How does the helmet holder work?

Hey guys,

I got an '85 VF500F last spring, and it was great, and now it's finally getting warm enough to start riding it again.

But I can't figure out how that helmet holder is supposed to work! If I lock it on the metal buckle on my helmet, the helmet would just sit right on top of the hot muffler... Is there some other way of putting it on there?

Last summer I just didn't use it because I had a place to put my helmet inside at work, but at school there's nowhere to leave it, so it has to stay with the bike while I'm inside. So I'm trying to figure this thing out and I'm stumped!

Is there any way that it actually works?

Thanks,
-Chris

 

Hello fellow V4 rider. The helmet lock is indeed designed to hold the helmet by the buckle, so you have four options:

1. Just put a thick rag over the exhaust where the helmet rests on it. Although the exhaust gets pretty hot, it shouldnt be so hot that it will melt the rag and helmet.

2. Get a helmet lock extender. These add about 2-4 inches, depending on the model, to the lock, allowing you to mount your helmet lower, so it doesnt touch the pipe.

3. Relocate the lock. I'm not sure how it is on your bike, but on my 99 the helmet lock is also used to prevent unlocking the seat lock. However, if your seat lock and helmet lock are independent of each other, try putting the seat lock somewhere that isnt close to the muffler (do you have a twin sided exhaust, though? something I once again am not familiar with. plus this step can be a pain in the as* but still just an idea)

4. Carry your helmet with you, not matter what! Chicks LOVE bikers, and im sure theres a ton of those at your school. Plus showing people youre a biker makes you stand out, and its much easier to make new friends as well as finding other new bikers to ride and hang out with. I take my helmet to class all the time, and im usually a reserved person and sit in the back and mind my own business, but once people see my helmet they tend to talk to me first, which is proving itself to be the ultimate ice breaker.

Hope some of these helped. Trust me on the 4th, no matter how cumbersome it is. If anything, get yourself an ICON tank bag that you can use for school stuff, as well as the built in helmet holder.

 

That's not a bad idea with the rag...
I do carry it around with me most of the time, and yeah, it's pretty cool
BUT sometimes it would still be nice to be able to leave it on my bike in the parking garage.

I'll post a pic later of what thr lock looks like.

 

I just let the helmet sit on the exhaust. Maybe on a super hot day I would worry, but I don't think it's going to melt. I thought it was odd too though.

A 4 into 1 exhaust would solve the problem.

 

Yeah I would really like that, but I can't find any aftermarket exhausts for this thing!