What Does a Helmet Behind a Motorcycle Mean

A helmet worn on the head is normal and attracts no attention from passersby. However, when you spot a helmet behind a motorcycle, it raises interest because it isn’t usual. And it holds deep meaning among motorcyclists. 

When you are badly injured or your bike has broken down and you need help, how do you alert passing motorcyclists about your condition? Make use of the helmet. 

Read on to understand what Helmet Gurus unearthed about the practice! 


Brief History of Placing Helmet Behind Motorcycle

The act of placing a helmet a couple of feet behind a motorcycle isn’t a recent invention but a long-time tradition among bikers. Motor vehicle drivers have their secret codes of communication and so do motorcyclists. 

The bond between motorcyclists is strong and knows no boundaries. When one biker breaks down on the road, a passing motorcyclist is often willing to help. Unfortunately, there are instances when verbal communication has its challenges.

What if the environment is:

Noisy

Has poor road visibility

Communication breakdown?

That’s how the non-verbal signal such as placing a helmet behind the motorcycle came up. An easy way to let another motorcyclist know that you need his help or pass a coded message. 

The modern motorcycle however has evolved to have various electronic signals for sending alerts about distress calls. 

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Meaning of a Helmet Behind a Motorcycle (a Couple of Feet on the Ground Behind a Motorcycle)

A helmet on the ground a couple of feet behind a motorcycle is an unusual occurrence. To the biker community, it signifies a rider in need of help. Even in a high noise-pitched environment, the sign is easy to spot.

Sometimes when traveling you may encounter mechanical breakdowns far from a garage. For example, a flat tire or broken chain are the usual culprits of breakdown. Placing the helmet behind the motorcycle alerts passing riders that you need help.

Also, an accident can occur at any time. An accident can leave you badly injured such that you can’t ride anymore. A non-verbal signal in such a case can be your only way to get help from other bikers.



You can also encounter dangerous road conditions that warrant you to alert others. Excessive oil spillage or risky potholes. Instead of letting others walk into problems, that reflective helmet comes into use.

That’s why you should strive to have a versatile protective hood such as a modular motorcycle helmet - helmetgurus.com with you. Besides protecting your head from injuries, it can be your means to alert others and get quick help. 

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Meaning of Helmet Behind a Motorcycle (But Not On the Ground)

It's also possible to spot a rider placing a helmet behind a motorcycle's rear end. Most cyclists understand such a signal to mean: 

Symbol of unity among particular biker groups

Paying tribute to a fallen rider

Open invitation to go for group adventurer’s rides

 Usually, a helmet plays a protective role. That is shielding your head from hard impacts, dust, and flying objects on the road. 

The best-rated modular motorcycle helmet at helmetgurus.com goes a notch higher by acting as an open face and doubling as a full-face helmet too. However, among the biker community, it can also play passover messages. 

Thus, a helmet behind a motorcycle signifies a cyclist asking for help or notifying a passing motorcyclist of danger ahead. From whichever angle you look at it a helmet is a life saver.