ALT-4 Why you should not Buy a used Motorcycle Helmet
My husband bought me a brand new cherry red motorcycle helmet when he purchased his 1986 Honda Shadow. We wore protective gear and helmets and we were never in an accident. If I were to sell my helmet I would first need to remove the Hello Kitty Stickers that dot its surface. Then I would have to realize that I could not sell it with a clean conscience.
You see, WE had not been in an accident but my helmet had: I yanked it out of the trunk of my car once and it went flying out of my hands, slammed into the parking lot, and skidded across the pavement.
We looked at each other in deflated angst as we both knew that this helmet had lost some if protective properties by withstanding the impact of my careless fling and that we would have to consider buying a new one or going to the trouble to send it in to the company for safety testing.
Helmets that have been in any sort of impact trauma - on your head or not - lose a degree of the safety feature they so importantly provide to motorcycle riders.
Would I have been lying if I looked you in the face and said, "No, this helmet has never been in any kind of traffic collision"?
The #1 reason to NEVER buy used is because you simply cannot verify the claims of the seller that the helmet has never sustained ANY impact, traffic or non. Already vulnerable on the road, are you willing to risk fudging the safety feature that could be the difference between you eating a tubular taco and eating through a tube?
Secondary reasons to avoid used helmets:
- Expert Help - no motorcycle expert will sell you a used helmet, which means that you are without an essential buying tool when you are purchasing the most important part of your motorcycle gear. Do you already know all the elements of a proper fit for helmets? Do you know the shape of your head, how snug the fit should be, the safest way to wear the straps, the impact vents can have in your comfort and safety (think distraction)? Do you under stand the importance of a clean, properly functioning liner? Does the helmet you are buying meet DOT regulations and safety standards? If you know the answer to all of these questions then you are a helmet expert and you already KNOW that you should not buy a used helmet.
- Hygiene - yuck - do I have to explain this one? I'm a clean gal, silky hair, frequent showers - I STILL PERSPIRED IN MY HELMET EVERY TIME I PUT IT ON, dead of winter or the heat of the summer. Sound Inviting?
- Investment - you've already put down some money for a good bike, made sure you have adequate insurance coverage and other appropriate safety gear - why not round out your investment with something as essential and non-renewable as gas: A GOOD, SAFE, COMFORTABLE HELMET? This shows other riders that you are a serious and conscientious motorcycle user and not some poser - the motorcycle courtesy wave comes shortly AFTER the other rider has scanned your bike AND gear from head to toe.
Happy Riding in your new, sleek and FRESH helmet!
