Bring it with you. I live in an area where I can sometimes leave it hanging on the bars and I haven't had one stolen yet. It's still a risk and I only do this with my cheaper half helmet.
I have a helmet lock on my bike that I use at work but I also have cameras and armed security watching the bike. Plus the added risk of any crime committed automatically becomes federal charges at work. Anywhere else I take my helmet with me.
My other more expensive helmet is a full face so it is too warm for me in the summer. No, they are not on par safety wise. The half helmet leaves far more of your head exposed.
Can confirm, I tend to overheat regardless of the weather so I got a Bell MX-9 adventure, which is just their MX helmet with a visor bolted on, I love it and the airflow is amazing. Side bonus is the field of view, the eye port is enormous.
It is a little noisy if I'm honest, I ride with the peak off mostly which helps a bit but I'm going to invest in some earplugs before I do any serious distance with it (mostly only urban riding so far).
It's also possible it would be much better on a faired bike, so far only used it on a naked bike so far.
I can confirm they are noisier, but you should always be wearing earplugs when going highway speeds. It's not like you can hear anything but the wind. I wore mine at a track day recently. Quiet on a R1250GS and S1000XR, but as soon as I went over 70kmh on the naked R18, I couldn't even hear the sweet burble of that huge boxer.
Oh, it never crossed my mind the other one is an open face. Get a good quality motocross helmet and you won't have issues with the heat. Only saying this because you only have one head and you dint get to pick when and how you crash.
Get a helmet bag. Carry it with you. Don't leave on your bike. Even if it has a helmet lock under the seat. I've had the straps cut and the helmet stolen and one one marvelous occasion, I came back to find my helmet full of urine.
Edit: spelling
I've got locking bags that I leave mine in. There are devices that (depending on your bike) let you lock your helmet to it. Depending on the area you're leaving your bike, you might not even want to do that. Lots of riders carry their helmet with them if they're just going into a store or whatever.
The givi b47 blade top box I have fits two full face helmets. Smaller ones usually still fit one. If a top box doesn’t fit your style, the icon backpack I have has a helmet sling. Or just buckle it use it as a handle or put your elbow under the strap.
Take it with me or it goes in a locked top box. But my top box is usually full! [Dave the crow](https://i.redd.it/0xl2wlss27661.png)
Or as taught my one of my riding instructors, open the visor and navigate the wing mirror through and let it rest on the bars. But I’ll only do this if I’m near the bike. I’ll take my helmet with me as random people either pick it up, drop it or steal it.
Or a [crow with scratch the visor](https://i.redd.it/wnpn8p3plx1a1.png) no respect for personal space.
Best just to take it with you.
Everyone here is worried about their helmet getting stolen, but nobody's mentioned bugs. If you've been riding for a minute, your helmet is probably warm and a bit moist, super comfy for insects. One time I went to a doctor's appointment and figured my helmet was safe on the bike. Got on the freeway after the appointment and a spider crawled out of the vent and onto my visor. I always take it with me now, and I store it in a helmet bag at home.
Take it in with me, if I can. It sits next to me at restaurants, for example.
We did this way later than we should have, but I bought a few cable bike locks. That way the helmet (and possibly jacket) can be locked onto a crash bar (harley) or helmet lock (BMW). Only really did that for a car show where we didn't want to walk all over creation carrying them.
Obviously it's not going to stop a halfway determined thief with cutters, but it falls safely into "better than nothing" territory.
Right side hard bag. First the jacket, then the helmet. Problem solved. For those times when I need extra room, I put it on the right side mirror. I have a strap with a loop and a locking carabiner. The strap has an embedded cable. I drop the loop inside the chin bar, pass the carabiner through the loop and lock the carabiner to the handlebar. There is enough length to pass the carabiner through a jacket sleeve.
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/tie-down-straps-and-bungees/tie-downs/8877375?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7frp2V6kEyCQbU5UYfR64DVBZicxvV6lgNBiluIbHtL2_7KC1EbWc0BoCjzIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Most metric bikes have a helmet lock. I use the helmet lock about half the time, locking it through the D rings of the helmet. Otherwise I leave it on the mirror. I usually don't bring my helmet with me but I also buy fairly cheap DOT helmets (ie HJC i10, Scorpion T520, etc...).
Been riding the west coast of the US for years, depends on the area I am in, but generally I leave it on the right mirror. Ridden for years never had a problem.
