Bought 2 helmets

[littleburner]

Picking up gear as I go along on sunday I picked up 2 helmets for £4 pretty cheap, ones brand new which my gf is having, the other has been used and the guy said its never been dropped or he never fell off the bike with it but does have a few scuffs so was wondering is it safe and is it worth respraying it ?

The helmet with scuffs on it is quite old and the leather on the helmet is soft and cracked so I was wondering is it okay even though it's old

I don't wanna jeperdies my saftey

[AdeyT]

Always a big gamble with second hand helmets, taking someones word they've never been dropped, not sure if they will do the job and protect your head and save your life, may only find out when it's too late. I would bin both helmets and go to a reputable shop, try lots of differents helmets on and get a brand new one that perfectly fits your head. You don't have to pay a fortune for a new helmet, it's the one peice of gear I wouldn't skimp on, not worth the gamble.

[Ali in Austria]

Helmets have a shelf life once they come out of the box. Manufacturers and safety groups will say between 2 - 5 years or if it gets dropped.

As AdeyT said it is the one piece of kit I wouldn't skimp on for me or my nearest and dearest.

Having spent a few years working in the motorcycle industry, it never ceased to amaze me how many would pay a fortune for a bike, fashion leathers and boots and then skimp on a helmet for themselves or even worse, kit their pillion out with the cheapest inadequate gear they can buy.

[toothe]

i had a 2nd hand helmet before my current one. Was like new no visible marks. But helmets are meant to take 1 impact only. They are foam and the foam never reshapes. If your not happy dont wear it.

[790Bonneville]

I think 2 cheap new helmets would be far safer than 2 bought off a bloke in a field.

[Tango]

Gotta agree with the above comments......I have in the past bought 2nd hand lids.....but I've seen the light and wouldn't risk it any more......

[Tango]

But a new lid need not cost the earth.....and fit is more important than anything else.....

Check out the Sharp website and see how many cheaper lids fall into the 4 & 5 star category......check the following as an example....http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/duchinni-d701

[mattycoops43]

Also, painty helmet no no no no! The paint can effect the integrity of the outer surface. You are not even meant to put stickers on technically, although most of us do.

[Mrbarry]

You can buy BS approved stickers for helmets, but most eBay sellers only pretend they are approved! They have a special glue 'apparently' not sure how its different.

Bit like fish tank and mirror silicone is different from standard stuff, it's acetone free so it doesn't poison fish or ruin the mirror.