what to do with a motorcycle helmet when parked

1. Where to put your motorcycle helmet when parked September 21, 2023 by @bodycaretools When a rider’s destination is their home, they can easily take their helmet off and leave it at its designated spot. However, what to do with a motorcycle helmet when parked at other spots? Often enough we use our motorcycles to reach our workplace, restaurants, parks, or hotels. Such places do not have any spots dedicated to proper helmet storage. Motorcyclists are thus, presented with two options – carrying it with them or placing it on their bike. Which method is safer? How can you carry your motorcycle helmet properly? How can you keep it on your parked bike? As usual, we are ready to answer all your questions. All you need to do is stick around till the end! Carrying your motorcycle helmet Certain situations demand for the motorcycle helmet to be carried by the wearer. For example, when your motorcycle is parked in a location where criminal activities are common, it is best to have it around with you. This will reduce the chances of it getting stolen or damaged by individuals. When you intend to be gone for a long time after parking, make sure you are carrying your helmet. At such a time, keeping it on your bike can expose it to several harmful factors. Even in a safe neighborhood, the helmet will have to clash with environmental damage. UV rays, rain, snow, dust, debris, etc. can cause the material to lose its protective properties. An expensive helmet should also be in the rider’s possession. This will allow you to make sure that it is kept away from things that might lead to its deterioration. The owner does not have to worry and can concentrate on other tasks. Nevertheless, carrying a weighty helmet around is rather burdensome. With one of your hands occupied, you cannot carry out most tasks properly. Besides that, you also need to make sure that the helmet doesn’t collide with walls or fall from your hand. If any impact is caused to the outer shell due to collision with hard surfaces, you will need to replace it with a new one. How to safely carry your motorcycle helmet The safest way of carrying your motorcycle helmet is by putting it in a backpack. Your hands will be kept free and it is much less likely to collide with any surfaces. Chances of catching dust decrease and you do not have to worry about where you should keep it while sitting down.

2. When you keep a helmet in your bag, you need to avoid putting too many things alongside it. You do not want other items to be able to penetrate through your helmet’s material or alter its fit in any way. Some motorcycle helmets can also be hooked onto the straps of a backpack. While doing so, you need to make sure the helmet paint does not get scratched due to the zipper or any other parts. If you use a hook, you also need to make sure it does not cause any dents or penetrate the inner lining or pads. Leaving your helmet with the parked motorcycle When you are making a small stop that is only going to take a minute or two, you can leave your helmet on the motorcycle. For example, when you park in front of a store to purchase a bottle of water, you can simply leave the helmet hanging on your mirror. While being part of a group ride, a rider can also leave their motorcycle helmet with their bike. This is because, a lot more people will have their eyes on it and thus, it is a lot less likely to get stolen. If a helmet is hung on the bike, the rider has their hands free. They can pay full attention while engaging in other tasks, eating, writing, working, etc. Leaving your helmet on the bike brings several drawbacks though. The helmet is left exposed to all weather elements. On a sunny day, UV rays can cause photo-oxidate damage to the outer shell whereas, on rainy or snowy days, the moisture causes damage to linings. A helmet that is left outside also attracts insects. Many times riders will put the helmet on to discover cockroaches or other insects crawling on the insides. Possibilities of getting a helmet stolen also increases when you are leaving it outside. This, however, can be avoided by taking some necessary steps. How to safely leave your motorcycle helmet There are several ways to store a motorcycle helmet and guarantee that it does not get stolen. Using panniers and top boxes is one the most common way of storing a motorcycle helmet. You can simply place the helmet in, shut the top lid, and have your helmet secured. Cargo nets can also be used to store your helmet when parked. They are made of braided elastic cords which hold the helmet in place when stretched out. Two hooks are attached at the end which can be joined together to hold the helmet. Helmet carrier straps or elastic carrier straps can be used to securely leave a helmet on the motorcycle. They are manufactured out of nylon or elastic and come with D – rings or hooks   

