Motorcycle gear is notoriously expensive, but ADV gear is something else entirely. Whether we're talking about a $1,000 set of Mosko Moto bags or a $600 pair of Sidi boots, you'll find plenty of reasons to run to the used ADV gear market for financial relief.
And run you should. Buying used gives you a chance to enjoy top-shelf gear for rock-bottom prices, assuming you know what to look for and what to avoid. We've bought our fair share of used ADV gear over the years, so here's our take on how to get it right.
"About 50% of this kit was secondhand. 100% of it works like new."
Is It Safe to Buy Used Motorcycle Gear?
Buying used motorcycle gear is typically a safe and cost-effective alternative to buying new gear off the shelf, but it depends on several factors. Used gear should be clean, well cared for, and should not have already been involved in a crash.
In other words, ideally used motorcycle gear will be in "like new" condition. That being said, there are certain pieces of gear (like helmets) you should always purchase new for safety reasons. More on that below.
What ADV Gear Is Safe to Buy Used?
Generally speaking, any piece of adventure gear that's built to be long-lasting and hard-wearing is a good candidate to source from the used market. In terms of parts for your motorcycle itself, here are a few we'd highly recommend looking for used:
- Skid plates
- Hand guards
- Crash bars
- Seats
- Footpegs
- Luggage racks
- Hard and/or soft luggage
"Components like skidplates are built to last a lifetime, so there's no real advantage to buying one new if you don't have to."
Most safety and protective gear is also smart to buy used, although some pieces require a little more scrutiny and inspection than others (more on that below). Good motorcycle safety gear we've shopped for used would include:
- Riding jackets
- Riding pants
- Boots
- Gloves
- Goggles
You stand to save a small fortune by buying these essentials secondhand. The downside here is that used gear can't be returned if it proves to be broken or defective, so you'll want to look over certain pieces more carefully for peace of mind.
What Used Gear Should You Inspect Carefully?
"Minor wear and tear is to be expected, but crash damage is a deal breaker."
Getting burnt on one high-dollar item is all it takes to effectively wreck your adventure gear budget. You should walk away from any gear with obvious crash damage, but here are some less subtle used ADV gear red flags to keep an eye out for.
Boots: Look for excessively worn tread, frayed stitching, or damaged lacing/zippers on road boots. For off-road boots, also ensure the exterior hard protection (plastic) isn't brittle or cracking, and that all buckles are present and function smoothly.
Gloves: Used gloves can be hit or miss because they're constantly absorbing sweat and oils from your skin. Used gloves should be in "like new" condition with no visible wear or frayed stitching. We would also avoid buying leather gloves that have already formed to the current owners.
"If you're shopping used gloves, we recommend sticking to a "like new" pair like these Klims we picked up last year."
Wheels: Used wheels should be cleaned and inspected for any cracking or damage beyond the small scratches often caused by tire irons. Keep an eye out for bending around the outer lip, as well as loose or broken spokes on wire-spoked wheels.
Tires: Closely inspect both the inside and outside surfaces of a secondhand tire for plugs and other repairs, as well as any bubbling or damage to the sidewalls or beads. Check the "born on date" on the sidewall to ensure it's less than 5 years old.
Electronics: For aftermarket electronics like GPS units, helmet coms, or SOS devices, make sure they power up, charge, and function as they should. Lithium batteries lose their capacity over time, especially when neglected or left in the heat.
"Lightly used electronics like this Garmin GPS are typically several hundred dollars cheaper than a brand new unit."
What Motorcycle Gear Should You Always Buy New?
The only piece of motorcycle gear that you should absolutely positively always buy new is your helmet. Helmets are only designed to absorb one serious impact, and it's not always clear whether a used helmet has ever been dropped or crashed in.
"Helmets should always be purchased new. No exceptions."
This is because the protective liner of a motorcycle helmet is built with a crushable foam (much like a car's bumper) that doesn't "rebound" after it's compacted. Once the foam deforms, it'll never work as intended again.
