Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Do any Hoggers routinely transport your camera/lens in the top case or panniers on your motorcycle? I want to carry some gear in the top case of my adventure bike and was concerned with the effects of vibration on my gear. How do you navigate such concerns? Thanks

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Use gelatine packs.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I have a Goldwing and an FJR 1300. The top case is where I put the camera gear on the Goldwing and I don't use anything other than the regular camera bag my equipment is kept/carried in. My Tamron 150-600 lens (in its padded case) and tripod go into a saddle bag and I put the bike's rain cover in first for extra heat protection. There has never been any problems with any of the equipment and the farthest it's been has been from NC to Vermont, New Hampshire and a quick dip into Maine and back to NC.

I don't take long trips on the FJR because it's too uncomfortable and there are only side bags on it. I have to use a smaller bag and take less equipment but I've never had any issues.

Best wishes for a fantastic trip!!!

Dodie

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

Probably not relevant to your situation because I have a trike, but I use a Pelican case that is large enough to hold everything I need but small enough that it fits in the trunk. I have made many trips with it, both to the left coast and to Washington DC plus several others, and have never had an issue or a problem.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

Thanks for your replies.

krashdragon

You just need a trippack on the back. Its not a GW.
Mine wasn't uncomfortable.. Until I shaved the seat... i'm short.... But... A nice curly sheepskin saved the day. From Cleveland. Ohio to Napa, Ca and back. It liked to cruise at...
A little faster than the speed limits....

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Bubble wrap - the one with the big bubbles.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I use large bubble wrap, works like a charm.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

what make and model of bike are you riding? If you have a cruiser or touring model, I'd say using your regular camera bag packed carefully and supported with other items would provide sufficient protection. Unless you are going to travel nothing but back roads with poor surfaces, don't be overly concerned. I traveled from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and back on my Harley Road Glide with a computer and some of my gear carefully packed and had no problems.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

My question as well.
I have had very smooth bikes where the thought never occurs to me about vibration.
Other bikes even when not moving vibrate like a shell cleaner and would vibrate the finish off your equipment and who knows what inside.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I was riding, I'd often carry a DSLR in the top case, well-wrapped. Of course, with the camera back there, I had to be careful not to crash.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

BMW R1200GS, 80% road/20% dirt and gravel

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I put mine in the Tourpack that sits behind the passenger on the several Harleys I’ve owned. Couple hundred thousand miles without ever having a problem. I try to snuggle it in with some clothing. Ride Harleys which vibrate a bit while at idle but smooth out once moving. I’ve used the saddle bags but usually have heavier stuff in them.

bigtoxy69 Loc: Grosse Tete louisana

I think again depending on Equipment ? What how much of it and size ? That a Hard case like A Pelican, SkB ,Nanuk ,ECT...assuming you have Somewhere to mount/Lash Secure it ? Would be the Way In would Go !!!perhaps with A Kaizen Foam custom cut interior instead of Pluck foam ? Something like The My case builder.com setups ? I'm not sure how The Trekpak system would Deal with Vibration ? But perhaps another Rider /Photographer ? Who has used it with The Bike might be able too enlighten all of us on that issue or Non issue ?

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

I had the exact same question a few years ago. The best, safest and most convenient solution (for me), was to use a purpose made camera backpack. I found one small enough to just carry the essentials that I would need. It was nice and compact, (the bigger the bag, the more unnecessary crap you'll cram in there.
So, as far as actual usage. Firstly, being a proper camera bag, all the items fit nice and snug in their own compartments, so no vibration or potential damage to be caused, (as I'm sure you already knew). The backpack was small enough to fit into my topbox, panniers, strap on to the back seat or of course actually wear. When I reached my destination it was I'd just throw it over my shoulder and head off to begin shooting, knowing that I had all I needed already in one place, nothing was left on the motorcycle so no worries of anything being stolen. And it was always undamaged and easy to carry. (any extra space in there was always useful for things like a rain poncho, ball cap, maybe a soda and a sandwich, depending on the day.
This isn't the only, or even perhaps the best solution, but for me it worked like a charm for years, oh yeah, forgot to mention, I also had straps on mine to carry a tripod, so everything I needed in a small package! Hope you find a solution that works for you.
Quick edit here, giving this a bit more thought, something like a "pelican case", would be a possibility, super protective as we all know, but not really easy to secure on the motorcycle, and of course, hard cases are not particularly comfortable to carry around. I guess it depends on your particular needs, as I said, for me the backpack suited my needs on every occasion.