Would you buy a second hand motorcycle helmet?

[Pie-Roe]

I've worn and crashed in several second hand helmets that fitted well. My heads ok.

I got one helmet off a guy in a bike shop once who dropped it from thigh height and immediately bought a new one. Turned out he'd only had it for about 3 weeks (weekend blaster) so it'd probably only seen 8 hours use max. Got it for £50, worth about 400
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[G]

I should add that I've been in quite a lot of crashes with new and second hand helmets.

The one that did do damage (nasty concussion, head aches for around a year after if I did any serious exercise) was with a new helmet that wasn't a perfect fit, but was the best fit I could afford at the time.

[mysterious_rider]

[G]

Too loose. Not sure you'd have so much of a problem when crashing with 'too tight' - you'd just get head aches etc, which'd probably precipitate the crash .

[TheBikerStig]

[G]

[mossi123uk]

i thought helmets only lasted for about 3 years?

because all the stuff inside goes off and goes hard or something?

[ninja_butler]

[T.C]

A good well maintained helmet should dependant on use, last about 5 years, however this rule is dependant on a number of factors.  If you are a high mileage user, or you perspire a lot, then you may need to consider changing it more regularly, say every 2 – 3 years as the degradation of the liner will be accelerated.

I used to be a 100,000 mile a year rider and would go through at least 4 helmets a year. Now my helmets last comfortably for 3 - 4 years as my mileage has dropped considerably, so as mentioned, if you sweat a lot, wear hairspray or gell, take your helmet on and off a lot, then you may need to consider replacing more regularly than some others.

UV and external heat and weather has no bearing on the shell.

Until about 10 years ago it was reckoned that a polycarbonate or thermoplastic shell had a life span of about 18 months to two years, but the BSI placed a number of these shells on the roof of their building 24/7 and then regularly inspected and tested them over a 5 year period.

They found that there was no significant degredation in the shell, but the liner had disintegrated on all of them.

It is not the shell you have to worry about, it is the interior styrofoam liner, the strap fixings and the strap itself that causes the biggest problem.
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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[Gazz]

Have done before, nothing to worry about because I never crash.

[TheSmiler]

Anything is better than nothing if you are going to keep to the law and wear an helmet then I don't mind if it is second hand. To be honest my first helmet was second hand and I'm glad it wasn't new.

Within the first few weeks of owning it I'd gravel rash it, dropped it and crashed in it at low speeds. If that was a new helmet or if I was an over safety minded then I'd of bankrupted my budget easier.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[LeanIt]

Why? You can buy a 5 star rated helmet brand new for 60/70 quid?

Unless of course you want a poser label
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Life is like a shit sandwich. The more bread you have, the less shit you eat.

[G]

[ninja_butler]

[G]

Not sure how many 'star' it was, but I did find a £60 lid when I was at cadwell last year and forgot mine (wasn't sure if I was going to ride or not anyway.)

They had cheaper, but none were a good fit, while this was pretty good.
Not as good as a Shoei, but I wasn't really expecting to crash.

[centerstand]

[almostthere]

I left my helmet on the floor in the hall my dog cocked his leg and pissed over it
Its now for sale if anyone wants it
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Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
www.mfairco.uk

[MarJay]

People probably still cared 6 years ago...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[centerstand]

[centerstand]

[centerstand]

The dude who's selling his Quantum/e is also selling a Quantum/s. Each is only about $60, including shipping. The Quantum/s has some super hot sweat stains because it's got less ventillation. The Quantum/s is the sweatier sibling to the Quantum/e. Both lids look like fun to get in and sweat in.

[Hondaondabrai...]

Lesson here is, only buy 2nd hand from cold places.
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blade

[thx1138]

your average off road school, they provide the bike and the gear...all the kit's been crashed in multiple times....

so, yeah, I bough entire set of MX gear off mate who tried green laning and didn't like it

[centerstand]

[centerstand]