As a first-time motorcycle helmet owner, I was not sure about where to put my helmet when I was not using it. Before placing it somewhere that I would regret later, I decided to investigate how to store a motorcycle helmet properly.

What is the best way to store a motorcycle helmet? Here are a few different ways to store your helmet safely:

Padded helmet bag
Helmet storage rack or helmet hooks
Helmet bay/storage shelf
Helmet storage cabinet
Helmet locker
Portable helmet storage box
Small mannequin head
Store on your bike (not your handlebars)

There are many different options and motorcycle helmet storage ideas you can implement effectively. I will discuss these more in detail later in the article.

What to consider when storing your motorcycle helmet

Before I start discussing each storage method and ideas in detail, you need to consider where and how you are storing your helmet. Proper storage of your helmet is more than simply placing it down on top of any available open space in your home or apartment.

Here is a quick storage checklist for your reference:

Do you want to display your motorcycle helmet as a decoration? For those who have nice, stylish helmets, displaying your helmet on a shelf in your room might be a good idea.
If your helmet is exposed without some type of enclosed protection, it can collect dust or potentially get damaged.
If you use your helmet frequently, it will need to air out so mold does not build up.
How long are you planning to store your helmet? If you put the helmets away in your garage or attic for years without putting it in an airtight container, the interior can disintegrate or become the home to mice and other animals/insects.
Be mindful of storage temperature. You want to make sure your helmet is stored in a climate controlled area where it cannot get damaged. Humidity can cause your helmet to rust.
Be mindful of where you store your helmet. Keep it away from windows as UV rays can cause the paint on your shell to fade and weaken the overall integrity if left in the sun for years. You also do not want to place your helmet in a location where there is a possibility for it to get damaged or stolen.

Motorcycle Helmet Storage

Now let’s do a dive into the best ways to store your motorcycle helmet. They are easy to implement and scale if you have multiple helmets.

Padded Helmet Bag

A padded helmet bag or cloth bag is a perfect way to store your helmet if you tend to use it often. It makes your helmet easy to access and is super convenient for hanging up in your closet. This is a convenient way to store your helmet because it won’t take up a lot of space and it is portable.

You can carry a helmet bag with you pretty much anywhere you go. It’s also a great place to store your glasses and gloves so you don’t lose them.

The Raider helmet bag is pretty durable if you are looking for something to tote and store your helmet on a daily basis. It’s pretty easy to put your helmet in this bag and also retrieve it.

Motorcycle helmet storage rack & helmet hooks

Getting a helmet hanger or helmet rack is one of the easiest ways to store your helmet or multiple helmets. This works great because you can leave it and go. Plus, it allows your helmet to air out while you’re not using it.

A helmet rack and hook is probably the most basic setup you can have to store your motorcycle helmet. You simply fasten it to the wall and it is ready for your helmet.

Why can’t you use a nail to hang your helmet? A nail will damage your helmet. It can destroy the interior padding and also produce rust over time. I recommend spending a few extra dollars to buy a quality helmet hanger like this one to protect the interior integrity of your helmet.

You can purchase helmet hooks as single or double hooks. You can find some really nice professional hooks that look amazing and display your helmet well.

One motorcycle helmet storage idea that works well is using a combination of a helmet hook and motorcycle helmet bag. Simply place your helmet inside your bag for protection then hang it on the hook to conveniently store it.

This storage setup won’t take up much space and will keep your helmet protected from dust. Check out this video which will give you a good idea of what a motorcycle helmet rack in your garage could like and also mentions the materials you need to create one.

Don’t want to install a whole rack? If you only want to install individual helmet hooks, it is very easy to do.

Check out the video below I came across to give you an idea of how to set up your own helmet mounts. Using insulated foam pipe covers will protect the interior lining and padding from the metal hook. This is another easy and cheap way to store your motorcycle helmet.

Motorcycle helmet shelf or helmet bay

An excellent alternative to helmet racks and hangers is to use a helmet bay or shelf. Storing your helmet on a shelf will allow your helmet to air out while conveniently keeping it out of the way until it is time to ride.

What is the difference between a helmet bay and shelf? Helmet bays are shelves that have sides on the edges to prevent your helmet from accidentally sliding off and falling to the ground. This will put your mind at ease by reassuring your helmet remains safe no matter where you place your bay.

Helmet bay

Helmet bays and shelves are large enough to store extra motorcycle gear. You can easily store your gloves and goggles with your helmet.

Some helmet bays also have built-in racks for you to hang your clothes and jackets. You can purchase single helmet bays for one helmet or double helmet bays. There are even larger bays to hold multiple helmets, which has dividers to keep your helmets separated.

Helmet shelf

In regards to helmet shelves, you can either get a free-standing helmet shelf or install a wall shelf. Both are affordable ways to safely store your helmet.

A freestanding shelf does not require you to support it in any way. It takes no more than 10 minutes of assembly time straight out of the box.

These type of shelves are durable enough and large enough to hold multiple helmets and other items. You could easily set up this free-standing shelving unit in your garage or any room in your home.

A wall shelf will require you to install it to your wall. Therefore you will need tools to make sure it remains firmly attached to your wall so it can hold the weight of your helmet.

Even though more time and effort for assembly is required, it is still easy enough to do. Try out these wall shelves for storing your helmet. They are affordable and easy to put up by yourself.

Motorcycle helmet storage cabinet

Maybe you don’t want to see your helmet. Using a cabinet to store your helmet might be exactly what you are looking for. It also better protects your helmet from dust and other possible accidents.

Using a cabinet for storing your motorcycle helmet will help to keep your space organized and provide a cleaner overall appearance. Get this steel cabinet to keep your helmets safe and out of sight. This cabinet is also perfect for storing your glasses and gloves.

