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The best motorcycle helmet lock for most riders is the Kuryakyn Universal Helmet Lock: a keyed latch that clamps to 7/8 to 1-1/2 inch tubing and stays on the bike, for about $64. If you ride more than one bike, the HelmetLok II carabiner is the best portable lock at about $33, and the Oxford LidLock is the pick if you want to run a cable through the chin bar, which is harder to defeat than a strap.
Quick picks
-
Best bolt-on
Kuryakyn Universal Helmet Lock
- Type
- Keyed, clamps to tubing
- Fits
- 7/8 to 1-1/2 in. tube
- Price
- About $64
-
Best portable
- Type
- Carabiner, 4-digit combination
- Fits
- Bars and frames up to 1.5 in.
- Price
- About $33
-
Best cable lock
- Type
- Carabiner + coiled cable, combination
- Cable
- 105 cm (about 41 in.)
- Price
- About $60
-
Best budget
Milwaukee Twins Universal Helmet Lock
- Type
- Keyed, clamps to frame tube
- Fits
- 7/8 to 1-1/4 in. tube
- Price
- About $20
- For sport and naked bikes: Kuryakyn License Plate Helmet Lock
- Mid-price bolt-on: HogWorkz Fort Knox Universal Helmet Lock
We chose these locks from research, not hands-on testing. We compared how each one attaches, the tube sizes it fits, lock type, price and availability at RevZilla and other US retailers, and we leaned on security advice from helmet makers and lock brands. Remember that every helmet lock is a deterrent: it stops the casual grab, not someone with a knife and time.
Motorcycle helmet locks compared
| Lock | Type | Fits or mounts | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuryakyn Universal | Keyed, bolt-on | 7/8 to 1-1/2 in. tube | About $64 |
| HelmetLok II | Carabiner, 4-digit code | Bars and frames up to 1.5 in. | About $33 |
| Oxford LidLock | Carabiner + 105 cm cable | Chin bar or D-ring | About $60 |
| Milwaukee Twins Universal | Keyed, bolt-on | 7/8 to 1-1/4 in. tube | About $20 |
| Kuryakyn License Plate | Keyed, plate mount | License plate | About $67 |
| HogWorkz Fort Knox | Keyed, bolt-on | Frame, guard, bars, bag guard | About $36 |
Fitment and prices come from RevZilla and maker listings checked in November 2026.
The best helmet locks in detail
1. Kuryakyn Universal Helmet Lock: best bolt-on lock
If you want a helmet lock that lives on the bike, the Kuryakyn Universal is the one most cruiser and touring riders end up with. It clamps to any straight section of tubing at least 2-1/4 inches long and 7/8 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, according to RevZilla’s listing, so it fits handlebars, engine guards, frame rails and saddlebag guards on most bikes.
You hook the helmet’s D-ring over the latch and lock it with the key. There is nothing to carry and no code to forget. It comes in gloss black (about $64) and chrome (about $57). Like every D-ring lock, it holds the strap, not the shell, so it stops a grab-and-go thief, not a determined one with a knife.
Pros
- Always on the bike
- Fits a wide range of tube sizes
- Black and chrome finishes
Cons
- Locks the D-ring only
- Needs a 2-1/4 in. straight section of tube
2. HelmetLok II: best portable helmet lock
The HelmetLok II is a locking carabiner. You clip it through the helmet’s D-rings, then around a handlebar, frame tube or rack, and scramble a resettable four-digit combination. Cycle Gear says the arm opens to fit round bars and frames up to 1.5 inches, and a T-bar adapter is included for helmets with micro-ratchet buckles instead of D-rings.
The body is aluminum and zinc alloy with a rubber coating, which keeps it from scratching paint or the helmet shell. Because it moves from bike to bike, it is the best choice if you ride more than one motorcycle or rent bikes on trips. At about $33 it is also one of the cheapest locks here.
Pros
- Works on any bike, no install
- Rubber coating protects paint
- T-bar for micro-ratchet buckles
Cons
- Holds the strap, which can be cut
- Easy to forget at home
3. Oxford LidLock: best cable lock for the chin bar
Locking a helmet by the chin bar is more secure than locking the D-ring, because a thief cannot just cut the strap. The Oxford LidLock makes that easy: it combines a combination carabiner with a 105 cm coiled cable. Run the cable through the chin bar (and a jacket sleeve, if you like) and clip the carabiner around the bike.
You can also use the carabiner alone through the D-ring, and Oxford includes a T-bar for Microlock-style buckles. The code is self-set. The cable is thin, so treat it as a deterrent for short stops, not overnight security. RevZilla lists it at about $60, though stock comes and goes.
