Motorcycle helmets are undoubtedly essential to safety when riding. Sometimes, what separates a major or minor injury when riding is just a motorcycle helmet. If a motorcycle helmet is left unprotected, the chances are high that it will get stolen. Therefore, it is important for one to know how to lock a motorcycle helmet.
In answering this question, you can decide to use a motorcycle lock or even a padlock. Whichever way that works, the result is securing the helmet from theft.
Using a motorcycle helmet lock is perhaps the safest way to protect your helmet from theft. You will have to string the rubber-coated cable through the helmet visor.
After the line is passed, the helmet is latched using a padlock or key combination—other options for locking a motorcycle helmet range from the gun lock, bicycle lock and built-in motorcycle lock.
This guide highlights the best possible ways to secure a motorcycle helmet.
What Ways Can You Lock A Motorcycles Helmet To Prevent Stealing?
The most effective way to protect a motorcycle helmet is by locking it on a bike. First, confirm that the padlock fits unto the latch. Handlebars and footpegs are great places to lock a motorcycle helmet to the bike.
Also, helmet locks are another great option for locking the helmet on a bike. Helmet locks are small and lightweight and designed for the sole purpose of locking helmets. They don’t cost much. Helmet locks are usually in the price range of twenty to forty dollars.
Here’s How To Lock A Motorcycle Helmet
Crime is a growing problem in many parts of the world. So, it’s not a surprise when a helmet left unattended on your bike gets stolen. An efficient way to avoid helmet robbery is to know how to lock a motorcycle helmet. Luckily, various options are available for securing a motorcycle helmet in place. Some of the ways are discussed below.
1. Built-In Motorcycle Lock
Most motorcycles come with a built-in lock. The latch may come in a separate key or a buckle fixed under a secured seat. However, these locks are limited to only a D-ring helmet fastener. If the helmet has other fastener styles like the quick-release chin strap, the safety may not work for the helmet.
If you want to lock their helmet using a built-in motorcycle lock, you will need to pass the buckle through the lock and snap it shut. If it is done correctly, a robber will have to damage the helmet before stealing it. No robber would want to use or re-sell a damaged helmet.
2. Padlock
Even though built-In motorcycle helmets are a common feature in bikes, not all bikes have the feature. A padlock is a perfect alternative if the bike lacks the in-built lock. Padlocks are cheap and easy to use.
A padlock easily fits around a suitable part of the bike for fastening. Places such as handlebars, bike frames, and footpegs are perfect for hooking a padlock.
The padlock is relatively easy to use. First, take the helmet’s strap and safeguard it through the lock. Like the in-built lock, thieves will also have to damage the helmet before stealing a helmet secure with a padlock.
3. Motorcycle Helmet Lock
Using a motorcycle helmet lock is probably the best way to prevent helmet theft. The device is specially designed to deter thieves from stealing a motorcycle helmet. As earlier said, the locks come in lightweight, small designs. Most motorcycle helmet locks feature a wire used to secure the helmet.
The lock mechanism may either be a key or number combination. The market has many options for these products, so you can take their time and find the best. Thankfully, the locks aren’t expensive.
The usage of the helmet lock is simple. First, weave the rubber-coated wire through the helmet rear areas and out of the helmet visor.
After the line is out of the brim, it secures the bike frame or other motorcycle parts. After the cable passes successfully, you can lock the helmet using a padlock or key combination.
Unfortunately, helmets with an open visor will not allow helmet locks. Furthermore, the half-face and open-face helmets cannot be secured using this lock. It is so because there’d be no space for the cable to go through.
However, there are other ways to ensure half and open-face helmets. Methods such as using a padlock will work just fine for them.
4. Bicycle Lock
The bicycle lock is another excellent option for securing motorcycle helmets. If you have a bicycle lock lying around, it’s time to use it. Bicycle locks have the advantage of length, making it easier to position the helmet in a clean and dry spot.
Besides, the extended length allows you to safely keep your motorcycle jacket without worrying about falling off or theft.
The process to use a bicycle lock is also straightforward. One would have to weave the wire through the rear ends of the helmet. The line should also pass through the visor.
5. Gun Lock
A gunlock is a cheap alternative to securing a helmet onto the bike, especially for people living in the US. The gunlock option offers an affordable alternative. Many people here have a spare gunlock because every gun in the country has to come with a gunlock.
A gunlock fits nicely around the helmet’s chin compartment. The gunlock can then be attached to the lock frame of the motorcycle. Still, a disadvantage of using a gunlock is that they aren’t very long.
This means, there isn’t just enough space to secure the helmet to the bike. As a result, it may cause the helmet to scratch the paint of the motorcycle.
Why Is It Important To Lock Motorcycle Helmet While Not Wearing It?
The answer is simple- security. Motorcycle helmets are some of the most expensive accessories for a bike. They can sometimes cost as much as 1000 dollars. Custom helmets may even cost more. Locking a motorcycle helmet will help the biker save money on buying a new helmet each time the old one gets stolen.
Furthermore, it is common knowledge that the intent of a helmet is for protection. Most countries also have laws against bikers that don’t wear a helmet.
So, you’ll definitely need a helmet whenever you go out and at some point you’ll have to leave it unattended. In that case, locking your motorcycle helmet is the only effective way to prevent damage and theft.
Tips To Protect Your Helmet From Being Stolen
You can do simple things to prevent their helmet investment from getting stolen. While some riders may prefer to carry their helmets, others will instead lock theirs to the motorcycle handlebar. Below are some simple tips to protect a helmet from theft.
- You can carry a helmet along with yourself whenever you park the bike. Using this method is inconvenient, but it is pretty straightforward and effective.
- Using a helmet lock or any alternatives is the best way to protect a helmet from theft. Gunlock, padlocks, and bicycle locks effectively prevent helmet theft.
- Parking the bike in a designated area is also another way to prevent helmet theft. Parking the bike in a designated area will protect the helmet from a robbery and protect the motorcycle from theft.
Conclusion
Knowing how to lock a motorcycle helmet is essential information for every biker. People that do not want to spend copious amounts of money buying helmets will benefit from the simple tips provided in this article.
Although securing a motorcycle helmet isn’t rocket science, knowing the options that best suit the available helmet is vital while giving the best protection. Available options such as using a bicycle lock, gun lock, or built-in motorcycle lock are best to secure a helmet.