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How to safely transport my camera on a Harley? Can it be done?
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Mar 16, 2019 15:02:34   #
Uturn Loc: Snellville, GA
 
I have pulled a Bushtec trailer for many years - often with a Mamiya RB67 system & tripod mixed in with camping gear.
Not cheap but they pull well and it's easy to forget that it's there

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Mar 16, 2019 15:41:06   #
clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
 
Marvelton wrote:
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcycle trip with a group of friends. I ride a Harley Road King which creates a considerable amount of vibration. I'm sure it would shake my camera apart if I were to pack it in a saddle bag -- although I've never tested the theory :). I've thought about strapping a hard protective case to the luggage rack or back seat. I'm wondering if anyone has done this or something similar and might have a suggestion as to what might work or worked for them?

We ride to some beautiful spots. Last year I found myself in Terlingua, TX at Big Bend National Park looking up at the Milky Way with nothing but an iPhone 6S+. The only time I take a camera with me on the bike is if I pack it in my Lowepro backpack and wear it to wherever I'm going. Not so bad for short trips but not really practical for longer trips. Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcyc... (show quote)


I’ve worn out 3 Harley’s and always just put the camera in with my cloths in the saddlebag. Never had a problem. I put a removable tour pack, like the Electra-glides have, which gave a little more comfort for the passenger. Alaska Highway, Cabo, Key West and Newfound and all over the SW, SE and NW. Theft is the biggest concern but if I’m not riding I’m carrying the camera. Both times that my bike was prowled it was in Canada. The locks are easily defeated if you know the trick. Ride safe and worry about other drivers, your camera will be fine.

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Mar 16, 2019 16:46:45   #
317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In
 
I have taken a Canon DSLR With several lenses in the saddlebag of my road king classic. I had no problem on a one week trip. I did have clothes packed in the same bag so it was somewhat cushioned.

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Mar 16, 2019 16:59:24   #
Overthehill1
 
When I was riding and working for a newspaper years ago I had a shoemaker (try and find one of them now) sew 2 loops on the back of my camera bag. Ran a belt through it, fastened it around my waist and ran the strap over my opposite shoulder. If you're just carrying a camera and lens, some of the other suggestions probably will work better, but I was able to carry 2 bodies, a flash and 3 lenses without any problem.

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Mar 16, 2019 17:06:10   #
jaycoffman Loc: San Diego
 
dfrodin wrote:
Buy a BMW bike.... you'll never regret it!!!



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Mar 16, 2019 17:35:20   #
Jack729 Loc: United States, planet earth, milky way galaxy
 
MichaelH wrote:
You could make a foam insert for your saddlebag (like in a Pelican case) that might isolate the gear from some of the vibration. The gear would still vibrate but with less of a direct connection to the motorcycle.


Thats exactly what I did - took an old couch cushion and made a custom fit foam sandwich, made to fit inside my saddle bag - not a problem. Last trip was 450 miles, if I remember right.

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Mar 16, 2019 17:42:40   #
Jack729 Loc: United States, planet earth, milky way galaxy
 
Dikdik wrote:
The old line... got a Harley for my wife... great trade.

Dik


👍

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Mar 16, 2019 17:58:50   #
uhaas2009
 
My car broke down and I had to change to my sportster with just regular saddlebacks. 2 cameras, 2 flash's batteries. I used trashbacks and T-shirts for protection and I didn't think about the vibration and the ride was about 45 min away- Interstate......everything survived......I hope this never happens again....

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Mar 16, 2019 18:13:38   #
waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li
 
uhaas2009 wrote:
My car broke down and I had to change to my sportster with just regular saddlebacks. 2 cameras, 2 flash's batteries. I used trashbacks and T-shirts for protection and I didn't think about the vibration and the ride was about 45 min away- Interstate......everything survived......I hope this never happens again....

Good thing you had the Sportster for a back up. :-)

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Mar 16, 2019 18:15:12   #
Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal
 
robertjerl wrote:
Being in So. California I haven't ridden in the rain much, but I have done it a few times. Only three things you can't do on a motorcycle in the rain: keep completely dry, make a safe turn in any space smaller than a football field and stop in less than the length of that football field. Well you can try 2 & 3 but the success rate is low and I hope your health coverage is current.