Pros
- Cable through the chin bar or a jacket
- Works as a plain carabiner too
- Self-set combination
Cons
- Thin cable
- US stock can be patchy
4. Milwaukee Twins Universal: best budget bolt-on lock
At about $20, the Milwaukee Twins lock is the cheapest permanent helmet lock we found at RevZilla. It is a simple keyed latch that mounts to frame tubes between 7/8 and 1-1/4 inches, according to the listing, which covers most handlebars and many crash bars.
It does the same job as the Kuryakyn for about a third of the price, with fewer finish options and a smaller tube range. If your bike has 1-1/2 inch tubing, go with the Kuryakyn instead.
Pros
- About $20
- Keyed and always on the bike
Cons
- Smaller tube range than Kuryakyn
- Basic finish
5. Kuryakyn License Plate Helmet Lock: best for bikes without exposed tubing
Sportbikes, nakeds and many modern standards have no exposed round tubing to clamp a lock to. This Kuryakyn version solves that by mounting at the license plate, with the mount included. It uses the same keyed D-ring latch as the universal lock.
The helmet hangs low at the back of the bike, so keep it away from a hot exhaust and expect road grime if it rains. At about $67 it is the priciest lock here, but it is the cleanest permanent option if your bike lacks a handlebar or frame rail you can use.
Pros
- Works without exposed tubing
- Mount included
- Keyed, nothing to carry
Cons
- Helmet hangs low near the road
- Most expensive pick
6. HogWorkz Fort Knox: best mid-price bolt-on for Harleys
The HogWorkz Fort Knox sits between the Milwaukee Twins and the Kuryakyn on price. HogWorkz says it fastens to a frame tube, engine guard, handlebar or saddlebag guard, which suits Harley baggers and cruisers with plenty of chrome tubing. It comes in black or chrome.
HogWorkz does not publish a tube diameter range on RevZilla’s listing, so measure your tubing and check the fitment notes before ordering. If you ride a Harley and want an OEM look, Harley-Davidson also sells its own universal mount helmet lock (part number 92800020) for 7/8 to 1-1/4 inch tubing through dealers.
Pros
- Black or chrome to match the bike
- About $36
Cons
- Tube range not published
- D-ring only
How to lock a motorcycle helmet
Chin bar beats D-ring
Most helmet locks grab the D-rings on the chin strap. That is quick, but the strap is the weak point: a thief can cut it and walk off with the helmet. Running a steel cable through the chin bar of a full-face helmet and around a solid part of the frame is harder to defeat. If your lock only takes the D-ring, at least park where people can see the bike.
Check for a built-in helmet lock first
Many motorcycles already have a helmet hook or lock, often under the seat or on the subframe next to the passenger pegs. They are common on retro, commuter and dual-sport models and rare on new sportbikes. Check your owner’s manual before you buy anything. Under-seat hooks work best with double D-ring straps.
Protect the helmet as well as lock it
- Do not hang it on a mirror. The mirror stem presses into the comfort liner and can wear through the lining of a full-face helmet over time, and a helmet on a mirror is an easy target.
- Mind the weather. A locked helmet left out in the rain soaks its liner, and long sun exposure fades paint and plastics. Turn it upside down under a cover, or carry it in when you can. Our helmet cleaning tips cover drying a wet liner.
- Keep it off hot parts. Do not let the helmet rest on the exhaust or engine, which can melt the shell or the EPS liner.
- Avoid huge chains. Heavy chains can scratch the shell, shield and gaskets. Rubber-coated locks are kinder to paint.
Combine it with bike security
A helmet lock protects the helmet, not the bike. For the motorcycle itself, pair a disc lock with a chain, and consider one of the best motorcycle alarm systems if you park on the street.
FAQ
Do motorcycle helmet locks work?
They work as deterrents. Most thefts are opportunistic, and a locked helmet is much less tempting than a loose one. A determined thief can still cut a strap or a thin cable, so do not leave an expensive helmet locked outside for hours.
Where is the helmet lock on my motorcycle?
If your bike has one, it is usually under the seat, on the side of the subframe near the passenger footpegs, or behind a side cover. The owner’s manual shows the location.
Can you lock a helmet with a micro-ratchet buckle?
Yes. Locks such as the HelmetLok II and Oxford LidLock include a T-bar adapter for ratchet buckles, or you can run a cable through the chin bar instead.
Is it OK to leave a helmet on the bike?
For a short stop, a locked helmet is fine. For longer stops, rain or strong sun, take it with you or store it in locked luggage. Moisture and UV both shorten a helmet’s life.
For most riders, the Kuryakyn Universal Helmet Lock is the set-and-forget choice. Pick the HelmetLok II if you need something portable, and the Oxford LidLock if you want the extra security of a cable through the chin bar.
