Does anyone use the helmet hooks on a 6th Generation?

I was curious if anyone actually used the underseat helmet hooks to secure their helmets.
I usually carry my helmet with me, but there are times when it might be handy to not have to carry it around.
For those that do use the hooks, are you at all concerned about damaging the seat mounting apparatus when removing and replacing the seat? It doesn't really feel terribly solid.
I have been considering a cable lock that I could use to secure a jacket as well as a helmet.

 

Yes, but after a while, you'll start to notice little scuffs and very light scratches on the tail section. Similar to what you would see on a tank, from a tank bag. Good luck.

 

Not since I watched a group of charaters use someone else's helmet left locked to the bike as a urinal

 

That would suck. Good thing they did not back one out in it lol.
I use mine all the time. I have to go pick up the Fi Fi and carry the spare helmet there when riding. I covered the duck tail sides with 3M clear plastic sheets. You don't even notice they are there and it protects the bodywork.

 

I use mine all the time when the bike is parked close by, but take it with me if going somewhere indoors for a time, use common sense based on the surroundings.

 

if I don't have the bags on I use it. Otherwise it's in the bags, or with me.

 

just watch out on the pipe side, I burned my lid slightly once.
I have seen charters wizz in helmets left on bikes as well.

 

I never use them. It is far to stiff and awkward to remove the seat to get at the hook. Who ever thought up the location of the key hole is seriously disturbed.

John

 

never used it
years ago I had a classmate have his helmet stolen off the bike, they just cut the strap, left him with just the D-ring and a small piece of strap
this was broad daylight, and not in a bad area

 

Use mine all of the time - both if the stepson or wife are with me

 

What am I doing wrong?

I tried using the helmet hooks on my 2004 today,(In the garage), and the way the helmet has to rest against the body panels seems like a very not good thing.
Based on how it worked for me today, I can't see me using it.
Maybe I'm not doing something correctly, but hooking a D-ring over a piece of wire doesn't seem like it should be that much of a challenge.
Maybe different helmets have different lengths of D-ring straps. I don't really think so, but mine seems to be barely long enough to let the helmet clear the seat.
It's a HJC CL-SP.

 

Guys, check out Motorcycle Gadgets - MG Home. MCN had a write up on a cool thing called Moto-Hanger. Cheap and it looks like it works. I think I am going to get one.

 

Interesting gadget, but it doesn't provide any security that I can see.
It probably has its place, but I don't think it's something I would be using much.
Thanks for posting the link, though. :thumb:

 

you could also try
Jet Age Locking Helmet Holder :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear (looks the best to me)
Helmet Secure :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear
Bar Ender Helmet Locks :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear
Pacsafe Helmet Bag :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear

 

The Jet Age Locking Helmet Holder is impressive. And expensive.

Considering that a cable lock is $10 or less and can handle both a helmet and a Jacket, it sounds better all the time.
About the only time it would be used would be while in a store or restaurant. Possibly during a restroom stop.
It's mostly just to keep the amateurs from walking away with it.
It wouldn't stop the professional thief, but if the pro even was considering a helmet, he would be looking for a Shoei or Arai, not a HJC. :smile:

 

Here in south FL, they steal chit. I use the cable gun lock that came with my Glocks, I have a grab rail on one bike and loop it thru it and run it thru the open eye port of the helmet, then lock it. On the VFR I use a Kryptonite U shaped lock routed under the upper triple clamp then stick the helmet there and cap it off with the bar part of the lock. If you rely on those helmet locks they can simply cut the strap and walk off with your valuable skid lid :smile:

 

I never use the hooks and always carry my helmet with me no matter how much of a PIA it is. Maybe I'm a wimp, but here in the desert it gets really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter. I don't like putting on a hot or cold helmet, so it goes inside with me. Also, the heat here can melt alot of things that you wouldn't think should melt, so I don't take chances on having parts of my helmet melted.

As far as you feeling the seat mechanism doesn't feel terribly solid... huh? I've never felt that way. Once the seat is on, it's on, hooked, connected, not moving, in other words, solid. So, perhaps there is something loose on yours??? IDK....

 

Good call on keeping it out of the sun. not such a huge problem here - we dont get super warm - 90 on a hot day!

But yes I agree, once my helmet is on - its a very tight fit (and with the pads resting against the tail - im not worried about scuffing). Its an even tighter fit with the 8yr old's helmet on it since the straps are shorter, but it's definitely not going anywhere (and would even be tough to get at to cut)

 

Maybe I used a bad choice of words. Actually, flimsy was the first term that came to mind when I was trying to think of a way to describe the feeling. :smile:
With a total of 5 attachment points, the seat is definitely solid when installed, but...
With the seat being somewhat flexible, (When off), and needing to align a couple of attachment points, it just seemed like there was lots of chance to not get the seat correctly placed when reinstalling it. That could be lack of familiarity on my part. (Sometimes referred to as operator error)

I'll check again, but It seemed like constantly rubbing against the panels would cause some finish damage, pads or not. Maybe the 3M clear vinyl mentioned by another member would take care of that.
I wonder if the reason for the tight fit to the seat and body panels might be to make it more difficult for a thief to get to the strap to cut it.

 

My '03 came with this aftermarket lock. Don't know the brand. In person it's pretty unobtrusive- I didn't even notice it until I got the bike home.