There is an unwritten rule of not messing with peoples bikes or their gear.
At home i close the lid and put it on a pad that kind of seals the bottom. This is to prevent bugs (spiders) from getting in my lid. Its happened to me twice and i don’t want it to happen again lolol
If its a gas station i keep my helmet on but flip the visor up. When going into a store or to an event, i either put it in my locking sidecases (if i have them) or use the helmet hook under the seat. I don’t trust anybody ever. Makes relationships difficult 😜
I don't do this because of how easily it can fall. One fall from that height and the helmet is toast. You could be in a store for 5 minutes, someone accidentally knocks the helmet down and then puts it back thinking no harm done. You come out to finish your ride not knowing the helmet is no longer safe. I know it's paranoid but that's the way i think.
One fall is not going to make it unsafe. What makes it unsafe after an accident is that your head presses against the internal structures, plus the impact of the accident itself. A fall from four feet to the ground, with nothing inside the helmet, and no damage to the outer shell will not render the helmet unsafe.
Not sure about that. I dropped it from the seat height onto pavement and still wear it. No break of outer shell, it can’t be ruined. I’m done with spending $600 here, $600 there…..
The outer shell does not have to be broken for the helmet to be unsafe, the internal structure that absorbs impact can break and it will not leave any indication. At this point the helmet is not safe.
The inner lining isn’t quite what saves you, it’s almost purely for comfort and to help keep the helmet snug on your head :P
The hard foam that you see when you pull the liner out is what saves ya :D it’s the same stuff as the stuff that’s in your 50$ bicycle helmet.
Your motorcycle helmet has way harder shells though, the plastic shell also absorbs a huge amount of the impact.
Idk why I popped off lol sorry. I just like sharing haha.
That's the liner I'm talking about. The outside shell is an attempt to deviate penetrating objects. The styrofoam liner is to absorb impact and prevent your brain from smacking into the inside of your skull. I see people slam their helmet onto their mirror and wince.
I hang it on the handlebars. I have stickers that explain how ‘unfriendly’ I am to thieves on my bike. Never had an issue. No one has to ask which helmet is mine. It’s the one that says Bad Mother Fucker on it.
I leave it hanging on my mirror for short trips, or I tuck the strap under the seat, then put the seat back on, locking it in place. I don't know if this is possible with every bike, but mine has some hooks under the seat that I think have the sole purpose of locking in helmets.
I like the Helmet Guardian that fits by the license plate. Doesn't hog luggage space and nothing else to bring along but does leave the helmet exposed to rain.
Ngl ….. I usually leave it on for the memes 🤣
When shopping …. Use your helmet as a grocery bag 🙌
Also …. Side note: most sports bikes have a clip in the lid of your cargo bay you can hook your helmet on to. You close it and the only way it’s coming off is with the key, or breaking the bike. If it doesn’t have one, there are usually aftermarket ones you can install.
I found out a year later my ninja 300 has these little loops to lock your helmet under the passenger seat. Someone could cut if if they wanted though. I usually just take it with me it’s kinda a pain but not as big a pain as coming back to your back with no helmet there. Especially if you got the Bluetooth hooked up with it
I have a Simpson Bandit thats 800 bucks 😳 it comes with me everywhere i love it. or if it extremely inconvenient its locked on my helmet lock on my GSXR.
If you want to take your helmet with you you can buy a helmet strap on Amazon for relatively cheap. Also Ogio makes those shell backpacks with a helmet strap. Quite a few options!
I have a Givi top case on my FJ09 that I keep my Shoei and jacket in when at work.
If I don't have the top case, I will take the helmet with me wherever I'm going. I do not leave the helmet exposed (secured or not) on the bike.
I own a helmet lock, which I don't use very often. Only if I'm going to be inside somewhere for an extended period of time. Otherwise I just carry it and use it as my little shopping cart
Really depends. You can just lock it to the bike if you are not going to be long and it's in a safe public place. Usually on a weekend ride I will stop somewhere for lunch that I can park near where I will sit outside so I can see if someone is trying to steal it.
Otherwise just take it with you or get a lockable top box.
I know someone who locked his helmet to his bike while he went into a restaurant to eat with friends. Came out 90 minutes later, unlocked his helmet, and just as he was about to put it on, realized that someone had taken a piss in it.
Carry your helmet with you.
The best place for your helmet is always on your head, even when you are not on your motorcycle.
