$5 Helmet

[OzFab]

Believe it or not, in all the years I've owned motorbikes, buggies, etc, I've never owned a helmet. Now that I'm getting into go karts in a big way, I thought it was about time I got one, if for no other reason than to set an example for my daughter (I make her wear a helmet when she's riding her go kart, why shouldn't I).

So, after months of scouring ebay I finally found this, with a starting price of only $5. I placed a bid & no one else did (probably because the Australian Standards sticket had been removed).

It had a few marks & scratches but, I thought, "ah, that'll buff out" &, sure enongh, it did (well, most of it).

It's not perfect but, for $5, what can you expect...

BTW: The orange in the first pic is actually red, dunno how that happened...

 

[Mcbreja]

Can't beat that deal! Nice find.

 

[Nodroz]

I've alsways read that you shouldn't buy helmets 2nd hand online. Once a helmet has ever been broken, it won't protect you anymore from further accidents. You may be lucky it's still intact, but you never know with eBay these days... just warning you.

Either way, $5 is nothing. Good find!

 

[ScottB]

I'm guessing go kart accidents are probably lower impact, but in motorcycle-ville, our traditional logic is that either 5 years from date of purchase or 7 years from date of production, your helmet is officially expired. It has to do (apparently) with degradation of the foam in the lid not being able to adequately "crumple" and save your noggin.

As it happens, I'm an ER doc. I know what happens when helmets fail. It ain't purty.

Edit: Wow, ok, that sounded preachy. I'm sure you're able to make your own informed choice, and I'll put my soapbox away now.

 

[Mcbreja]

Maybe a little, but new information is always welcome. I've never owned a bike or kart before so never paid much attention to these helmets. Long story short, I didn't know that. Now that I'm going to have to look for helmets (for the same reason as Fabroman x2) that's good info to have.

 

[anderkart]

I'm guessing go kart accidents are probably lower impact,

Umm... not really, check this video out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh6y_UTp5wI

 

[sexyvicta]

anything is better than nothing but you realy need to go buy a new one that fits properly and which you know hasn't been dropped. They arn't that expensive new for a basic no frills type

edit: tho i guess buying secondhand off somebody you trust would be ok. The correct size for your head is the most important part.

 

[ScottB]

OK, let me rephrase: Generally, I would guess your average kart crash is lower impact than your average bike crash.

But, I guess you prepare for the worst.

 

[ML-TOYS]

here is my $5.00 one i got last week
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160857058802?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_2140wt_1186

 

[OzFab]

WOW, I wasn't expecting that...

Yes, I know a helmet that's been involved in a drop is pretty much useless & that you should buy a new one every 5 years but, did y'all miss the bit about having bikes etc & never owning a helmet? I've owned bikes & ridden others & stacked a few too all without a helmet! Call me crazy, I just have a thing about helmets.

As I also stated, This is primarily about setting an example for my daughter. Her helmet is new, she picked it so I know she'll wear it but, if she sees me driving without a helmet she'll ask the obvious question "if you don't wear one why do I have to?" I'm not the "do as I say, not as I do" type & want my daughter to grow up with safety in mind. At the end of the day, it's better to be safe than sorry...

@ anderkart: That's some graphic footage there but, there's one thing I noticed: everytime a kart flipped, it did so as a result of a collision with another kart. As I don't plan to be racing or even driving when there's other karts around, I don't thing I'll end up on my head any time soon

@ sexyvicta: Size was my #1 priority; if the size wasn't listed in the ad I didn't even consider it. This one fits like a glove.

@ ML_TOYS: Now that's a bargain, nice helmet & thanks for taking the focus off me...

 

[augidog]

had a friend, an ex-cop, who said "A bicycle helmet only looks silly until you're on the bike, then it looks just right"...and of course the same premise applies here.

(for plain bicycling i prefer a snowboard helmet, when motorized i use a DOT motorcycle helmet)

good on ya for setting the proper example...if she wants to go helmetless after you get her to 18 alive, that's her choice.

 

[anderkart]

@ anderkart: That's some graphic footage there but, there's one thing I noticed: everytime a kart flipped, it did so as a result of a collision with another kart. As I don't plan to be racing or even driving when there's other karts around, I don't thing I'll end up on my head any time soon

Yep your right, modern racekarts are so dang stable its virtually impossible to roll one unless another kart is somehow involved or you ride into a big bump, rock or some other type of obstacle.

 

[anderkart]

OK, let me rephrase: Generally, I would guess your average kart crash is lower impact than your average bike crash.

But, I guess you prepare for the worst.

I hear ya, and generally speaking your right
I just kinda wanted to point out that not all karts are low-speed yard/fun karts...