Used Helmets?

I've been attending a lot more trackdays in Florida and as a media photographer I've had the opportunity to ride along on several occasions. The problem of trying to hunt down a helmet always causes an issue.

I've been thinking about picking up a used helmet so I'll always have one with me when I hit the track. Is there anything I need to be concerned with when searching online? Is the new standard a Snell 2005 approved helmet? eBay? Craigslist? Amazon?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Peter

 

I know a new brainbucket isn't inexpensive, but what's your melon worth?

You can buy used, but do you know if that helmet has been hit, damaged or compromised in any way? How much will you really be saving anyway? There's also a reason that periodically (every 5 years) the SA-rating is updated and older helmets are phased out (latest, as of last year, is SA-2010). They break down. Use will accelerate that break down. Any idea how many hours a head has been in a used helmet? While the SA-2005 is still accepted by most sanctioning bodies, it won't likely be for much longer. Maybe another 2-3 years (ten total)?

Do yourself a favor, buy new. I just plopped down about $2500 for two new (SA-2010) helmets and paint. But, if I ever need them to do their job, I'll feel a WHOLE lot better.

CW

 

For $300 I wouldn't bother looking for a used one. It's like buying someone's used sweaty tennis shoes.

This helmet:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SIM-4100051/

Should be just fine for your needs. Getting it painted is the expensive part!

 

True, paint isn't inexpensive. Good paint, anyway.

And, there's nothing embarrassing about being a cue ball.

Track rats may ultimately want to personalize it, but if you're just doing occasional track day here or there, it's probably not worth the money.

CW

 

I don't really care about what it looks like or the color, I just need something on my head so I can ride.

Any recommended brands or websites?

 

Why is there something inherently wrong with this statement?

The least expensive ones I found in the past are here:

http://www.gforceoutlet.com/products/helmets.php

 

Let's not take this so seriously. I don't need a Formula 1 spec full carbon Kevlar helmet. Just a basic one that meets track standards. I'm not an idiot...

 

I'd highly recommend Simpson. They aren't that expensive as I've shown but they are a quality brand. More importantly I really like the way they fit. I like a large viewing area and the Voyager has that. I have a carbon one but I need to update because it's too old to use.

I've painted over a dozen helmets for friends and it's very time consuming. A good paint job will cost a grand alone. I know that's. What I'd charge considering it can easily take 40+ hours to do a kick ass job.

 

I've been riding motorcycles for nearly 40 years without incident - until a few months ago when, through my own fault, I joined the "have fallen" club. Prior to that I'd purchased full face DOT or Snell approved helmets exclusively. Many times I wondered it I was overspending, or paying for something that was being hyped as opposed to providing added safety.

Well I've owned over a dozen helmets over the years, and 11 of them were "retired" with nothing more than normal wear and tear. Until last fall, and despite a relatively minor spill, the helmet was permanently damaged beyond repair. It was quite an experience to see the pavement right in front of my eyes, moving along at a pretty brisk pace.

When I came to a stop, less than 50 feet later, my leather riding jacket was a bit worse for the wear, as were my gloves and riding boots, but the helmet was the worst. It took the full brunt of the spill and I'm glad I had it on, was properly trained (over a dozen motorcycle riding classes over the years), and the gear was "over-engineered" versus my expectations of what damage I'd actually sustain in a fall. I was VERY surprised about the amount of damage that even a minor spill created.

My motto: Good gear is expensive for a reason - if I don't think I can afford it, I should remember that fall day.

 

I never said you were an idiot, but........ you first wanted a used helmet, then you 'just wanted something on my head so I can ride'....

I never said you needed to spend a zillion dollars on a helmet, but don't get a used one, and don't get the minimum you can find, and by that I mean I see guys on motorcycles wearing what look to be skull caps - useless in any kind of a wreck but might very well pass a certain States' minimal requirements.

I have not priced them lately, but I think you can find what you want brand-new for under $200. Call the place on that link I sent you. Or, heck, search EBay for 'g-force helmet'. I see a ton of them at Snell 2005 for $120~ as well as other brands. If you do pics or filming in a car you may want an open face helmet, unless those are disallowed.

 

Helmets age and thus a used one is suicide. Also it only takes one drop of a helmet to stuff it, thus a cheapish new one is better than ANY second hand helmet.

And you can get new helmets for under $350 ... please ensure you get the chin protection. Why they even sell open type helmets with no chin protection anymore I simply don't understand ??
Pete

 

If you just want something on your noggin, here's a bunch of sub $200 options new.

Don't buy used. No affiliation with these.

http://www.racedaysafety.com/rahesnsa.html

Personally I have this one, but didn't go through this site:
http://www.kmjent.com/cart/product.php?productid=1875

 

The potential downside there is it's only SA2005. I *believe* most sanctioning bodies will disallow these after 2015 and you've gotta get another one.

SA2010 OTOH will last a further 5 years.

OTOOH, it does look like you could buy two of these "older" models for the price of most new ones.......

Cheers,
Ian

 

It sounds like for his purposes the date is less important... from my experience, most scenarios where a passenger is allowed would not involve stringent gear inspections, where the date would be scrutinized.

 

I just got one of these (SA2010) and the price seemed quite reasonable:

http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/bell/bell-sport

 

Don't ever buy a used helmet. Buy a new one. They are not that expensive to protect your brain.

MB

 

When I was a p*ss poor, crazy punk teenager I picked up my first bike (my brother's '77 Kz 650 Custom) but I bought the best helmet I could find, a Simpson 32, the black Darth Vader style. Paid $350 bucks for it back in 1983. Still have it today but don't use it anymore as it is just some funky garage art now.

Was smart enough even then to protect my head with the best technology. You should too.

Cheers-Colin Firth

 

Peter,

Do a little research and you should be able to find a new helmet in the couple hundred dollar range. I did a google search and found three right off.



Don't listen to those guys that attack the price. If the helmet fits properly then it will do the job.



The new standard is Snell 2010. Each group has their own rules as to which standard(s) are allowed.

 

Until something totally off the wall happens, you get hurt, and the lawyers come in.

Don't laugh - nobody expected JPM to hit a track vehicle... stuff happens.

 

I second Simpson, and Snell is updated every five years, so IIRC 2010 would be 'current' and usually they only accept one rating "backwards" at the track events??

It's in the fine print.

As long as you avoid kevlar you should not spend more than $500.

I have spent that on my KID'S helments.
Amanda wanted "the red one!"....

 

IIRC it's Lumberman that always has new ones in FerrariADs???

 

Troy Lee sticker sets!! LOL!
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Lice? Seriously, you are riding with someone else driving very fast. Buy a good helmet. I'm in the minority, but mine is open face. It's cooler and can't fog up. $150 if you shop around. Make sure that it fits...snugly.

 

Trying it on for proper fit is pretty important....find a stocking Simpson dealer, gotta be one near Daytona Beach???