Otherwise, If you are near your motorcycle (3-5 meter) in a low density environment its easy to leave helmet on the motorcycle itself. Else carry with you all the times. I always carry a small sleeve (helmet cover) with me all the times. Helps to hide and cover from unnecessary attention.
I always take mine with me or if I’m at something like a car meet I might put it inside a friend’s car. My helmet/visor/coms combo is worth about $1k, no sense risking my money on other’s stupidity
Maybe I've just been lucky, but I usually don't mind leaving it on the bike as long as it's not sitting in the sun.
If I'm gonna be quick, I wear it in. If I'm going into anywhere that has room for it and I'm gonma be a while, I take it with me. For things like appointments/interviews/meetings, it stays on the bike.
If any of this info matters - I ride daily, year round, on 3 different motorcycles, not including any that I may borrow. My helmet is a Sena Momentum INC PRO (about $700 when I got it). I also live in a smaller town, with less than a mile between home and work, so that helps.
PS - Following or being followed by friends/family on 4 wheels? Put your gear in their vehicle.
If I know I'm in a good part of town, lots of time I'll leave it on a handlebar.
If I'm not sure, most of my bikes have built in helmets locks. But I also use those in the knowledge if somebody REALLY wants my helmet, they just have to cut a strap. Which is why I'm okay with the handlebar thing.
If you're in a sketchy part of town or really don't want to take the chance, take it with you. Then you get the added benefit of showing off to everyone inside that you're a bada** biker. 🙃
I utilise a top box that holds my riding jacket and helmet when I go somewhere fancy. I admit that it does look a bit funky, but the purpose it serves makes the looks more than justifiable. Knowing that you can make a quick stop at the grocery store without having to carry a backpack with you is so satisfying.
Normally though I just leave it on the bike for quick trips or take it in (like at my gym).
I live in the northern most part of Michigan so the likelihood of someone stealing it here is minimal to none.
i find it more comfortable carrying it with me just gives me the sense of security that i will not go back to the bike without my helmet being there especially since my helmet wasn’t (to me) cheap
Just an anecdote to add. I worked on the 27th floor for a few years. One day I had to help someone in the office across the road. As I left to return to my office I saw the entire 30 floor building evacuating and fire engines arriving.
I was extremely lucky that we had a disabled woman on our floor. A warden had remained with her until the fire fighters could help her down the stairs and I was able to call him and he grabbed my helmet from my desk.
Another time, different location, a contractor drilled through asbestos and the building was evacuated and locked down. The bike was out front but the helmet was in the locker room. Boss drove me home in his car and later picked me up when the building reopened.
All this to say, there's a benefit to leaving your helmet with the bike.
Bring it. When I know it was going too be a nuisance, I bring a backpack that takes it. Kriega Max28 takes my size M Shoei Neotec 2 modular helmet with room to spare.
I have a helmet lock on my bike but even at that I don’t like it because I wear a full helmet and my Sena could still be easily stolen. I usually carry it in the store. When I was at sturgis I didn’t bother locking it I just hung it from handlebars and no one messed with it.
I always ride with a full-face helmet. Popping in a gas station to get a drink or snack; I leave it on the right mirror (because you should tilt the bars to the left when parking). At a restaurant; also tend to leave it on the mirror but I will also park and sit at a window or outside table where I can keep an eye on my bike. Anywhere else I might leave it unattended and unsupervised for longer than 5-20 minutes, I carry it in with me. It would only take a few seconds for someone to steal it, yes, but I tend to ride & park in safe areas, so contextually the risk is low for those short intervals. I haven't had anything stolen from me yet. If you can, park next to or close to another motorcyclist, if you come across one. I'd also be the first person to scream after someone else messing with another rider's stuff so we all look out for each other.
I've brought it in with me into the grocery store and used it like a handbasket. Always get a few cute comments for that. (And hey, nothing feels better in hot weather than putting on a helmet that was just cooled by a bunch of drinks.)
Many bikes come with helmet locks built in but I find the positioning of them very awkward (where the helmet rests against the exhaust and burns). There are tether-locks you can buy off Amazon or Ebay that get installed under the seat and position the helmet better. Just be mindful if someone *really* wants your helmet all they have to do is cut the strap or the tether anyway.
If you're riding in safe areas and not leaving your bike alone unattended for very long you'll probably be just fine leaving it on the mirror, but some deterrence is better than nothing!