How to Inspect Used Motorcycle Gear Before Buying
You should always inspect used motorcycle safety gear before any money exchanges hands. Here's a quick checklist of the things you'll want to verify:
- Crash damage: If there's any clear indication of a crash, like road rash or cracked protectors, just walk away. It's not worth saving a few bucks on a garment with potentially compromised protection.
- Zippers, fasteners: Check that all zippers and fasteners function smoothly and stay closed. Pay particularly close attention to zippers, as any missing teeth can create an unreliable connection that may break open in a slide.
- Waterproofing: Check the condition of any waterproof liners/treatments to ensure they're in good shape and aren't flaking or delaminating. Air bubbles in seam taping typically indicate a garment is no longer watertight.
- Armor: The armored inserts in protective gear usually have a long shelf life, but they do break down over time. Check any armor in your garments to ensure it isn't cracked, crumbling, or brittle. Low-profile "soft" armor should flex easily under pressure without cracking.
- Odors: When used as intended, adventure gear sees a lot of sweat. Body odor is an unfortunate reality, and while a good wash goes a long way, excessive stink may not be worth the time and effort required to clean.
- Missing parts: Verify that all original parts of any gear you buy are present. Even if replacement parts are still available, missing bolts, buckles, and liners can cost a pretty penny to replace.
Where to Buy Used ADV Gear
"FB Marketplace is a much more reliable source of used gear than strange men in the woods wielding motocross boots."
You'll find most used ADV gear on Facebook Marketplace nowadays, but that isn't the only place worth looking. Online forums and owners groups often include "classifieds" for used motorcycle and safety gear as well.
And while we prefer to purchase used gear we can physically see and touch before we buy, reputable platforms like eBay with verified return policies can be worth the "risk" of buying used moto gear sight unseen.
How Much Should You Pay for Used Motorcycle Gear?
How much you pay for a used piece of motorcycle gear depends on just how "used" it is. Truly "like new" items typically retail for around 75% of the current retail price, although older gear that's still in great shape can be had for a lot less.
There's no set amount you should expect to pay, so just shop around to compare prices on similarly used pieces. Remember, the asking price is rarely the final sale price: don't be afraid to haggle (respectfully, of course); the worst they can say is no.
"A good set of soft bags can last for decades. Don't be afraid to buy some that have seen a little dirt."
FAQs About Used ADV Gear:
Is it safe to buy a used motorcycle helmet?
No. Because motorcycle helmets are only designed to absorb a single impact, buying one used is never a smart idea. Previous impacts or drops aren't always immediately obvious from the outside, so it's not worth the risk.
Can you buy used motorcycle boots?
Absolutely. Good motorcycle boots are one of the more expensive pieces of gear you can buy, and also one of the most important. As long as used boots are in good shape (and preferably odor-free), they're always a smart purchase.
How old is too old for motorcycle gear?
There's no age limit on hard parts for your motorcycle itself as long as they're in good shape and function as they should. As for safety gear, try to stick to gear that's less than five years old, as that's often around the time armor can begin to degrade.
Is used motorcycle armor still protective?
Absolutely, so long as its structural integrity is intact. While the previous generation of bulky armor broke down and became brittle after a few seasons, modern flexible "low-profile" armor lasts for years and is built to absorb numerous impacts.
Are used motorcycle tires worth buying?
Buying lightly used tires is a great way to save money as long as you know what to look out for. Inspect tires closely for signs of damage or repair, and avoid buying any tire that's over five years old regardless of condition.
Thanks for reading. We hope you found this useful and wish you the best on your ADV journey. If you have any additional questions, drop us a comment. We reply to every one of them!
→Read More:
Adventure Motorcycle Helmets: The Best of the Best
Adventure Bikes for Beginners That Will Take You Far & Wide
9 Best Dual Sport Motorcycles Of All Time
