Helmets: Tote'em with u or leave in bike?

[Freebooter]

Hello,
When u stop to eat, go in a store for any length if time do you leave ur helmet in ur bike or tote it with you? If I'm just stepping in for a sec or two, like running in to a convenience store I will just leave my helmet on bike or even wear it in. If I'm going to be a while such as a restaurant, or say Walmart I take my helmet with me. I'll just set it and my riding jacket on a chair next to me or in my buggy at walmart, etc. At least in Spring and Summer I NEVER leave it on bike.

Reason is, in Spring and Summertime here in central Alabama those mean, snoopy, stalking ass Red Wasps are everywhere! I have found them in my helmet and even in my jacket. I got stung by a Bumblebee onetime after leaving my jacket n stuff on bike. I put my helmet on onetime a a big fat Red Wasp was in it. I snatched it off and luckily wasn't stung. So I now take my helmet in with me almost always.
FB

 

[terrysig]

For a ride that has many stops I put on the topcase and leave it empty. Helmet goes in topcase. Jacket and over pants go in sidecases.

 

[EricV]

It varies by trip and location. My current go to helmet is pretty ratty now, so I don't worry about theft, but on trips if I can't see the bike from where I'm sitting in a restaurant, I lock it to the bike with a short cable. My LS2 helmet has a quick ratchet instead of D rings, so I had to find a cable that fit thru the M buckle. Turned out to be for a bicycle, with one end of the cable intended to be bolted to the bike. (I suppose I could use it that way too, bolted under the seat and just pull it out for use.). The flat fitting for the bold slips thru easily and the hole fits a small padlock.

Most of the time I just take the gear in with me. If I have an empty pannier and will be walking around a lot, I'll stuff my jacket and sometimes pants in there. I only wear LD shorts under my riding pants, so if I'm going to shuck the riding pants, I have to put something else on, which is usually more of a hassle than it's worth. I have too much stuff in my jacket to just leave it on the bike, even locked to it with a cable. And the jacket cost too much to allow it to be stolen.

In regards to insects, BTDT too, so I always check before putting it on. Usually just shake the jacket out if I've been in a friends driveway and tossed it over the windscreen while visiting.

 

[KendallT]

Because I'm lazy... I always hang it in the foot peg and have never had it messed with. Now, 'cause I said that... it'll probably get nicked.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Going quick inside I carry it unless paying for gas and I can see the bike. Otherwise the helmet goes into the top box or gets locked up with a bicycle cable. I've seen too many commuters come back to helmets half full of water to leave it on the bike while I am at work.


30 years ago I'd lock the D-ring. That ended when somebody got my brand new high-end helmet by simply cutting the strap. (They had to sew in new D-rings and probably sold the thing.)

 

[JRE]

Most of the time, I tote it. Most helmets aren't cheap so should be treated as on object of desire for thieves, vandals, or urban utes who I could taking and or doing something to the helmet just for fun. The exceptions are if I have the top case on the bike and it's not too hot/parked in the shade, I'll stick it in there, or I may leave it if I will be in a position to keep an eye on it while away from the bike..

Leaving it out in the hot sun, on a mirror, or even on the tank (fumes) can damage the helmet.

 

[hojo in sc]

Either locked on my head or in my topbox, never left out in easy reach of sticky fingers...I've heard of too many riders that went in to the bathroom at a gas station and have their helmet stolen.

 

[Juan]

I rarely leave anything unattended - just a precaution. One helmet fits in the top case. If it's 2 helmets I use a wire rope with key (the ones they tie bicycles with). I also tie jackets with wire rope - I thread the rope through the sleeves.

 

[neilbarnwell]

It varies. My topbox is always on and full of stuff (first-aid kit, drink and nibbles, jumper, disc lock, etc etc) so if I can get away with it, I'll keep it on. If not, or that would be inconvenient (i.e. going somewhere to eat) then if I have an empty pannier it goes in there, failing that it gets locked to my bike with a simple combination lock, failing that I just take it in with me and find somewhere to stash it while I eat.

The combination lock is as sturdy as they get (i.e. not much, but enough). I wouldn't leave it locked to the bike all day in a big city, but at a bike meet, or while eating in a diner where I can see the bike through the window, it's enough.

 

[Arkyrider]

If I can see the bike, I will leave my helmet/jacket on the bike. Can't see it, I'll attach my helmet to the bike with bicycle cable, or carry it with me, and my jacket goes in a locked saddlebag.

 

[JimmyP]

I lock the helmet to the back shelf with a cable style gun lock -- plus, that way they know the gun is not locked. ;D

 

[Shovelhead]

I lock the helmet to the back shelf with a cable style gun lock -- plus, that way they know the gun is not locked. ;D

I like the way you think. ::008::

 

[VRODE]

I will leave it on the bike helmet lock if I'm going to be in and out of a store or something. Otherwise it comes with me. And I usually always take it with me if it's really hot (or cold) out.

 

[Kwatters]

I use a gun lock through my Altrider bars on the side of the bike. Run it through the face and not the strap so it would be harder to take.

 

[TXTenere]

I always run with the top case on, so the helmet goes in there if I stop and the bike will be out of my sight.

Between boots, pants, jacket, and helmet, I suspect most of us are riding wearing $1000 - $4000 worth of gear. Too high of value to leave anything unsecured.

 

[Brick]

Sometime I lock it on my http://www.helmetguardian.com/ and sometimes I carry it in... all depends on the location.

YMMV! ::017::

 

[2112]

I always lock mine in the top box, even when filling up with fuel.

 

[Stridey]

I use one of these for short day time stays;- This is the earlier Mk1 but the Mk2 is similar with a round number combination barrel and one or two other small detail changes but fundamentally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGE4-ZnR-Tg

Latest Mk2 location to buy in US see here;- http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/helmetlok-ii-helmet-lock

Small light and lock through the D ring on the strap or if the other time they make an adapter.

 

[Mikeybikey57]

Lock mine and everything else that i don't want to lug around in here.

 

[WenWa]

Latest Mk2 location to buy in US see here;- http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/helmetlok-ii-helmet-lock

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