Your motorcycle helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you own. It is your first line of defense against serious injury if you are involved in an accident, so you need to make sure you treat it with care. Most helmets will last up to five or seven years, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to everyday wear and tear. So, what can you do to protect your helmet when it’s not on your head?
Use this motorcycle helmet storage guide to keep your helmet in mint condition for years on end.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire? Learn More Here
1. Keep It Secure
Your first concern will likely be security, especially if you ride your motorcycle to work daily or live in an urban area. The helmet should be kept in a secure, preferably sealed location where it can’t be stolen. Some riders will strap their helmet to their motorcycle, but we recommend finding a more secure place to leave your helmet.
Some helmets and bikes come with locks that allow you to secure the helmet to the motorcycle when it’s not in use. If you can’t lock up the helmet when you’re on the go, it’s best to keep it on your person or in a secure area like your office or employee locker. When you’re at home, keep the helmet inside your home or in a locked case.
Avoid leaving your helmet out on the table or an elevated surface where it could fall. A hard drop could damage the helmet beyond repair. If the helmet falls and appears damaged in any way, it should be replaced right away. Most helmets are made with expanded polystyrene liners (EPS) that compact during a collision. Once they are squished, they can’t expand. Even a minor fall could damage the EPS, which will make the helmet less safe.
2. Keep It Out of the Sun
Motorcycle helmets are made to be used outdoors, but you shouldn’t leave yours out in the sun. Too much exposure to UV rays will damage the protective materials and cause the color to fade. The helmet will also get hot, which can throw off your body temperature. This will cause you to sweat more while riding, which will wear away the inner padding.
3. Store Your Helmet in a Dry and Cool Space
The helmet should also be kept in a dry, cool location, ideally at room temperature. Certain materials will expand or contract in heat, which will change the fit of the helmet. Moisture will also damage the inner components and may even lead to the spread of mold. Keep water out of your helmet by keeping it in a waterproof storage container. If you live in a flood-prone area, keep it up high or on the second level where it won’t get wet.
4. Don’t Forget About Helmet Accessories
Your motorcycle helmet accessories deserve special care and attention as well, including your helmet visor, GoPro camera and Bluetooth helmet headset. Some devices may even be just as valuable as the helmet itself, so make sure you keep it out of harm’s way. If you use a helmet communication device to sync up with your companions on the road, keep it attached to the helmet so it doesn’t get lost.
For example, the Cardo Packtalk Edge is designed to withstand wear and tear. It comes with a secure magnetic mount that will stay firmly attached to the helmet at all times for more peace of mind.
Stay Connected with the Cardo Packtalk Edge
This equipment is also a valuable safety tool. You can use the headset to wirelessly connect to your phone or GPS device while riding so you don’t have to pull over to the side of the road. If you get in an accident, just speak into the headset to call for help without physically reaching for your device.
The headset also uses JBL helmet speakers for a better listening experience. Keep the device in an air-tight storage container along with your helmet to protect it from dust and other debris that can slip between the cracks.
Your motorcycle helmet deserves the best! Use these storage tips to make sure your helmet will last the test of time and don’t forget to replace your helmet once it expires.
