Purchasing Used Helmets

[frijoles-and-beans]

Hey guys,

I’m about to buy some used helmets for my daughters. Is there a way to tell when they were manufactured? I know that helmets have a limited life-span, but I still don’t want to pay full retail on three new helmets (they all have different sized heads-what do you do, huh?)

Any help would be appreciated.

[Adler]

Hey guys,

I’m about to buy some used helmets for my daughters. Is there a way to tell when they were manufactured? I know that helmets have a limited life-span, but I still don’t want to pay full retail on three new helmets (they all have different sized heads-what do you do, huh?)

Any help would be appreciated.

I hear alot of people say that you should NEVER use a used helmet. Ignoring peoples suggestions though, there is often a sticker in the helmet that says when it was manufactured.

[bluewool]

Hey guys,

I’m about to buy some used helmets for my daughters. Is there a way to tell when they were manufactured? I know that helmets have a limited life-span, but I still don’t want to pay full retail on three new helmets (they all have different sized heads-what do you do, huh?)

Any help would be appreciated.

Recommended helmet lifespan is usually 5 years. I would go to a big dealer and try on new ones to get the size(I do this for a lot of gear- because we get gouged pretty hard up here) and buy online. A full face DOT "icon" helmet is pretty inexpensive. As far as the manufacture date goes, if you can find the model of the helmet the turn over is pretty fast seems to be about every three years(or less) the models are updated. The if it's snell approved the snell date will give you a ball park.

[SVSooke]

Anouther suggestion,go to online dealers discontinuded/deals pages.You can get some really great deals on stuff that way.

[oldbutslow]

You made me curious, so I looked at both the Bell and Shoei helmets I have. Both have a sticker that is behind the inside padding of the helmet. When it comes to buying helmets, I'm not afraid in the least bit about buying a used, older helmet. As far as safety goes, "fit" is way more important than the age of the helmet. Hope this helped. ,BK

[Agemax]

what are they wearing them for, bike riding? i would Never trust a second hand helmet even for myself. you never know the history.
what price do you put on your daughters heads?

[Nicholaschase29]

I wouldn't be concerned about the age of a helmet either. I'm sure modern ones are probably safer than vintage ones so i'd definitely get a modern style one, but beyond that I don't think age is an issue.

If a helmet goes bad if you drop it - what good will it do when you go bouncing down the road at 80mph...


IMO you'll be fine just to get a nice condition modern used helmet with no obvious signs of damage. Some scuffs etc.

[Ranger]

AFX has helmets for around $25-$40 on BikeBandit that are well designed just no fancy features and you'll know they've never been smashed on the ground or crushed under something heavy if they stored it for a while which could easily crack the foam they use without showing damage to the shell.

They also have a measurement chart which is really accurate, when I ordered mine it fit perfect just going off the chart they had.

[frijoles-and-beans]

I wouldn't be concerned about the age of a helmet either. I'm sure modern ones are probably safer than vintage ones so i'd definitely get a modern style one, but beyond that I don't think age is an issue.

If a helmet goes bad if you drop it - what good will it do when you go bouncing down the road at 80mph...


IMO you'll be fine just to get a nice condition modern used helmet with no obvious signs of damage. Some scuffs etc.

I've read some of the other threads around here about helmets and just looking at it all I have come to the conclusion that as long as it's not too old (maybe a couple of years old), and there aren't any signs of damage, it would be a safe investment. Someone correct me if that assessment is wrong.

This is a purchase to protect my daughters' heads and I definitely do not want to make a mistake. Ranger's advice sounds good to me because it sounds very inexpensive, but I fear it will giving up a comfortable fit.

I think the consensus is to get them brand new helmets, and I will if I absolutely have to, but I am just looking for an inexpensive option that provides safety and comfort. Is that asking for too much? Maybe so. I don't really have the information to answer that, which is why I am here asking you fine folks.

[Billyboy]

I bought a new HJC extra small helmet for my daughters 3 years ago. They ride with me very seldom, and now the helmet is too small. It was really well taken care of, and now I have to convince a buyer that it's still good in order for me to buy my girls another. What a waste. I'd buy a used one if I was confident it was never abused.

[DanTheMan]

You may even find some nearly new "used" helmets, used only for the MSF course, or only because they were under 18 and the law required it, or bought to please someone and never used. There's no helmet law in NM is there? I would never ride wirhout mine, and we don't have a helmet law here in MN.

[Agemax]

it could have a major crack or chunk out of it and be full of filler,repaired by someone in their shed, but look like new if they are good, which aint gonna give you any protection at all in an accident

[Ranger]

Ranger's advice sounds good to me because it sounds very inexpensive, but I fear it will giving up a comfortable fit.

I bought my girlfriend a $40 AFX helmet, no complaints about comfort and she's one that would complain and have me buy her a new one.

One of them that I was reffering to was a 3/4 helmet with the flip up and down face shield.

http://www.bikebandit.com/afx-fx-48-open-face-with-shield-helmet

http://www.bikebandit.com/afx-fx-96-multi-full-face-helmet

Check them out. 2nd one is what she has only $25 now , in pink of course and all the reviews are accurate. It was a cheap buy because I wasn't sure if she'd enjoy being on the back of my bike and now I'm invested in buying more stuff for her.

[Dodik]

go to ebay type full face motorcycle helmet check new condition box, put max price 10 bucks and sort by time left you'll find plenty of new no special brand helmets shipped for under 20 bucks i'd trust those more than a used item

[frijoles-and-beans]

I bought my girlfriend a $40 AFX helmet, no complaints about comfort and she's one that would complain and have me buy her a new one.

One of them that I was reffering to was a 3/4 helmet with the flip up and down face shield.

http://www.bikebandit.com/afx-fx-48-open-face-with-shield-helmet

http://www.bikebandit.com/afx-fx-96-multi-full-face-helmet

Check them out. 2nd one is what she has only $25 now , in pink of course and all the reviews are accurate. It was a cheap buy because I wasn't sure if she'd enjoy being on the back of my bike and now I'm invested in buying more stuff for her.

Great prices Ranger. I guess I can afford new. I hope you can answer this question. I was looking at the sizing chart and it refers to hat size. I've never gotten them hats so I don't know that, but it does have measurement in centimeters and inches. Is that around their noggin or what? Do you know? Does anyone out there know this? I would hate to get them the wrong size and have to send it back and play some kind of mail tag with them. If anyone would like to take a look at the link that Ranger provided and give me some answers that sure would be solid of you.