A Few DIY Helmet Locking Solutions from $0 to $3

philipmat

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I wanted two things from my helmet securing solution:
  1. Be cheap, but feasible
  2. Require no extra key beyond the keys I already have.
    Combination-lock solutions seem to either have small numbers that were hard to see, especially in the dark, or they are too large (to accommodate larger rollers).

1. For Zero Dollars (or Zero any other currency at current exchange rates... and math)

This is more of a you get what you paid for and if you have a hot engine it can be a very expensive zero:


This solution uses either of the two seat tabs and has the helmet hang by the D-ring:


Not a bad solution if you have nothing else, the engine is cold, there's no rain, and no squirrels looking to turn your helmet into their winter storage (or bathroom).


2. For roughly $2.26 (but in reality a couple of good hundreds)
Now we're getting somewhere: cable locks for cheap ...anchored to expensive Bumot luggage.

I noticed that the top lock of my Bumot panniers has enough room to allow a cable through, like so:


Bill of goods:
1. 2-foot worth of 3/32 vinyl covered cable: 2 x 0.32 = $0.64
2. A set of 3/32 ferrules: $1.62
3. This one's a bit tricky because to cramp the ferrules you need a swagging tool and that's over $20 unless your Home Depot has one laying around (they probably do), in case tool cost is $0.

If you pre-measured, you can do this in a single visit to Home Depot/Lowe's. It's as easy as 1) cut cable 2) loop through the ferrules 3) cramp the ferrules with the swagging tool.

The cable looks like this, with at least one loop big enough to go through the Bumot hinge:


The looped cable is small enough to go into my jacket pocket.

Fair warning: a 3/32 is thick enough to deter opportunity theft, but not thick enough for a determined thief.

3. For $2.90 (+ tax)
Same concept, but create a loop that uses the seat to lock the helmet in place:


Same bill of goods as #2, but this time uses 4 feet of 3/32 vinyl coated cable.

Bonus: you can always keep the cable safely stowed under the seat when not in use:

Same warning: a 3/32 is thick enough to deter opportunity theft, but not thick enough for a determined thief.

4. Worthy of a menthion because it's also $0 (but also same couple of good hundreds)
Using the Bumot pannier or top case loops and fastening the helmet strap to them.
This is not as much a secure solution but it's a better solution than leaving your helmet on the seat or on the mirrors, particularly on a windy day (don't ask me how I know).
For truly $0, it could also be done using the hand-guards or handlebar, but I don't particularly care for how the helmet hangs.


I can post some instruction on how to make the cables if anybody needs them.
 

Kyle_E

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Some good ideas. Here is another one.

If you have a friend that is into guns. Most makers include a cheap cable lock now days that your friend I'm sure would be happy to give you for free.

Loop it through the back pillion hand holds and just keep it there. NOT high security, but secure enough from some random person walking by thinking free stuff! You could get through it with a leatherman in minute if you had to (guess how I know....).


IMG_20201020_143921781.jpg
 

Kurgan

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I've had many bikes where the factory welded a small steel hook to the frame under the seat to secure the helmet by d-rings.
 

Cycledude

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Thanks for the tips ! I was not aware that you could actually buy those vinyl coated cables in any length you wanted so I definitely will be looking into it and hopefully they will have those cramp on things available as well. Some interesting lock ideas as well but I would have no problem carrying an extra key.
my helmet usually sits on GPS when parked but fortunately that kind of theft seems to be pretty rare around here, I do have a helmet lock from Dennis Kirk for the rare occasion that I feel the need to lock it, the helmet does hang upside down but simply slipping it into a plastic bag has so far always kept it dry. But with the cable Idea I could easily lock the helmet upright over the GPS and also lock my jacket there as well.
 
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RonH

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I like the Safeman lock. Rolls up on the spool plenty small to just stick under the seat while not in use. Long enough cable you can tie down a duffle bag. Like most locks, won't stop the professional thief, but good for most days.
 

Sierra1

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You could go through all this or just buy a gun lock and call it quits. Too say you in a top case well...
Gun locks are pretty steep, but they come with a free gun.* :rolleyes: I do use one when I go to the gym. (gun lock) Definitely not super secure, but works great to prevent thefts of opportunity. Personally, my helmet never gets left on my bike for an assortment of reasons. I do wonder why Yamaha didn't install a helmet lock. My old ass FJ has one. Probably a cost cutting move.

