Do you like carrying your helmet with you at all times? If you’re a beginner, you probably enjoy showing it around, but the thrill will go away after a week or two.
Before you know it, you’ll find this tiresome and looking for ways to store it on your bike somehow. Bringing helmets inside restaurants or grocery stores is boring especially if yours is heavy and bulky.
Continue reading to learn what to do with your motorcycle helmet when parked. We’ll discuss some of the ways of securing it to your bike as well as the pros and cons of carrying or leaving it.
There Are a Few Helmet Options When Parked
There are several things you can do when you park the bike. Choosing one of the methods depends on whether you want to bring it with you or leave it on the vehicle.
Carry it With You
This one gives you peace of mind since you’re certain it won’t be stolen or tampered with. It might not always be the most convenient option, but in most cases, it’s the most secure one.
The convenience of the method depends on where you’re going as well as how heavy and bulky is the model of your choice.
Put it in a Backpack
You can use your hiking backpack for this purpose or get an actual helmet backpack. It’s a specially made bag for easier carrying which gives you more freedom and convenience. Plus, you get more space in your backpack for stuff like water, lunch and other essential items.
Use a Helmet Lock
Locks are probably the most popular way of ensuring security when parked. These come in different shapes and styles, so you can choose the one that suits you the most. It’s a convenient way of securing this piece of your gear although you have to make sure the lock is always with you.
Leave it Unlocked on Your Bike
Leaving it on your bike unlocked and unprotected will result in a catastrophe sooner than later. Unless you’re sticking close to your parked bike, you might not find the helmet where you left it. Still, it might not be so bad if you’re parking in a safe area and returning to the vehicle quickly.
Can It Still Be Stolen if Locked to a Motorcycle
Sadly, yes. It isn’t 100% secure even when it’s locked. It’s rather simple to cut the strap or remove a particular part of your bike given that the thief has the right tools and plenty of time.
This means you shouldn’t leave it outside for way too long, even if it’s locked. If you don’t mind leaving the vehicle outside overnight, at least bring the helmet inside with you. It’s unlikely someone will steal your motorcycle, but all the gear left on is an easy target.
Locks are a great way of ensuring security when you’re running some errands or having lunch at a restaurant. It might push the thieves away from even trying when they see it’s locked. However, as we said, a person with the right tools and some time at hand will probably walk away with your helmet.
Pros of Keeping the Helmet with You
Carrying it with you at all times is probably the best way of keeping it safe. You have your eyes on it all the time, and it’s unlikely someone will try to snatch it from your hands.
It gives you a piece of mind, especially if yours is an expensive model. If it’s worth a lot of money and looks new, you’ll probably always wonder whether it’s where you left it or not, unless you carry it with you.
This is a good idea for when you find yourself in a sketchy neighborhood where your bike might be tempered with. It might not be the easiest method, but it’s probably the most secure one especially when you’re unsure about how long you’ll be away from the vehicle.
Drawbacks of Carrying It
This part is somewhat obvious since carrying it isn’t always as simple as it seems. It depends on how heavy and bulky it is, as well as on where you’re going. You’ll most likely dislike carrying it especially if it’s heavy.
Trying to do some shopping while holding a helmet in hands is nearly impossible. In most cases, you’ll have to leave it sitting somewhere in case you want to use both hands.
Pros of Leaving the Helmet with the Bike
If you leave it on your bike, you’ll have your hands free. In most cases, this is more convenient especially if it’s heavy, bulky and difficult to carry around.
In case you’re going for lunch, you probably won’t have issues placing the helmet on a chair next to you. Still, shopping for clothes or running some errands are tricky since you have to hold it at all times. More so, you’ll find it tiresome and annoying.
Leaving it on a motorcycle gives you more comfort and convenience as a whole, but that’s only when it’s well secured. You’ll have the hands free to enjoy whatever activity or finish it more quickly.
Drawbacks of Leaving It
If you leave it on your bike, you’ll have your hands free. In most cases, this is more convenient especially if it’s heavy, bulky and difficult to carry around.
In case you’re going for lunch, you probably won’t have issues placing the helmet on a chair next to you. Still, shopping for clothes or running some errands are tricky since you have to hold it at all times. More so, you’ll find it tiresome and annoying.
Leaving it on a motorcycle gives you more comfort and convenience as a whole, but that’s only when it’s well secured. You’ll have the hands free to enjoy whatever activity or finish it more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take it on a plane?
It’s unlikely that you should have any issues regarding your helmet on a plane. It’s best that you treat it as one of your carry-on bags just so it’s always with you.
If you carry it as a personal item, you’ll be able to carry it with you instead of leaving it with the rest of your stuff. Suitcases get lost all the time, and you don’t want that to happen in this case.
It might not be so convenient since it most probably won’t fit under your seat. Still, you can always place it in the overhead storage.
Security will scan it much as they do with all of your stuff, but you shouldn’t have any issues. Of course, make sure to put it in a motorcycle bag or a backpack.
Can you park strategically, so it isn’t stolen?
If carrying or locking it isn’t an option, you should carefully consider where you’ll park. Since you have to leave the helmet make sure to park where it’s less likely someone will steal it.
It can get stolen at any time regardless of the place, but some places are sketchier than others. For example, if you must leave it on your bike, park in a well-lit area or somewhere you can keep an eye on it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several things you can do when you park the bike. Some methods are more secure than others, but it all depends on where you’re going and parking.
If you’re just grabbing something from a store for five minutes, you probably don’t have to stress about leaving the helmet. However, it’s better you either lock it or bring it along when you know you’ll be away for hours.
Also, think about convenience and your peace of mind. Think about how hard it will be to carry it around where you’re going, but also whether you’d be able to relax if you leave it on the motorcycle.
