Time to post this again...motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/...in summary, all modern helmets are good and there's some suggestion that a 'cheap' polycarb helmet is safer in common types of road accidents because it deforms and absorbs energy.I wouldn't buy a secondhand helmet, but I would happily buy one from a 'lesser' brand such as HJC, Caberg etc. and currently own an HJC one. I would probably not buy a really cheap one, but only because the fittings and visor are likely to be crummy.

Melons wroteas you fly through the air, its always comforting to know that your helmet hasnt already been here - done that beforebut surely they need practice?

I only ask, but if the helmet has no signs of external damage, say, not even a scratch, then surely that helmet is "as good as new", and worth buying. It is the internal polystyrene that acts as the major impact absorber for your head and brain, and even this is only reasonably successful in protecting you. If the external shell is weakened by a previous blow then the major part of its protection is still intact. It just so happens that I bought a nice £300 Arai off e-bay for £40, and looking it over I am planning to use the helmet for general use. I have access to x-ray, CT scans and ultrasound scans as I work with them. I rather thought I wouldn't bother testing the helmet with any of these as I think that may be a bit paranoid. Ride safeSteve

[QUOTE=The Spin Doctor]But how can you say that they are better than another helmet unless you repeat the exact impact?I didn't say they were better. Shoei owners would contest that. Considering the force that my head hit the track, I would have expected neck or head injury. Whatever the preference I got my moneys worth in protection from the Arai. I wouldn't want to repeat it to test helmet safety variants. I have also used an a cheap OGK helmet which had crude polysteryne shell. There is no comparison in composition or padding Nitro helmets - never heard of this brand.

QuoteI used to think Arai were overpriced and not worth the money. I flicked a Honda CB750 on a wet track and landed on my head. I was surprised how much protection the Arai helmet gave my head and neck.But how can you say that they are better than another helmet unless you repeat the exact impact?At the end of the day, they all pass the same tests... and we recently had a long thread about the worries that some of the more expensive helmets are built to TOO high a standard...QuoteIt just so happens that I bought a nice £300 Arai off e-bay for £40Could have got a brand new fibreglass Nitro for another £20 and guaranteed it was undamaged and a perfect fit.

I've heard that you can send your helmet off to get scanned for damage and let you know if it is time to change it. Does anyone know about this? I think Arai may do something like this.Thanks

Never heard of getting helmets checked and FWIW I'd never be happy with a second hand one. You have no idea what's happened to it. You can get new ones cheap enough nowadays.

I used to think Arai were overpriced and not worth the money. I flicked a Honda CB750 on a wet track and landed on my head. I was surprised how much protection the Arai helmet gave my head and neck. I walked away with only a bruised thigh.

Paddy O'Lean wrote I have also used an a cheap OGK helmet which had crude polysteryne shell. There is no comparison in composition or padding.I'd be curious to know what you're Arai is made of. Refined polystyrene perhaps?

lewisman wroteI only ask, but if the helmet has no signs of external damage, say, not even a scratch, then surely that helmet is "as good as new", and worth buying. It is the internal polystyrene that acts as the major impact absorber for your head and brain, and even this is only reasonably successful in protecting you. If the external shell is weakened by a previous blow then the major part of its protection is still intact. It just so happens that I bought a nice £300 Arai off e-bay for £40, and looking it over I am planning to use the helmet for general use. I have access to x-ray, CT scans and ultrasound scans as I work with them. I rather thought I wouldn't bother testing the helmet with any of these as I think that may be a bit paranoid. Ride safeSteveIf you do have access to such things you'd realise that x-rays cannot be of much value due to lack of definition and the inability to detect de-lamination of mm size although the ultrasound kit might be OK as you can examine the whole area.With X-rays you've only got one plane and helmets are 2/3 of a dome, you'll never get enough exposures done to examine the whole thing.