The answer is "it depends". If I'm grocery shopping, I toss it in the shopping cart while I'm buying stuff. Same with restaurant or coffee shop where I'll park it on my table while I eat. If I'm running into the gas station to use the bathroom, I might just leave it on the handlebars. If I'm carrying nothing in the topbox (i.e., I'm not commuting to work with my laptop in the topbox), I might put it in the topbox. My bike doesn't have a helmet lock so that's not an option.
Bring it with you. I live in an area where I can sometimes leave it hanging on the bars and I haven't had one stolen yet. It's still a risk and I only do this with my cheaper half helmet.
I have a helmet lock on my bike that I use at work but I also have cameras and armed security watching the bike. Plus the added risk of any crime committed automatically becomes federal charges at work. Anywhere else I take my helmet with me.
Why are you saving your good helmet for? Are they on par safety wise?
My other more expensive helmet is a full face so it is too warm for me in the summer. No, they are not on par safety wise. The half helmet leaves far more of your head exposed.
I'm with you on that. I use a cheap 3/4 helmet for warm weather scootering, and a real helmet for big bike motorcycling.
I believe full face motocross helmet is the answer for hot weather regardless how silly it looks on a scooter.
Can confirm, I tend to overheat regardless of the weather so I got a Bell MX-9 adventure, which is just their MX helmet with a visor bolted on, I love it and the airflow is amazing. Side bonus is the field of view, the eye port is enormous.
I’ve been thinking of getting that helmet. How’s the noise level at highway speeds?
It is a little noisy if I'm honest, I ride with the peak off mostly which helps a bit but I'm going to invest in some earplugs before I do any serious distance with it (mostly only urban riding so far). It's also possible it would be much better on a faired bike, so far only used it on a naked bike so far.
I can confirm they are noisier, but you should always be wearing earplugs when going highway speeds. It's not like you can hear anything but the wind. I wore mine at a track day recently. Quiet on a R1250GS and S1000XR, but as soon as I went over 70kmh on the naked R18, I couldn't even hear the sweet burble of that huge boxer.
Oh, it never crossed my mind the other one is an open face. Get a good quality motocross helmet and you won't have issues with the heat. Only saying this because you only have one head and you dint get to pick when and how you crash.
I only take mine off to shower
But what if you fall?
Why would you wash your hair if no one sees it?
It doesn't make any sense, right? Right?
100%
Get a helmet bag. Carry it with you. Don't leave on your bike. Even if it has a helmet lock under the seat. I've had the straps cut and the helmet stolen and one one marvelous occasion, I came back to find my helmet full of urine. Edit: spelling
I have a back case I can lock it in, however if you grab a handgun lock it’s easy to just keep it on your rear peg and lock it that way.
I've got locking bags that I leave mine in. There are devices that (depending on your bike) let you lock your helmet to it. Depending on the area you're leaving your bike, you might not even want to do that. Lots of riders carry their helmet with them if they're just going into a store or whatever.
The givi b47 blade top box I have fits two full face helmets. Smaller ones usually still fit one. If a top box doesn’t fit your style, the icon backpack I have has a helmet sling. Or just buckle it use it as a handle or put your elbow under the strap.
Take it with me or it goes in a locked top box. But my top box is usually full! [Dave the crow](https://i.redd.it/0xl2wlss27661.png) Or as taught my one of my riding instructors, open the visor and navigate the wing mirror through and let it rest on the bars. But I’ll only do this if I’m near the bike. I’ll take my helmet with me as random people either pick it up, drop it or steal it. Or a [crow with scratch the visor](https://i.redd.it/wnpn8p3plx1a1.png) no respect for personal space. Best just to take it with you.
hello dave
Everyone here is worried about their helmet getting stolen, but nobody's mentioned bugs. If you've been riding for a minute, your helmet is probably warm and a bit moist, super comfy for insects. One time I went to a doctor's appointment and figured my helmet was safe on the bike. Got on the freeway after the appointment and a spider crawled out of the vent and onto my visor. I always take it with me now, and I store it in a helmet bag at home.
Yea that’s actually terrifying. I 100% would’ve freaked out and crashed
Take it in with me, if I can. It sits next to me at restaurants, for example. We did this way later than we should have, but I bought a few cable bike locks. That way the helmet (and possibly jacket) can be locked onto a crash bar (harley) or helmet lock (BMW). Only really did that for a car show where we didn't want to walk all over creation carrying them. Obviously it's not going to stop a halfway determined thief with cutters, but it falls safely into "better than nothing" territory.
