used helmets

[cgmoto]

Hello all,

I finally bought my first motorcycle! The previous owner tossed in their helmet for free, although I've been told that used helmets are worthless. It fits well and as the bike hasn't been crashed, I believe the helmet might be ok. Any thoughts on this. Thanks in advance

[VermilionX]

how old is the helmet and do you see any noticeable damage to it?

if it's old but no damage to the shell, you should just change the padding inside and i believe that will be ok.

[Shiv]

No, it could have still been dropped and that might not show on the outter surface.


I'd see if you could send it to the factory and get it checked out.

[Jamers!]

see if you can get the factory to check it out or xray it.


JWF

[Dirtytoes]

ya...like everyone said, send it to the factory for inspection if you can....shoei is the only that i know does free inspection....the other major ones should too...

if for any reason you can't send it in for inspection, just take it to your closest airport and run it through the x-ray machine... (i actially did that myself once, took it tl LAX)

[Sev]

I don't really understand what taking it to the airport does. It's not like the people who work their x-ray machine would have any idea what to look for, other then a big jagged crack, and I'm not completely positive that it would be capable of picking up the kind of damage your eyes cannot see (the stuff we're worried about). That, and I doubt the airport attendant would take the time to check more then one angle.

i could be completely wrong, but it just doesn't make sense, it'd be like asking your family doctor to do your dental work. He might have a general idea of what he's doing, but it doesn't mean I'd want him sticking sharpened metal bits into my mouth.

[Dirtytoes]

I don't really understand what taking it to the airport does. It's not like the people who work their x-ray machine would have any idea what to look for, other then a big jagged crack, and I'm not completely positive that it would be capable of picking up the kind of damage your eyes cannot see (the stuff we're worried about). That, and I doubt the airport attendant would take the time to check more then one angle.

i could be completely wrong, but it just doesn't make sense, it'd be like asking your family doctor to do your dental work. He might have a general idea of what he's doing, but it doesn't mean I'd want him sticking sharpened metal bits into my mouth.

i agree and i don't........i only said take it to the airport if for any reason you can't get it inspected by a professional...

[Sev]

But if you don't have a professional look at it, you have NO way of knowing if it's safe or not, you only have the opinion of some one who doesn't know anything about helmets. So you're better off just buying a new one.

[SuperRookie]

But if you don't have a professional look at it, you have NO way of knowing if it's safe or not, you only have the opinion of some one who doesn't know anything about helmets. So you're better off just buying a new one.

+1

[RTR]

Why take chances. Helmets are not all that expensive in the mid range catergory. Probably less the $200 you can get yourself a nice one, that comes with piece of mind assurances.

Enjoy the ride.