Traveling w a Helmet

[1.21GW]

I'm renting a bike as part of a vacation.  It will be 4 days/3 nights on the bike.  They provide helmets if needed but recommend you bring your own.

I'd like to bring my own for fit and sanitation reasons.  However, I always prefer to travel light and the idea of having to lug a helmet through the airport, customs, and around during my travels seems cumbersome.



What have been your experiences traveling with a bike helmet?  Carry-on the plane?  Pack in checked bagged?  Or do you not bring one and just rent?  General opinions welcome.

[duccarlos]

Checked bag, but only because I was already traveling with the family and had a duffel bag.

[d3vi@nt]

I opt for carry-on as a personal item. If I had hard cases, I might be inclined to check it. Otherwise I'd be worried about damage to the helmet in soft luggage.  With checked, there's always a chance of theft or the possibility your bag is lost or arrives a few days later than you. In that case, you could still rent or buy new if price/availability is acceptable...

[abby normal]

I took a trip to England including a week on the IOM.  I carried
A helmet in a padded helmet bag for the entire 3 weeks.  Not
A laugh riot, but better than borrowing something.  Carried it
On all flights and trains ... A little nervous about letting it
of my sight.  I also shipped
Leathers there and back.  That's a different story altogether.

[Howie]

Carry on, you can fill the space where your helmet would be with socks & stuff.  You can borrow my Bell helmet bag with good padding and extra storage.

[1.21GW]

All good replies. Looks like I'll carry it on. I didn't even think about the risk of lost baggage, so that confirms it.

Thanks for the bag offer, Howie.  I think I might get my own since hopefully this trip will be the first of many.   Do you have a model name or link to where you bought yours?

[Howie]

The one I was offering came with the Bell Star I have.  Not as roomy for other stuff, but good protection is this one  http://chaseharper.com/product/helmet-bag/

I have one of these too.  I might sell you this one for...let's see now...DMFr, DESMO member, great riding to DIMBY companion...a beer maybe?

[1.21GW]

How about a 3-spoke Bremo front wheel?

[Howie]

We should keep that one for a spare for whomever, fits both our bikes as well as others in the area.  I can keep it in my garage if you like.  Wound up with a silver wheel on the front of old bike anyway.  Turns out it looks great with the silver/black tank and back wheel.

[Chucko9-696]

You could just buy one there, then just get rid of it when you come back home. 

[DarkMonster620]

having knowledge to where 1.21GW is traveling to . ..  HE must take his helmet . . .

depending on "in between flights time" I would send everything checked and just have my passport and helmet on me as carry on . . .

[1.21GW]

Thanks, Carlos.  BTW, it's not a secret, I'm doing this:

http://www.freedombikerental.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=233

4 days/3 nights on a Husq TE630.  If it's as awesome as it sounds, I may need to come back next year for the 9-day tour!

[ducpainter]

How much off road experience do you have?

[1.21GW]

0

[Speeddog]

0

Hrm. 

How long have you been riding, and on what bikes?

That's a lot of high-altitude riding, how fit are you (or can you be for that trip)?