One of the most important elements for the safety and physical integrity of a motorbike rider is, without any doubt, the helmet. There is a wide variety of brands and models of motorbike helmets on the market, and although a higher price does not always mean better quality, it’s important to keep this in mind to avoid getting ripped off. That’s why we recommend you don’t let yourself be fooled by unbeatable offers. A helmet must meet the quality regulations and legal and safety requirements of each country.
The proliferation of online sales platforms has broken down control barriers, which is why the sale of fake products is on the rise. And it’s clear that the sellers are least concerned about your safety in the event of an accident.
To be able to identify these fake “bargains”, you should be aware of some details that raise the red flag of possible fraud.
Recently, a premium brand discovered several websites selling helmets of almost all its models at low prices. The problem was the brand claimed not to have manufactured these helmets in their factories. This is a clear case of counterfeiting. However, in this case, it is relatively easy to detect, as the original brand is the main party interested in prosecuting these crimes.
However, there’s a large second-hand market where these fake helmets are easier to sell. For this reason, you should take the time to examine the product properly before purchasing it. Here are some tips:
- Identify and verify the seller and, if possible, get more specific details so you can reach the seller easily in case of any problems.
- Packaging. If the product is new, you should check that the information corresponds to the product purchased: model, colour, size, product serial number and order number. In the second-hand market, it’s more difficult to detect a counterfeit if the original box is missing.
- Manufacturers usually include certain spare parts and other items, such as a cloth bag for transport, replacement visors, some anchors, screws and the user and warranty manuals. These items may not always be available when buying second-hand helmets.
- One of the most important things to check is the serial number. It’s usually located under the padding. This is a label with the name of the inspector who last checked the helmet at the factory before packing, the production date, the serial number and order number.
- Last but not least: common sense and intuition. Run away from dazzling offers that you know cannot be real except by skipping some step in the process of getting the helmet from the factory to your head.
