How To Carry Extra Helmet On Motorcycle - A Rider's Guide
Thinking about riding with a friend, or perhaps picking up a new lid for yourself? Carrying an extra helmet on your motorcycle can seem a bit tricky at first, but with a few smart approaches, it's something many riders manage without trouble. It really just takes a little planning, you know, to keep things safe and sound while you're out on the road.
Whether you're heading to a meet-up, doing a quick errand, or just making sure a passenger has proper head protection, figuring out the best way to transport that second helmet is a common thought for those who ride. There are, actually, quite a few ways folks make this work, each with its own good points and things to think about.
We'll go over some popular methods that help riders keep that extra piece of gear secure and out of the way, so you can focus on enjoying the journey. It's almost about finding what feels right for your bike and your kind of riding, you see.
Table of Contents
- Why Bring Along an Extra Helmet?
- What Are the Different Ways to Carry an Extra Helmet on a Motorcycle?
- Are There Specific Gear Items That Help You Carry an Extra Helmet?
- How Do You Keep an Extra Helmet Safe and Secure While Riding?
- Things to Keep in Mind When Carrying an Extra Helmet
- Can You Use a Tank Bag to Carry an Extra Helmet?
- Considerations for Long Trips When Carrying an Extra Helmet
- Choosing the Right Method for Your Ride
Why Bring Along an Extra Helmet?
Sometimes, you just need to bring an extra piece of head protection along for the ride. Perhaps you've got a friend who wants to experience the open road with you, and they don't have their own helmet. Giving them a loaner means they can join in the fun safely, which is pretty important, honestly.
Then there are those times you might be picking up a new helmet from a shop. You've got your old one on, but you need a way to transport the fresh one home without damaging it. This happens quite often, as a matter of fact, and knowing how to carry that new piece of gear well can save you a headache later.
Or maybe you're doing a good deed, helping a fellow rider out by moving their headgear from one spot to another. Whatever the reason, having a solid plan for how to carry an extra helmet on your motorcycle is a really useful skill for any rider to have, you know.
What Are the Different Ways to Carry an Extra Helmet on a Motorcycle?
There are a few main ways people manage to bring along an additional piece of head protection when they ride. Each approach has its own set of things to think about, from how much effort it takes to set up to how secure the item will be. We'll look at the most common options here, so you can get a better sense of what might work for you, basically.
Using a Motorcycle Top Case to carry extra helmet on motorcycle
A top case, sometimes called a top box, is a hard container that attaches to the back of your motorcycle. These are really popular for carrying all sorts of things, and a lot of them are big enough to hold one, sometimes even two, helmets. They offer a great deal of protection from the weather and also from folks trying to take your things, which is a big plus.
Putting a helmet inside a top case means it's out of the wind, out of the rain, and out of sight, which is pretty convenient. You just open it up, put the helmet in, and close it. Many riders find this the easiest and most worry-free way to transport an extra helmet on motorcycle rides, as a matter of fact.
The main thing to think about with a top case is that it adds some size to the back of your bike, and it can change how your motorcycle feels when you're riding, especially at faster speeds or in strong gusts. Still, for a secure and protected way to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle trips, they are a very solid choice, you see.
Securing an extra helmet on motorcycle with a Cargo Net or Bungee Cords
For a quick and often less costly way to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle journeys, many riders turn to cargo nets or bungee cords. These items are pretty simple: you use them to tie down the helmet to your passenger seat or a luggage rack. It's a method that's been around for ages, and it works, more or less, for short trips or when you're just moving the helmet a little ways.
When using a cargo net, you spread it over the helmet and hook the ends to various points on your bike, pulling it tight. Bungee cords work similarly; you loop them around the helmet and attach them to anchor points. The idea is to make sure the helmet is held firmly and won't shift around while you're moving. You want to make sure it's really snug, so it doesn't come loose, which could be a real problem.
The good thing about this method is that cargo nets and bungee cords don't cost much and are easy to store when you're not using them. The less good part is that the helmet is out in the open, so it's exposed to the weather and could get scratched or even taken if you leave your bike for a moment. Plus, you have to be very careful to make sure it's tied down in a way that it won't move or fall off, you know.
Trying a Backpack or Helmet Bag to carry extra helmet on motorcycle
Another common approach for how to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle adventures involves using a backpack or a special helmet bag. Some backpacks are actually designed with enough space to hold a helmet inside, or they have external straps that let you attach it to the outside. A dedicated helmet bag is often shaped to fit a helmet perfectly and might have a soft lining to keep it from getting scuffed.
If you choose to wear a backpack with the helmet inside or strapped on, the weight will be on your back. This can be fine for shorter rides, but for longer stretches, that extra bulk and mass can become uncomfortable. It might also affect your balance a little bit, especially if the helmet is a particularly weighty one, which is something to think about.
Using a helmet bag that you then secure to the bike, perhaps on the passenger seat, is another option. This gives the helmet some protection, and you can tie it down with bungees or a net, much like we discussed before. The benefit here is that the helmet has its own soft covering, helping to keep it looking nice. This method can be pretty handy for those who want to keep their helmet clean and safe from minor bumps, you see.
Are There Specific Gear Items That Help You Carry an Extra Helmet?
Yes, there are definitely some items made just for this purpose, or at least they make the job a lot easier when you need to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle trips. Beyond the general cargo nets and bungee cords, you can find specific types of bags and even specialized racks that are designed to hold helmets securely.
Some companies make what they call "helmet lockers" or small, hard cases that are shaped specifically to fit a helmet and can be locked onto your bike. These are like smaller, more focused versions of a top case, just for the head protection. They offer good safety and weather shielding, and they are usually pretty easy to attach and take off, too.
