Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: cmorgan47 on July 23, 2008, 10:30:29 AM

Title: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: cmorgan47 on July 23, 2008, 10:30:29 AM
so while fixing my mirrors--again--today, i discovered how the "helmet lock" on the 696 works. 

in the tool kit, there's a little steel braided cable.  so you take the seat off, attach one end of this cable to a clip under the seat, thread it through the D-ring and then the other end is attached to the little clip under the seat, then you reattach the seat.

is this how it is for all monsters?
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Ducatiloo on July 23, 2008, 10:31:27 AM
Yep I got this with my S2R as well
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: arai_speed on July 23, 2008, 10:32:50 AM
Same thing on my S4Rs.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 10:43:39 AM
Personally I have never been impressed with the helmet lock on my S2R which is the same as your 696.

You may consider throwing one of these or something similar in your tank bag.

http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductGroupDisp.aspx?ProductGroupID=4603297

For 20 bucks it's a better quality cable and is long enough to run through the face of my helmet and attach to the bike rather than hang off the d-ring.  If someone wants your helmet cutting the strap is not hard but this makes things substantially more difficult.

* Oh and its long enough that I can pull it through one sleeve of my mesh jacket in case I can't carry it with me for some reason.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: CDawg on July 23, 2008, 10:47:11 AM
Yes, but you should try to loop in throught the chin bar if you wear full face.  It's pretty easy to cut and replace a strap.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: bryant8 on July 23, 2008, 10:48:35 AM
It works great in my toolbox in the garage

I just take my helmet with me when I leave the bike.  As the previous poster said, it's pretty easy to cut a strap
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: cmorgan47 on July 23, 2008, 11:08:39 AM
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 10:43:39 AM
http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductGroupDisp.aspx?ProductGroupID=4603297

thanks,

my dad had one of those, but i couldn't remember what it was called.  wanted to get it so i can lock the jacket up as well



and yeah, the stock solution is pretty lame
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Ducatiloo on July 23, 2008, 11:16:51 AM
yea not at all like the Ducati Tool kit.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: scooby on July 23, 2008, 11:33:52 AM
This is what I use... A dog collar; woof! Works great through the face shield hole.

(http://www.boxer-breed.com/products/Hs-collar/Choke-dog-collar/chain-dog-collar-choke-dog-collar-hs-dog-collar.jpg)
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Goldeneye on July 23, 2008, 11:49:25 AM
Quote from: scooby on July 23, 2008, 11:33:52 AM
This is what I use... A dog collar; woof! Works great through the face shield hole.

(http://www.boxer-breed.com/products/Hs-collar/Choke-dog-collar/chain-dog-collar-choke-dog-collar-hs-dog-collar.jpg)

Great idea scooby!  [thumbsup]

I think I know what the next item I carry in my jacket pocket will be  :)
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 12:55:28 PM
Ha! Thats a pretty good idea...
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: MikeZ on July 23, 2008, 01:01:21 PM
You can get a cable lock pretty cheap at any bike shop and probably find them pretty cheap at stores like Target too.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Bick on July 23, 2008, 01:05:59 PM
Just take your helmet with you.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: CDawg on July 23, 2008, 01:06:09 PM
This is also a pretty cool produce for the helmet/jacket/etc... folks
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Helmet-Bolt-Lock-Kit-p-18969.html
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 02:18:55 PM
Quote from: CDawg on July 23, 2008, 01:06:09 PM
This is also a pretty cool produce for the helmet/jacket/etc... folks
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Helmet-Bolt-Lock-Kit-p-18969.html

Pricey but I like the fact you can have a 6' cable for the jacket.

