Helmet question

[kuz]

Someone asked me what I thought about buying a used helmet. Supposedly in very good condition, 3 years old. I said I'd avoid a used helmet, what do the more experienced folks out there think. Thanks

[siralienj]

Old helmets are for the occasional passenger and riding in dune buggies and not to be bought and sold.

The inner guts of most helmets is styrofoam. After a few times wearing the helmet it starts to take the shape of the wearers head. Plus, you have no clue as to how many times that thing has been dropped.

[jstark47]

Besides the good points siralienj made, a lot of people think the helmet's polystyrene lining loses its ability to be compressed after 5 years or so. At that point the helmet is no longer able to protect your brain by aborbing shock. So why get a helmet that's already lost a major part of its useful lifespan? It's not worth the savings - unless you got a spare brain sitting around....

[Johnj]

Use it as a planter.

[Banned]

rather than make a new topic i decided to ask here.

If a helmet is DOT and Snell certified does that mean the characteristics are different from a DOT ONLY certified helmet?

[Lion_Lady]

As I understand it,

DOT certification is required for street legal helmets in the US. It is up to the manufacturer to follow and meet the specifications for DOT certification. Only around 40 styles/brands of helmet are tested by the Dept of Transportation each year to confirm they meet the set standard. So, it is wise to buy a known/recognized brand helmet - there is a reputation to uphold.

SNELL certification is voluntary. There are additional tests that must be passed to get the SNELL mark. Helmet makers submit their helmet to the SNELL Foundation for testing and approval.

All SNELL certified helmets meet the DOT standard, but not all DOT helmets meet the SNELL standard.

A study was done a couple(?) years ago and published that seemed to indicate that some SNELL standards put the rider at greater risk.

P

[XB08]

They say you sould replace your helmet every five years, I replace mine every three years, so all ready you won't have it for long. if the helmet was ever drop( 6" on hard groung) It needs to be replaced and you might think it is good. Bottom line is it is your head.

[centerstand65]

It's no sweat. Money-wise, used is the only way to go. The only sweat will be in your new well-worn lid which just adds character.

[Wilderman]

Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatali- ties resulting from motorcycle and bicycle crashes. Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are at a much higher risk of sustaining head injuries and from dying from these injuries.

[KayBur]

Hello. I'm not an expert, but I wouldn't take a used helmet. Firstly, it is not hygienic (even if you wash it, it is not a fact that it will be perfectly cleaned), and secondly, you do not know how it was treated before you, whether there are microcracks on the helmet or not.