Helmet Locker

Instead of a cabinet, you could also get a locker to store your helmet and other motorcycle gear. It can become your designated motorcycle equipment closet. All of your gear can fit in this badass Harley Davidson steel locker that would look great in any garage or room.

Portable helmet storage box or storage case

If you need a durable storage unit that can easily be transported then get a motorcycle helmet storage box. This storage unit has a solid outer shell to keep your helmet protected if it gets jostled around. You can also install this hard case on the tail of your bike.

This storage compartment is also great if you plan to store your helmet for an extended period of time. It creates a tight seal so no animals or insects can enter. This will help to preserve the age and integrity of your helmet until you decide to ride again.

Mannequin head

A unique and fun motorcycle helmet storage idea is to use mannequin heads to hold your helmets. If you have kids they will absolutely love this. Plus it is a great way to to make sure you never lose your helmet and keep it safe.

There is a slight caveat. While this is a great idea, you need to make sure you purchase a small mannequin head for your helmet to fit loosely. If you don’t, the interior of the helmet can become compressed or damaged. It can also and take the shape of the mannequin head over a period of time.

Why is this a problem? If your helmet interior becomes compressed, it will not fit your head as snug as when you first bought it. This would weaken the integrity of your helmet and make it less effective for protecting your head.

If the interior of the helmet forms to the shape of the mannequin head, it will cause the helmet to not fit your head. This becomes an issue because you need your motorcycle helmet to fit tightly so it can effectively protect your head if you ever get in an accident.

If you do end up using this storage option, make sure you get a small mannequin head. This means you need to know the size of your head circumference, which should give you a good idea if your helmet can fit loosely enough on top of the mannequin.

I recommend searching for child mannequin heads in order to find something small enough to hold your helmet. Check out this creepy baby mannequin head, which could be just small enough to loosely store your helmet depending on the size of your head.

The circumference of this baby mannequin head measures 16 inches, which should be perfect for medium to large sized heads. If you have a small head, it may difficult to find a mannequin that is small enough to not alter the interior of your helmet.

Motorcycle Helmet Storage On Bike

How to store a helmet on your motorcycle? Here are a few different ways to do this:

Use a shoulder bag to hold your other helmet while you ride.
Place a rear seat bag on your bike. It is a carrying bag that you can attach to the back of your seat for extra storage
Use a rear seat compartment. It is a hard case that you can attach to the back of your seat.
Use the helmet hook underneath the seat to fasten the D-ring of your helmet securely to your bike.
Use a bungee cargo netting to store your helmet on your motorcycle.

Below is a video that shows you how to use an elastic cargo net to securely store you helmet to your bike. It also explains how to store your helmet to bike by using the helmet hooks located underneath your seat.

How not to store your motorcycle helmet

Now that you know how to store your helmet properly, let’s take a look at how you should not store your helmet. This is good to know to help prevent yourself from storing your helmet in a place that could possibly jeopardize the integrity of your helmet.

Do not hang your helmet over your handlebars. This can damage the interior lining and padding if left hanging there. The weight of the helmet alone can compress the padding. Plus, the helmet can easily slip off the handlebars and fall crashing into the ground.
Do not store your helmet in an attic. The heat accumulated in this area alone can damage your helmet. An attic is also typically a place where you can find animals and insects, which could use your helmet as a home.
Do not set it down next to a gas tank, paint, or cleaning solution. The fumes can react with the helmet material and actually break it down thus weakening the structure of your helmet.
Do not store your helmet near hot pipes, furnaces, or hot water heaters because the heat can actually melt the interior of your helmet. It can actually damage the glues that hold the interior together and degrade the rubber liner.
Do not store your helmet in a cold environment. While cold will not impact your helmet the same way heat does, the foam and padding will make a warm and cozy home for rodents looking to escape the cold winters. Mice will absolutely tear apart the interior of your helmet if they get inside of it.
Do not place your helmet on the ground. It can easily get scratched or dinged, which can degrade the protective layer finish.
Do not place your helmet upside down on a hard surface. You can easily scratch and chip the the shell if you’re not careful.
Do not leave your helmet outside for extended periods of time. Storing your helmet outside uncovered exposes it to the external climate. You cannot control the weather or humidity, which can destroy your helmet.

Benefits of storing your motorcycle helmet indoors

It is very important to store you motorcycle helmet indoors. Here are a few reasons to consider storing your helmet inside as opposed to outdoors.

Preserves the overall integrity of the helmet. It won’t be exposed to outside elements such as weather and debris
Helps to maintain the hygiene of your helmet. Keeping your helmet clean plays a big role in preserving your helmet. Dirt and grime can chew away parts of your helmet over time.
Improves the shelf life of your helmet. Have you ever noticed the difference between a garage-kept car and a car you leave outside all year long? The same goes for your helmet. Keep it indoors so it will look nicer and last longer.
Prevents moisture build up and mildew. It is difficult to control outdoor temperatures. Keeping your helmet inside allows you to regulate temperature and humidity.
Peace of mind. Storing your helmet indoors will reassure you that your helmet is safe and protected. Keeping it outside may expose it to theft not securely locked.

Why you need proper motorcycle helmet storage

Proper motorcycle helmet storage is essential for making sure your helmet protects your head when needed. Keeping your head safe is your number one priority when riding. Your helmet needs to retain its original integrity in order for it to protect your head adequately every time you ride. To keep it working like it is brand new, proper storage is absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, helmets are very expensive so you want to make sure they last as long as possible. Buying a new helmet every year is simply not economical. Keep your money in your wallet and your helmet safe by using some of the storage methods mentioned in this post.