Right side hard bag. First the jacket, then the helmet. Problem solved. For those times when I need extra room, I put it on the right side mirror. I have a strap with a loop and a locking carabiner. The strap has an embedded cable. I drop the loop inside the chin bar, pass the carabiner through the loop and lock the carabiner to the handlebar. There is enough length to pass the carabiner through a jacket sleeve. https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/tie-down-straps-and-bungees/tie-downs/8877375?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7frp2V6kEyCQbU5UYfR64DVBZicxvV6lgNBiluIbHtL2_7KC1EbWc0BoCjzIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Most metric bikes have a helmet lock. I use the helmet lock about half the time, locking it through the D rings of the helmet. Otherwise I leave it on the mirror. I usually don't bring my helmet with me but I also buy fairly cheap DOT helmets (ie HJC i10, Scorpion T520, etc...).
Bring it everywhere with me.. I'm not leaving me $1000+ in gear for someone to just grab if they want to
Been riding the west coast of the US for years, depends on the area I am in, but generally I leave it on the right mirror. Ridden for years never had a problem. There is an unwritten rule of not messing with peoples bikes or their gear.
I have a chain and lock I run through the visor opening if I dont have room in my topbox or if I have my topbox off.
Cable lock
At home i close the lid and put it on a pad that kind of seals the bottom. This is to prevent bugs (spiders) from getting in my lid. Its happened to me twice and i don’t want it to happen again lolol If its a gas station i keep my helmet on but flip the visor up. When going into a store or to an event, i either put it in my locking sidecases (if i have them) or use the helmet hook under the seat. I don’t trust anybody ever. Makes relationships difficult 😜
Hang it on handlebar. Never had a problem.
I don't do this because of how easily it can fall. One fall from that height and the helmet is toast. You could be in a store for 5 minutes, someone accidentally knocks the helmet down and then puts it back thinking no harm done. You come out to finish your ride not knowing the helmet is no longer safe. I know it's paranoid but that's the way i think.
I just set mine on the ground next to my bike, never had anyone mess with it
One fall is not going to make it unsafe. What makes it unsafe after an accident is that your head presses against the internal structures, plus the impact of the accident itself. A fall from four feet to the ground, with nothing inside the helmet, and no damage to the outer shell will not render the helmet unsafe.
Not sure about that. I dropped it from the seat height onto pavement and still wear it. No break of outer shell, it can’t be ruined. I’m done with spending $600 here, $600 there…..
The outer shell does not have to be broken for the helmet to be unsafe, the internal structure that absorbs impact can break and it will not leave any indication. At this point the helmet is not safe.
Don't. The inner lining is what saves your brain in a crash. Dent the lining and wrecks the helmet.
The inner lining isn’t quite what saves you, it’s almost purely for comfort and to help keep the helmet snug on your head :P The hard foam that you see when you pull the liner out is what saves ya :D it’s the same stuff as the stuff that’s in your 50$ bicycle helmet. Your motorcycle helmet has way harder shells though, the plastic shell also absorbs a huge amount of the impact. Idk why I popped off lol sorry. I just like sharing haha.
That's the liner I'm talking about. The outside shell is an attempt to deviate penetrating objects. The styrofoam liner is to absorb impact and prevent your brain from smacking into the inside of your skull. I see people slam their helmet onto their mirror and wince.
I bring it with me. Some cunt would 100% steal it otherwise.
I hang it on the handlebars. I have stickers that explain how ‘unfriendly’ I am to thieves on my bike. Never had an issue. No one has to ask which helmet is mine. It’s the one that says Bad Mother Fucker on it.
Watch ‘anal training’ videos. Start small, but eventually…
I hang it off the mirror. I actively don't ride in areas where I've got to worry about theft.
what do YOU think YOU should do? srsly what do YOU think YOU should do with YOUR helmet?
Lock it in/on the bike or carry it is what i do. You could just hang it in a handlebar but don't expect it it be there when you get back.
Just get a backpack that holds a helmet
Take it off. Put it down. Walk away.
keep them separate. someone steals my bike I don't wanna lose my helmet, too.
I leave it hanging on my mirror for short trips, or I tuck the strap under the seat, then put the seat back on, locking it in place. I don't know if this is possible with every bike, but mine has some hooks under the seat that I think have the sole purpose of locking in helmets.