Bick sometimes you don't want to drag a helmet around for the whole day.  Unless of course one carries it for a status symbol or decoration, I can't think of why one wouldn't want to lose the extra weight.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Alex on July 23, 2008, 02:29:04 PM
I also think the best option here is one of those bar-end helmet lock thingies. You can even put them in the end of your frame after a tail-chop. The only downside is that it's just one more key to carry around...
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: He Man on July 23, 2008, 02:46:35 PM
Someone can still steal your helmet with the oem cable, even if you got a longer one. I found out you can open the stock ducati seat with any key that fits. :/

So im surfing the market for a helmet lock as well, they all seem to have mixed reviews. ideally i want something that can hold 2 helmets, and it has to be able to hold 1 helmet very well since id like to carry that as a passenger helmet for on the go instead of using a fish net.

found htis simple device. read the reviews, it fits 2 helmets too. and around the chin bar

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2000201&productId=2000201&catalogId=10111
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: ODrides on July 23, 2008, 09:51:12 PM
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 02:18:55 PM
...Unless of course one carries it for a status symbol or decoration, I can't think of why one wouldn't want to lose the extra weight.

I need to be able to account for a $500 piece of gear that protects my brain.  I want to know if and when its one hit happens.  After trying to destroy an old helmet I realized how much abuse they can take without showing visible damage.  Also, gasoline fumes degrade the foam in the helmet, so I don't let the two spend much time near each other.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: DCXCV on July 24, 2008, 09:31:50 AM
I have a coiled cable lock like this.  Was about $20, is about 1/2" thick, 6' long and came with a plastic mounting bracket that fits perfectly on the trellis cause I don't always carry a bag and it's too bulky to put in a pocket.  I usually only lock up the jacket (to the trellis) - rather carry the helmet so I can keep an eye on it.  Anything that looks like it could be cut with tin snips doesn't get to lock up something that costs more than $100.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TOD_64-6622&tier2=71 (http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TOD_64-6622&tier2=71)
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on July 24, 2008, 11:58:13 PM
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 02:18:55 PM
Unless of course one carries it for a status symbol or decoration, I can't think of why one wouldn't want to lose the extra weight.

Just think of how much it would suck the *one* time you come back to have it missing.



Or, to those of you who own pickups and know how people love to throw things into the bed......think what they might be doing to your helmet.

I know I'd rather not put on a lid possibly filled with someone else's spit.....
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: CDawg on July 25, 2008, 06:45:36 AM
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 23, 2008, 02:18:55 PM
Unless of course one carries it for a status symbol or decoration, I can't think of why one wouldn't want to lose the extra weight.

Chicks dig bikers!  ;D
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: VeryMetal on July 25, 2008, 07:49:43 AM
My 750 has a little hook the previous owner had welded on under the seat for exactly this purpose. Didn't know Ducati was already doing it, that's interesting.

I prefer to take all my gear with me wherever I'm going. Maybe it's because I grew up in London where you can almost guarantee it won't be there when you come back, or it'll be soaking wet from rain. I just don't trust the general public with my stuff haha.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: ivyjumper on July 25, 2008, 10:16:51 AM
Quote from: ODrides on July 23, 2008, 09:51:12 PM
I need to be able to account for a $500 piece of gear that protects my brain.  I want to know if and when its one hit happens.  After trying to destroy an old helmet I realized how much abuse they can take without showing visible damage.  Also, gasoline fumes degrade the foam in the helmet, so I don't let the two spend much time near each other.
+1
Be really careful locking your helmet to a bike--it can receive an impact in numerous ways that might not be visible when you put it back on.
Title: Re: helmet lock - is this the norm?
Post by: stopintime on July 25, 2008, 01:40:46 PM
Quote from: CDawg on July 23, 2008, 01:06:09 PM
This is also a pretty cool produce for the helmet/jacket/etc... folks
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Helmet-Bolt-Lock-Kit-p-18969.html


No, it's not (IMO) Ordered one and tried the locking mechanism - it's not easy to use AT ALL. It spins and it's hard to know if it's locked or not. You will probably have to carry the cable around and it's stiff. The lock itself is large and heavy too. Plus I couldn't find a good place for it on the bike.
This piece is, so far, one of two items bought online that has never been used.
I sometimes use the stock cable and a small lock, but only when I'm away for a short time and really need both arms.