Depends- the bike, the conditions, the rider. The first 15 minutes you're on layers of oil, grease dirt, water, then dust. Cars doing 25 can't stop. After that- just be careful. My Wing was @ 1500 lbs, fully travel loaded with wifee poo, and I could ride well in the rain.
I worked at Honda in Torrance, got the bag liners and the Touring onsie. Wrap everything and make it waterproof- then wrap it clothes and put that in another waterproof bag. I rode over the Grapevine in the snow, followed the snowplow over the hill to Vegas. Rained all the way to Kings River and back. Got iced over coming back from Yuma via San Diego. Good tires. lotsa practice.

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Mar 16, 2019 18:22:40   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
Marvelton wrote:
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcycle trip with a group of friends. I ride a Harley Road King which creates a considerable amount of vibration. I'm sure it would shake my camera apart if I were to pack it in a saddle bag -- although I've never tested the theory :). I've thought about strapping a hard protective case to the luggage rack or back seat. I'm wondering if anyone has done this or something similar and might have a suggestion as to what might work or worked for them?

We ride to some beautiful spots. Last year I found myself in Terlingua, TX at Big Bend National Park looking up at the Milky Way with nothing but an iPhone 6S+. The only time I take a camera with me on the bike is if I pack it in my Lowepro backpack and wear it to wherever I'm going. Not so bad for short trips but not really practical for longer trips. Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcyc... (show quote)


I think it would be fine in a backpack or even saddlebag if it were packed as if for shipping: lots of bubble wrap or similar anti-breakage stuffing.

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Mar 16, 2019 19:14:16   #
waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li
 
Harry0 wrote:
Depends- the bike, the conditions, the rider. The first 15 minutes you're on layers of oil, grease dirt, water, then dust. Cars doing 25 can't stop. After that- just be careful. My Wing was @ 1500 lbs, fully travel loaded with wifee poo, and I could ride well in the rain.
I worked at Honda in Torrance, got the bag liners and the Touring onsie. Wrap everything and make it waterproof- then wrap it clothes and put that in another waterproof bag. I rode over the Grapevine in the snow, followed the snowplow over the hill to Vegas. Rained all the way to Kings River and back. Got iced over coming back from Yuma via San Diego. Good tires. lotsa practice.
Depends- the bike, the conditions, the rider. The ... (show quote)


yup just wait for the roads to get good and soaked and slow down a little. :-)

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Mar 16, 2019 19:52:05   #
Zhallart1
 
Some camera guys suffer from OCD. For 20 years or more-hundreds of trips- thousands of miles -I carried my D80-D90-D7100 in my Harley saddlebags usually wrapped in a towel or just padded between clothing. No problems ever !!!!

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Mar 16, 2019 19:56:50   #
waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li
 
Zhallart1 wrote:
Some camera guys suffer from OCD. For 20 years or more-hundreds of trips- thousands of miles -I carried my D80-D90-D7100 in my Harley saddlebags usually wrapped in a towel or just padded between clothing. No problems ever !!!!


Yup, I'm on my bike about 50% of the time and never leave home without my camera. Never had an issue. :-)

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Mar 16, 2019 20:00:22   #
al13
 
Marvelton wrote:
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcycle trip with a group of friends. I ride a Harley Road King which creates a considerable amount of vibration. I'm sure it would shake my camera apart if I were to pack it in a saddle bag -- although I've never tested the theory :). I've thought about strapping a hard protective case to the luggage rack or back seat. I'm wondering if anyone has done this or something similar and might have a suggestion as to what might work or worked for them?

We ride to some beautiful spots. Last year I found myself in Terlingua, TX at Big Bend National Park looking up at the Milky Way with nothing but an iPhone 6S+. The only time I take a camera with me on the bike is if I pack it in my Lowepro backpack and wear it to wherever I'm going. Not so bad for short trips but not really practical for longer trips. Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.
Once or twice a year, I take a week or so motorcyc... (show quote)


At 75 yrs old and a really long time Harley rider I never took a good camera in the old days. As I moved up to the Ultras, I carried my good camera in the top tour pack. I wouldn’t take a DSLR in your side bags but would in a sissy bar pack. I have friends that do that and have had no problems. Less vibration in sissy bar luggage if packaged right.

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