3. attached to the end. Elastic carrier straps are safer as they are less likely to let the helmet slip out. Motorcycle helmets that come with a hook under the rear seat provide a safe storage option. You can simply hook up the chin strap with the D – ring and then let the helmet rest on the back. Your motorcycle helmet’s strap can be tied around abackrest or a sissy bar to hold the helmet. Tail bags or saddlebags are also great options for carrying your helmet. All you need to do is place it in and shut the mouth by zipping it off. While doing all these, make sure the helmet is not kept next to anything that could scratch off its paint. If you want to read further about storing a helmet, check this out.    Locking your motorcycle helmet to your bike A helmet can be locked onto a motorcycle by several methods. Helmet locks, gun locks, and cable locks are also feasible options.When you are making long stops or using an expensive helmet, it is best to develop a habit of locking your motorcycle helmet. While locking the motorcycle helmet to a part of the bile, make sure the helmet does not move around. A helmet that swings around can scratch off the paint from your motorcycle’s body. The outer shell can also get damaged when it faces collision force. One big misconception is that a locked helmet will not get stolen. This is not true. Thieves are crafty and they will either snip of your helmet’s strap or remove the part of the motorcycle it is attached to. A locked helmet is not kept protected. Insects and dust can get onto it and cause damage. It is also subject to UV damage and sudden precipitation will dampen the interior linings and paddings. Parking your motorcycle in the right way To be honest, there is no safe spot for parking. Every parking location holds the possibility of having your helmet stolen. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to minimize the risks. If your destination was a store or a restaurant, park your motorcycle in a way that makes it visible from the inside. This will allow you to keep an eye out for your helmet and make sure it doesn’t get stolen. Other customers in the shop or employees might also notice if something goes wrong. During the night, you should park your bike in a place where there is light. This will allow you to see it from afar and bear witness if something goes wrong. A parking spot with CCTV cameras is the best possible option for parking. That way, when your helmet gets stolen, you can simply call the police and have them identify who did it.

4. Carrying your motorcycle helmet in a restaurant Not all bars or restaurants have ideal parking spots where you can safely keep your motorcycle helmet and bike. Hence, it is best to carry your helmet in with you. But how do you keep it from being a disturbance throughout your eating time? To begin with, if you are eating or drinking alone, you can always leave the helmet on an empty seat next to you. When joined by friends or family, the helmet can also be securely placed under the chair or table. Be careful with the placement as you do not want anyone to kick it around. If a booth or table is available, you can also place it on the top as long as it doesn’t hinder anyone else. You should also make sure that the helmet is kept away from food and water. Some restaurants come with a room or rack dedicated for hanging coats. If there is space available, try hanging up your helmet on the hook using the vent that is left open for your eyes. While doing this take extra care about making sure that the hook doesn’t poke the paddings or linings. FAQs Is it bad to drop a motorcycle helmet? Yes, dropping a motorcycle helmet from a height will cause damage to its EPS lining. When the helmet experiences a fall, the EPS lining absorbs the energy. Next time, in a crash, it will be unable to provide your head with the impact resistance it was supposed to. Can you take a helmet on a plane? Yes, a motorcycle helmet can be carried along with a passenger like their carry-ons. Putting it with your luggage is not ideal though as it might experience force or even get lost. Can you store helmets in the garage? Many people store their helmets in the garage. However, this way, it is more likely to be in contact with insects or animals like mice. If you have a locker or drawer of some sort, you can try putting your helmet within them and then storing it in the garage. Do full face helmets expire? Yes, full face helmets expire three to five years from the manufacturing date. The materials used to make the helmet degrades with time and after a certain period, the helmet loses its protectivity.

5. If your helmet has expired, here are some of the best full face motorcycle helmets under 500 dollars for you to try. Conclusion Hopefully, our little guide has helped you figure out what to do with a motorcycle helmet when parked. Determine which method seems to be the best for your motorcycle helmet and store it safely. Be sure not to scrape off any paint or inflict any other damage on the helmet. Have a safe ride! Related Articles Benefits of wearing a motorcycle helmet What is the safest motorcycle helmet