Never dropped, some skuff marks from being moved from house to house, but nothing major.

If you are interested, I'm selling them for $50/ea.

Just to let you know, the Medium helmet is missing the chin strap clip. You can see it in the pics provided.

http://www.ag-eng.com/images/954/P1310026.jpg
http://www.ag-eng.com/images/954/P1310027.jpg
http://www.ag-eng.com/images/954/P1310028.jpg
http://www.ag-eng.com/images/954/P1310034.jpg

fivestar · 05-29-2003, 8:35 PM

I wouldn't buy a used helmet, unless you personally know the seller. You never know what you might end up with

luvtolean · 05-29-2003, 8:39 PM

Quote:

fivestar929 : I wouldn't buy a used helmet, unless you personally know the seller. *You never know what you might end up with

and HG too.

abtech · 05-29-2003, 8:54 PM

Most racing organizations won't let you on the grid with a helmet that is 5 years old. *The shell loses it's elasticity and begins to develop cracks over time. *Buy a new one and check the SNELL date. *If it isn't the latest, keep looking (and if it doesn't have SNELL certification, don't even consider it for a second).

NineFiftyFour · 05-30-2003, 7:48 PM

Quote:

abtech : Most racing organizations won't let you on the grid with a helmet that is 5 years old. *The shell loses it's elasticity and begins to develop cracks over time. *Buy a new one and check the SNELL date. *If it isn't the latest, keep looking (and if it doesn't have SNELL certification, don't even consider it for a second).

You know there are NEW helmets sold with the Snell 1995 sticker inside.

The only difference with Snell 2000 is they put the helmet through a different set of tests.

Yes, helmets that are older usually are not to be trusted, but remember, those are the ones that were usually used for all 5 years.

I'm pretty sure there are a few riders in here that have helmets older than 5 years, and still use them on a consistant basis.

abtech · 05-30-2003, 7:57 PM

Quote:

NineFiftyFour : Quote (abtech @ May 29 2003, 7:54pm)Most racing organizations won't let you on the grid with a helmet that is 5 years old. *The shell loses it's elasticity and begins to develop cracks over time. *Buy a new one and check the SNELL date. *If it isn't the latest, keep looking (and if it doesn't have SNELL certification, don't even consider it for a second).

You know there are NEW helmets sold with the Snell 1995 sticker inside.

The only difference with Snell 2000 is they put the helmet through a different set of tests.

Yes, helmets that are older usually are not to be trusted, but remember, those are the ones that were usually used for all 5 years.

I'm pretty sure there are a few riders in here that have helmets older than 5 years, and still use them on a consistant basis.
This is just horseshit. *If you find a new helmet with a SNELL 95 sticker on it, it has been in the dealers stock for over 4 years (SNELL 2000 stickers were issued in late 1999). *The materials used in the manufacture of helmets degrade with age (see the AGV, Shoei or ARAI sites for details). *A 4 year old helmet is quickly approaching its end of life based on the manufacturers own recommendations and every SNELL test cycle ever run.

Do yourself a favor. *If you don't mind eating through an IV, pissing through a catheter, or using a respirator just to breathe, then buy that SNELL 95 helmet and go for it. *If you just want to spread some ashes, get a non SNELL certified helmet.

'The only difference with Snell 2000 is they put the helmet through a different set of tests.'

Yep that and the fact that they were manufactured while that standard was still in place (1995 through November 1999).

luvtolean · 05-30-2003, 8:53 PM

Quote:

NineFiftyFour : Yes, helmets that are older usually are not to be trusted, but remember, those are the ones that were usually used for all 5 years.

I'm pretty sure there are a few riders in here that have helmets older than 5 years, and still use them on a consistant basis.

Usage isn't the issue, it is time. Air and sunlight are very harsh.

Here's an example most people will be familiar with. Ever put on a helmet when it has sat in the sun? It smells like glue. It smells like that becuase the glue is breaking down and releasing some of its components.