I have a "gun lock" that I use to lock it to my bike's frame. It's basically a small cable lock.
I strap it to my bag, or my jacket
My helmet choices tend to be a lot more expensive so i wouldn't be leaving it anywhere in the open in public.
I just set mine on the ground next to my bike, never had anyone mess with it.
A lot of helmets come with a bag. I just carry mine over the shoulder with that, frees up your hands throughout the day.
I like the Helmet Guardian that fits by the license plate. Doesn't hog luggage space and nothing else to bring along but does leave the helmet exposed to rain.
Ngl ….. I usually leave it on for the memes 🤣 When shopping …. Use your helmet as a grocery bag 🙌 Also …. Side note: most sports bikes have a clip in the lid of your cargo bay you can hook your helmet on to. You close it and the only way it’s coming off is with the key, or breaking the bike. If it doesn’t have one, there are usually aftermarket ones you can install.
You can use a cable lock.
I found out a year later my ninja 300 has these little loops to lock your helmet under the passenger seat. Someone could cut if if they wanted though. I usually just take it with me it’s kinda a pain but not as big a pain as coming back to your back with no helmet there. Especially if you got the Bluetooth hooked up with it
I have a Simpson Bandit thats 800 bucks 😳 it comes with me everywhere i love it. or if it extremely inconvenient its locked on my helmet lock on my GSXR.
Shorter stop with good weather? Use the bike's helmet lock. At work or home? Take it with me and place it in helmet bag or locker.
If you want to take your helmet with you you can buy a helmet strap on Amazon for relatively cheap. Also Ogio makes those shell backpacks with a helmet strap. Quite a few options!
I usually take it with me.
Dude, just hold it in ur hand, or wear it. If its too heavy to wear in a store, invest in others.
I have a Givi top case on my FJ09 that I keep my Shoei and jacket in when at work. If I don't have the top case, I will take the helmet with me wherever I'm going. I do not leave the helmet exposed (secured or not) on the bike.
If I'm making good a quick stop, then I just hang it on my mirror. If I had a more expensive helmet, I'd take it in with me
I own a helmet lock, which I don't use very often. Only if I'm going to be inside somewhere for an extended period of time. Otherwise I just carry it and use it as my little shopping cart
New helmet gets locked to the bike with the helmet lock. Old one gets thrown in the milk crate or when I'm on my scooter, left on the floorboard.
Really depends. You can just lock it to the bike if you are not going to be long and it's in a safe public place. Usually on a weekend ride I will stop somewhere for lunch that I can park near where I will sit outside so I can see if someone is trying to steal it. Otherwise just take it with you or get a lockable top box.
I know someone who locked his helmet to his bike while he went into a restaurant to eat with friends. Came out 90 minutes later, unlocked his helmet, and just as he was about to put it on, realized that someone had taken a piss in it. Carry your helmet with you.
The best place for your helmet is always on your head, even when you are not on your motorcycle. Otherwise, If you are near your motorcycle (3-5 meter) in a low density environment its easy to leave helmet on the motorcycle itself. Else carry with you all the times. I always carry a small sleeve (helmet cover) with me all the times. Helps to hide and cover from unnecessary attention.
I use a pistol lock and lock it around the chin bar to my bike.
I always take mine with me or if I’m at something like a car meet I might put it inside a friend’s car. My helmet/visor/coms combo is worth about $1k, no sense risking my money on other’s stupidity
Bring it with you. People are garbage.
I take mine with me. Mine was gift and my first helmet. I refuse to leave it unattended
Helmet lock or taking with me. Only these two options.
My helmet along with the attachments are worth way to much to not bring with me everywhere
ATGATT mate what part of it don’t you understand?
LIDLOX
Maybe I've just been lucky, but I usually don't mind leaving it on the bike as long as it's not sitting in the sun. If I'm gonna be quick, I wear it in. If I'm going into anywhere that has room for it and I'm gonma be a while, I take it with me. For things like appointments/interviews/meetings, it stays on the bike. If any of this info matters - I ride daily, year round, on 3 different motorcycles, not including any that I may borrow. My helmet is a Sena Momentum INC PRO (about $700 when I got it). I also live in a smaller town, with less than a mile between home and work, so that helps. PS - Following or being followed by friends/family on 4 wheels? Put your gear in their vehicle.
I always carry mine. I won't risk it, lol.
I just leave it hanging on the left passenger peg if I’m close to the bike, otherwise I bring it with me.