*except in California. :(
 
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moto.monk

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Gun locks are pretty steep, but they come with a free gun. :rolleyes: I do use one when I go to the gym. (gun lock) Definitely not super secure, but works great to prevent thefts of opportunity. Personally, my helmet never gets left on my bike for an assortment of reasons. I do wonder why Yamaha didn't install a helmet lock. My old ass FJ has one. Probably a cost cutting move.
Not in California. When I bought my new gun about 3 months ago. I bought in a gun lock and they told I needed it to buy a new one because I didnt have a receipt for it. I though they was joking and they said or we cant release the gun to you. Well there goes $15 and it's still in its packaging at the moment.
 

Sierra1

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I thought all pistols were sold with gun locks. . . . everywhere. (as long as you don't buy them out of a van in an alley)
 

moto.monk

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I thought all pistols were sold with gun locks. . . . everywhere. (as long as you don't buy them out of a van in an alley)
Same here but it had been a few years since I bought one. Actually I bought a shotgun. I asked the person when this changed and they told me it's been a while. Welcome to California!
 

Kyle_E

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I thought all pistols were sold with gun locks. . . . everywhere. (as long as you don't buy them out of a van in an alley)
Most established brands include them with all guns these days. But there is not a national law requiring them to do so. Some state laws require gnus to have locks with them as monk brings up.
 

moto.monk

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Gun locks are pretty steep, but they come with a free gun.* :rolleyes: I do use one when I go to the gym. (gun lock) Definitely not super secure, but works great to prevent thefts of opportunity. Personally, my helmet never gets left on my bike for an assortment of reasons. I do wonder why Yamaha didn't install a helmet lock. My old ass FJ has one. Probably a cost cutting move.

*except in California. :(
Or marketing to buy the top case which can fit a helmet if you play tetris with it.
 

EricV

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You guys are soooo cute! ;) I haven't owned a helmet with D rings in a decade or more. FWIW, the FJRs didn't have helmet locks either. One solution was to buy a license plate mounted helmet lock or pair. The bonus to that not cheap method was that some of the short keys types of the lock allowed the locks to be re-keyed to the bike key, so no extra key.

I always just used the cable method and locked it with one of the 4 keyed alike locks I used for top box and gear, (standard Home Depot Master aluminum padlocks), so did have one extra key besides the bike key.

The scooter has a hook under the seat, and came with a steel cable. If I just loop the chin strap end on the hook, it's close enough to prevent much access to the strap and keeps the open end of the helmet flat to the bike, so less chance of water intrusion if it should rain while I'm where ever I went for a short time.

Comically, the keyless ignition of the scooter has me carrying more crap than a keyed ignition would. Emergency tool to get the seat open if the fob fails, padlock key, top box key, tag with code for starting the bike w/o the key and a key for the tire repair kit locks on the mud guard.
 

Cycledude

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Wonder how many folks have tried those snap together things that are supposed to replace D rings ? I tried them and after about a week I threw it out, I highly preferred the D rings and rarely have any trouble with them.
 

EricV

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Wonder how many folks have tried those snap together things that are supposed to replace D rings ? I tried them and after about a week I threw it out, I highly preferred the D rings and rarely have any trouble with them.
A lot of helmets come with the latch instead of D rings. Modulars like Schuberth and LS2, etc. I've seen the add on ones and they do look a bit cheesy. The OE latches on some are plastic/metal, metal/metal on others. My older LS2s had plastic/metal latches, but my new LS2 has all metal with a shorter tab. Easy to use, secure, but doesn't give me metal D rings to use for locking the helmet up, so I have to go thru a sewn loop on the strap. If someone is desperate/dumb enough to cut thru a strap, I have insurance. But locking it some way does eliminate the casual theft.
 

Checkswrecks

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I've had many bikes where the factory welded a small steel hook to the frame under the seat to secure the helmet by d-rings.
This is what he is showing in the first photo and I learned my lesson. Left a new high end helmet hanging on the D rings for a couple hours and came back to find just the D-rings. Some thief simply cut the strap so he just had to sew on a new piece with D rings to have my helmet.
 
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