ALT-6 Why you should not Buy a used Motorcycle Helmet
The only thing dumber than buying a used motorcycle helmet is this: not buying a motorcycle helmet at all.
On the open road, as you share the lanes with semis and SUVs, your motorcycle helmet is the only thing that stands between you and the asphalt. You may be a super-skilled motorcyclist, but a misplaced pile of sand or gravel may send you for a spill. On a cycle, you have very little margin of error.
In other words, your helmet may be just the thing that saves you from severe head trauma or even death.
Perhaps you shot your entire wad on your hot cycle. You will still want to purchase a new helmet with a rock-solid warranty. Used helmets are not reliable. The outer shell may appear solid and scratch-free. Even so, the inner-core, made of polystyrene, may be damaged or even crushed. Such a helmet will not protect you in a collision or a fall.
Over time, a helmet must be replaced because of deterioration. The inner-core may be damaged by wind, sun, and even gasoline fumes. A dried-out inner-core will not support your head when you need it most.
Ask any helmet manufacturer about their merchandise guarantee policy. A helmet is no longer warranteed after an accident. A single crack or flaw can render it useless in an accident.
Plus, protective headgear technology is constantly changing. Don't you want the latest features? A lightweight, vented helmet with fogproofing, mirrors, and more?
New helmets can cost $150 to $500 and more. Still, consider what they protect. Your life may depend on the strength of your headgear.
If you can afford a motorcycle, and today's gas prices, then you can certainly pop for a new lid. After all, it may keep you from popping yours!