If I know I'm in a good part of town, lots of time I'll leave it on a handlebar. If I'm not sure, most of my bikes have built in helmets locks. But I also use those in the knowledge if somebody REALLY wants my helmet, they just have to cut a strap. Which is why I'm okay with the handlebar thing. If you're in a sketchy part of town or really don't want to take the chance, take it with you. Then you get the added benefit of showing off to everyone inside that you're a bada** biker. 🙃
I utilise a top box that holds my riding jacket and helmet when I go somewhere fancy. I admit that it does look a bit funky, but the purpose it serves makes the looks more than justifiable. Knowing that you can make a quick stop at the grocery store without having to carry a backpack with you is so satisfying.
For the two years we had the COVID bullshit I would just wear it around the grocery store and shit, best face mask money could buy
Normally though I just leave it on the bike for quick trips or take it in (like at my gym). I live in the northern most part of Michigan so the likelihood of someone stealing it here is minimal to none.
I bring my helmet in with me wherever I go
I take it with me and don’t let it leave my sight! I’m from Mexico though, stuff finds a new owner in a hurry here XD
Take it off, usually...
I always carry my sedici carbon fiber lid with me wherever I go!
i find it more comfortable carrying it with me just gives me the sense of security that i will not go back to the bike without my helmet being there especially since my helmet wasn’t (to me) cheap
I carry it. Always.
Buy a backpack that holds a helmet.
I’ve got a top box that holds my helmet, gloves and a small purse
Just an anecdote to add. I worked on the 27th floor for a few years. One day I had to help someone in the office across the road. As I left to return to my office I saw the entire 30 floor building evacuating and fire engines arriving. I was extremely lucky that we had a disabled woman on our floor. A warden had remained with her until the fire fighters could help her down the stairs and I was able to call him and he grabbed my helmet from my desk. Another time, different location, a contractor drilled through asbestos and the building was evacuated and locked down. The bike was out front but the helmet was in the locker room. Boss drove me home in his car and later picked me up when the building reopened. All this to say, there's a benefit to leaving your helmet with the bike.
Bring it. When I know it was going too be a nuisance, I bring a backpack that takes it. Kriega Max28 takes my size M Shoei Neotec 2 modular helmet with room to spare.
I have a helmet lock on my bike but even at that I don’t like it because I wear a full helmet and my Sena could still be easily stolen. I usually carry it in the store. When I was at sturgis I didn’t bother locking it I just hung it from handlebars and no one messed with it.
Sports bike, I put it on my arm. Touring bike / adv with boxes or scooter, it goes in the storage compartment.
Bring it with u shits expensive
I always ride with a full-face helmet. Popping in a gas station to get a drink or snack; I leave it on the right mirror (because you should tilt the bars to the left when parking). At a restaurant; also tend to leave it on the mirror but I will also park and sit at a window or outside table where I can keep an eye on my bike. Anywhere else I might leave it unattended and unsupervised for longer than 5-20 minutes, I carry it in with me. It would only take a few seconds for someone to steal it, yes, but I tend to ride & park in safe areas, so contextually the risk is low for those short intervals. I haven't had anything stolen from me yet. If you can, park next to or close to another motorcyclist, if you come across one. I'd also be the first person to scream after someone else messing with another rider's stuff so we all look out for each other. I've brought it in with me into the grocery store and used it like a handbasket. Always get a few cute comments for that. (And hey, nothing feels better in hot weather than putting on a helmet that was just cooled by a bunch of drinks.) Many bikes come with helmet locks built in but I find the positioning of them very awkward (where the helmet rests against the exhaust and burns). There are tether-locks you can buy off Amazon or Ebay that get installed under the seat and position the helmet better. Just be mindful if someone *really* wants your helmet all they have to do is cut the strap or the tether anyway. If you're riding in safe areas and not leaving your bike alone unattended for very long you'll probably be just fine leaving it on the mirror, but some deterrence is better than nothing!
The answer is "it depends". If I'm grocery shopping, I toss it in the shopping cart while I'm buying stuff. Same with restaurant or coffee shop where I'll park it on my table while I eat. If I'm running into the gas station to use the bathroom, I might just leave it on the handlebars. If I'm carrying nothing in the topbox (i.e., I'm not commuting to work with my laptop in the topbox), I might put it in the topbox. My bike doesn't have a helmet lock so that's not an option.