After purchasing a helmet, one of your primary concerns will be securing your motorcycle helmet from thieves. It has become an alarming issue in different American states.
Today, we will break down some crucial safety measures and explore how to lock a helmet to a motorcycle with proper security procedures which is important for overall biking security.
Continue reading to improve your helmet security.
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How Often Should You Lock Your Helmet on the Bike?
Knowing when and how many times you should lock your helmet on the motorcycle can help prevent them before even happening. Also, understanding theft times will improve your other security measures.
In some cases, thieves can take hours to unlock your helmet from the bike, giving you extra time to take necessary actions. Always check your bike at hour intervals.
What are the Best Times Not to Leave Your Motorcycle Helmet?
Sometimes, extra precautions and security methods might not help you from helmet theft. In these situations, it’s best to take the helmet with you. Especially if your helmet is expensive like Bluetooth installed open faced ones then you have to remain extra aware about your helmet.
1. When You are Leaving for a Long Time
Most of the time, thieves target motorcycles that are parked for a long time. If the ride is inaccessible, they will aim for the helmets and steal them away.
Why take the risk? Take your belonging with you and be 1 parallel universe ahead of the crook. Another benefit is you can rest assured that your helmet is safe with you.
2. Take Your Helmet in the Rainy Days
Weather can be critical because you don’t want to ride wearing a wet helmet. Plus, a damp or moist helmet can be a source of skin fungus that can cause allergies.
And the worst thing will be the foul smell afterward that can make you uncomfortable.
3. Don’t Leave Your Helmet Near Bug Infested Areas
What makes the helmet more uncomfortable to wear? The bug infestation. Many flying bugs can nest in your helmet and possibly cause an infestation.
After every ride, it’s always best to check your helmet carefully and clean it afterward.
4 Best Lock Systems and Places to Secure Your Bike Perfectly
These are some of the best helmet-locking methods you can try to keep your helmet while you are away safely. The below-mentioned strategies will also show you which locks to use.
i. Use a U-lock to Lock Your Helmet in the Passenger Pegs
U-locks are standard and used mainly by bicycle riders for their heavy-duty design. You can find these locks in any regular tool shop or online.
The best part about these locking systems is that they prevent all types of wire cutters. On average, a U-lock can have a cutting resistance of up to 20 tons before splitting.
If a single-bar design doesn’t work for you, purchase a double bar that is more sturdy but lacks versatility like the single-bar ones.
Your helmet connected with the steel-constructed passenger pegs with a U-lock will be perfect for preventing thieves.
ii. Use a Cable to Lock Your Helmet with the Wheels
Locking your helmet in the wheels may seem like one of the most disastrous ideas ever. But before going to the conclusion, let’s consider some points,
- Firstly, motorcycle wheel joints are super strong.
- It takes time and different types of tools to take them apart.
- If thieves try to steal your helmet, they may get noticed by people for taking too long.
- Lastly, most helmet cases happen with wire cutters.
Now, the lock mechanism will also be a pain for burglars. The regular cable lock has flexibility and durability that can withstand enormous pressure at a single point. Plus, you can use the cable lock in multiple areas easily.
What makes cable locks more efficient is the length. After locking your helmet in the wheel, you can place it on top of your bike. Be careful not to set the helmet on the ground because pedestrians might stomp on your helmet and break the visor.
iii. You can Chain Lock Your Helmet on the Motorcycle Body
Chain locks are relatively similar to cable, but the main difference is you will need an extra U-lock or a similar lock to make it work. Almost all chain locks are made of heavy-duty industrial-graded metal, which is rust-proof and prevents regular wire cutters.
You can use the chain lock on the motorcycle’s back body for ultimate protection. You may worry about saw blades because they can cut the chain but does any thief have the time and effort to use a saw?
And an electric saw blade will make 93dB-104dB (more than a regular lawn mower). The noise alone makes it impossible for a thief to steal your helmet.
iv. Use a Pattern Lock and Attach it to the Handle or Mirrors
Honest speaking, we wouldn’t recommend a pattern lock because it’s not that effective against standard cutting tools. But, in many cases, people tried to open pattern locks and got caught.
You can buy separate pattern locks and use them with other locking mechanics to make them more effective.
FAQs
How does a helmet lock work?
A helmet lock is a device that attaches a helmet to the motorcycle and prevents thieves from stealing the helmet. You can use different locks, like,
Number combination: Use a secret comb that only you know and use to unlock the device.
Key-to-open: You use a key to open the lock.
How good is the ETOOK ET480 helmet security lock?
The ETOOK ET480 folding helmet lock has 5-point bar security allowing it to remain strong after many attempts. This lock can also withstand 9 tons of hydraulic pressure from different points. Manufacturers used heat-treated hardened steel, making it sturdy and ware resistant.
All the features and build quality made this lock quite versatile from other helmet security systems.
Who are the actual helmets, thieves?
Most helmet thieves are other riders or other shitty people because used helmets don’t have a suitable secondary market for business. So, most ill-intended people steal helmets because they can’t afford one, to get an accurate size, or scrap it to sell parts.
What are the most active times for helmet theft?
Most stealing incidents happen at night-time and outside pubs. If you usually take rides at night in urban areas, then always double-check after locking your helmet.
Which American state doesn’t have any motorcycle helmet-wearing laws?
The 3 states- Illinois, New Hampshire, and Iowa, don’t have any laws about motorcycle helmets.
The Bottom Line
Helmet theft has become a prior issue for riders. But the correct safety protocols and a drop of awareness can help you prevent this.
We hope that you can protect your belongings by using this information.
Have a safe ride!
Viola is a mountain bike rider who loved to ride on various off-road tracks. In her half a decade of biking experience she always preferred safe rides. In her early riding days, she fall in an accident and after that, she realized how important this safety thing is. Viola starts writing bike safety-related blogs since then so that other bikers can remain safe while riding.