There are also soft helmet bags that come with straps or clips, allowing you to attach them to a seat or a luggage rack. These bags often have a soft interior to prevent scratches and some padding to cushion the helmet. They might not offer the same level of impact protection as a hard case, but they are very good for keeping dust and rain away, and they are generally light, which is nice. So, you have a few choices, depending on what you value most, you know.
How Do You Keep an Extra Helmet Safe and Secure While Riding?
Keeping that extra piece of head protection safe and sound while you're out on the road is really important. A helmet that's not held firmly can be a danger to you and to others, and it can also get damaged. The goal is to make sure it stays put, no matter how bumpy the road gets or how fast you go, basically.
First off, make sure whatever method you choose, the helmet is truly tight. Give it a good tug and shake to see if it moves. If it wiggles even a little, it's not secure enough. You want it to be as stable as if it were part of the bike itself. This means pulling straps or cords as much as you can without damaging the helmet or your motorcycle, which is a key point.
Also, think about where you place it. If it's on the passenger seat, try to position it so it doesn't block your view or get in the way of your own movement. You also want to keep it from hitting any hot parts of the bike, like the exhaust pipe, which could melt or damage the helmet material. Protecting it from the elements is also a good idea; a rain cover or a bag can help keep it dry and clean, too.
Finally, if you're worried about someone trying to take it when you're stopped, consider using a cable lock. You can thread a small cable lock through the helmet's chin bar and then around a part of your bike's frame. This won't stop a very determined thief, but it will make it much harder for someone to just walk off with it, which is something many riders appreciate, you know.
Things to Keep in Mind When Carrying an Extra Helmet
When you decide to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle rides, there are a few general points that are good to remember, no matter which method you pick. These points can affect your ride, your comfort, and even the safety of your gear. Paying attention to these things can make a real difference in your experience, you see.
One big thing is how the extra mass is spread out on your motorcycle. If you put a heavy item way up high or too far back, it can change how your bike handles, especially when turning or at slower speeds. Try to keep the weight as low and as close to the center of the bike as possible. This helps keep the motorcycle balanced and easier to control, which is pretty important.
Another point is visibility. Make sure that the helmet, or whatever you use to carry it, doesn't block your taillight or turn signals. You need other drivers to be able to see your signals clearly, so they know what you're doing. A helmet sticking out too far can also make your bike wider, so be mindful of that when riding through tight spots or splitting lanes, if that's something you do, basically.
Also, think about how the wind will affect the helmet if it's exposed. A helmet tied to the outside of your bike can act like a sail, catching the wind and creating drag. This can make your bike feel less stable, especially at higher speeds. It might also use a little more fuel, though that's usually a minor point. The main thing is how it feels to you while you're riding, so, you know, try it out carefully first.
Can You Use a Tank Bag to Carry an Extra Helmet?
A tank bag sits on top of your motorcycle's fuel tank, usually held on by magnets or straps. They are super handy for carrying things you need to get to quickly, like your wallet, phone, or a map. But when it comes to carrying an extra helmet on motorcycle trips, a tank bag usually isn't the best fit, honestly.
Most tank bags are not big enough to hold a full-sized helmet inside. Helmets are quite bulky, and a typical tank bag is designed for smaller items. Even if you could somehow squeeze it in, it would likely be a very tight fit, which could damage the helmet's padding or shell, which you definitely don't want to happen.
You might be able to strap a helmet to the outside of some larger tank bags, but this comes with its own set of issues. A helmet sitting on your tank would block your view of the instrument panel, making it hard to see your speed or fuel level. It would also likely get in the way of your arms when you're steering, which is a serious safety concern. So, while tank bags are great for many things, they are generally not the right tool for carrying an extra helmet on motorcycle rides, you know.
Considerations for Long Trips When Carrying an Extra Helmet
Taking an extra piece of head protection on a long ride brings up some different points compared to just a quick trip across town. For longer distances, comfort, how the weather affects things, and being able to get to your items easily become much more important. It's almost like planning for a mini-expedition, in a way.
First, think about your own comfort. If you're wearing a backpack with a helmet inside for hours on end, that extra mass can really start to weigh on your shoulders and back. It might even make you feel more tired. For longer rides, a hard case or a well-secured soft bag on the bike itself is usually a much better choice for your body, you see.
Then there's the weather. On a long journey, you're much more likely to hit rain, dust, or even bugs. If your extra helmet is exposed, it could get pretty dirty or wet, which isn't nice for the person who's going to wear it. Using a waterproof bag or a hard case will keep the helmet clean and dry, ready for use whenever you need it, which is very helpful.
Finally, consider how easy it is to get to the helmet if you need it quickly. If you're stopping often to pick up or drop off your passenger, having the helmet in a spot that's simple to open and close is a real benefit. A top case, for instance, makes this very straightforward. Planning ahead for these things can make your long ride much smoother and more enjoyable, basically.
Choosing the Right Method for Your Ride
Picking the best way to carry an extra helmet on motorcycle trips really comes down to what kind of ride you're doing and what your motorcycle is set up for. There isn't one single "perfect" way that works for everyone, every time. It's more about matching the method to your specific needs and situation, you know.
For short, quick trips where you just need to move a helmet a short distance, a cargo net or even a sturdy backpack might do the trick. They are simple and don't require much fuss. But if you're heading out for a longer journey, or if you plan to carry a passenger often, investing in a top case or side cases could be a much better idea for keeping things secure and protected, which is often worth the initial cost.
Always put safety first. Whatever method you choose, make absolutely sure the helmet is held firmly and won't move around, even when you hit bumps or make sudden stops. A loose helmet can be a real hazard. Taking a little time to secure it properly before you set off will give you peace of mind and help keep everyone safe on the road, you see. It's about finding what feels right for your own riding style, too.
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