I see people use helmets after they crash them all the time too. It doesn't mean they're safe. (Or smart)

NineFiftyFour · 05-31-2003, 12:06 AM

Quote:

abtech : This is just horseshit. *If you find a new helmet with a SNELL 95 sticker on it, it has been in the dealers stock for over 4 years (SNELL 2000 stickers were issued in late 1999).

I've seen some ICON helmets, brand new with SNELL95 stickers.

I've also seen Beiffe (SP?) and KBC helmets with SNELL95 stickers.

I didn't say it was a good thing, I just said it happens.

No need to ARGUE with me about it, it's just a fact of life.

Yes, the manufacturers of Shoei, ARAI, AGV, etc, etc, etc..... recommend you replace your helmet at the 5 year mark.

Yes, AIR and SUNLIGHT cause the helmet to decay, but.....

.......you're telling me, that if I buy a new ARAI 'xxx' helmet, and put it in my closet for 7 years, I shouldn't wear it because it loses it's 'elasticity' (the ability to stretch?), sorry, I just don't buy that one.

abtech · 05-31-2003, 8:28 AM

Quote:

NineFiftyFour : Quote (abtech @ May 30 2003, 6:57pm)This is just horseshit. *If you find a new helmet with a SNELL 95 sticker on it, it has been in the dealers stock for over 4 years (SNELL 2000 stickers were issued in late 1999).

I've seen some ICON helmets, brand new with SNELL95 stickers.

I've also seen Beiffe (SP?) and KBC helmets with SNELL95 stickers.

I didn't say it was a good thing, I just said it happens.

No need to ARGUE with me about it, it's just a fact of life.

Yes, the manufacturers of Shoei, ARAI, AGV, etc, etc, etc..... recommend you replace your helmet at the 5 year mark.

Yes, AIR and SUNLIGHT cause the helmet to decay, but.....

.......you're telling me, that if I buy a new ARAI 'xxx' helmet, and put it in my closet for 7 years, I shouldn't wear it because it loses it's 'elasticity' (the ability to stretch?), sorry, I just don't buy that one.
I'm not arguing because your 7 year old 'brand new' ARAI won't hold up in a crash and protect your head. *That is a fact and one of the tests that SNELL uses during the cert process to prove the need for new certification levels every few years. *The racing organizations aren't making this stuff up, and even though you can find 'brand new' SNELL 95 helmets in the store, it still means they were manufactured before 2000. *They just sat at the distributor or dealer before you looked at them. *

Once the new certification is released, no more helmets are certified to the old spec, that is a fact. *Better helmets always have a date of manufacture somewhere in the lining. *You can confirm their age by checking this out.

Bigtoe · 06-02-2003, 10:46 AM

I guess I started something here. I am looking at a (supposedly) new helmet on e-bay. I would never buy a used helmet. I have three of those already. Not that I have bought used. They were brand new when I bought them. How about shipping a helmet from the manufacturer to the distributor! Does that break down the integrity of the helmet. Most say no.

2OHOH2 · 06-02-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Bigtoe : The seller says it has only been worn a handful of times.

.
.
.

I guess I started something here. *I am looking at a (supposedly) new helmet on e-bay. *I would never buy a used helmet. *I have three of those already. *Not that I have bought used. *They were brand new when I bought them. *How about shipping a helmet from the manufacturer to the distributor! *Does that break down the integrity of the helmet. *Most say no.

'Handful' means it's not new, so which is it? Also, still no link to the auction, so how can we give you an educated opinion?

Probably a moot point because by now the auction is most likely over...

Zeeman · 06-02-2003, 11:24 AM

Don't do it. Just buy a new one.

Z...

Bigtoe · 06-02-2003, 1:44 PM

OK! You guys talked me into it! I am going to only buy new! Any one know the difference between the Arai RX7-RR4 or the RX7 Corsair. I would like to get a Hayden wired.