Hawkeye60 Loc: Easton, MD

I would love to know if there’s anyone who has experience in photographing their trips or excursions while riding a motorcycle in the States or abroad. Motorcycling is one of my favorite hobbies and I dabble in photography, but I am interested in going beyond action cameras and vlogging. Also, I have considered drone photography and footage, but I lack experience in that aspect of photography. All suggestions, ideas and tips are welcomed!

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I sold my GoldWing in 2005, so it's been a long time. I knew I forfeited some possibilities of certain shots by restricting my camera to the smallest one in my arsenal. Back then, it was an Olympus UZ-750 with a blazing 4 megapixels and a voracious appetite for AA batteries. If I still rode, I'd have my Canon PowerShot G-15 with me. It's an incredible camera. Technology today will get you a similar camera with better features. Now all that said, I didn't start with a Wing. For many years, I had smaller bikes. Again, if I still rode a big touring bike with the room, and knew it was a photo trip, I'd take my Nikon D5300 and one lens, the Tamron 18-400.

As for particular tips, I'd say that having all your gear and accessories with you in a way that you're not thinking about them while you're driving.

I never let anything compromise my safety, so if I saw something I wanted to shoot, I stopped and took the time I needed to do so. Even on a big touring bike, you're vulnerable.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Done that for decades all over the country. Don’t know about the latest generation of point and shoot or bridge cameras, but the problem I had was the shutter lag and inability to focus. My D5100 and 18-55 has no problems. Set it at the wide end and I’ve gotten some good images of my buddies riding beside me or ahead. I’ve even shot over my shoulder at the guys behind me. A DSLR lets you do some serious cropping, something the pocket cameras wouldn’t. I’ve even gotten photos of myself in the rear view mirror.

Yes, one of the 18-200 lenses would work great. I normally have a 18-55 and 55-200 or 70-300. Keep in mind that cameras and lenses will jiggle around so it’s best to put stuff in with your clothes. Even Gold Wings aren’t totall vibration free.

JacksonHD Loc: NorCal

I've been riding for than 50 years (500k miles +/-), just a couple of years longer than I've been dabbling in photography. In those days I enjoyed taking photos of race cars, racing motorcycles and jumping horses. But I always took my pickup truck so I could easily and safely carry all my gear (two cameras, several lenses, Honeywell strobe, tripod, etc.). When riding, I found even my Konica rangerfinder too large to carry comfortably and securely.

Today's compact digital cameras are much easier to carry. My favorite is a compact Sony HX80. It is a small-sensor 18.2MP camera with a 30x Zeiss zoom lens, built-in flash and pop-up EVF, that easily fits easily in a jacket or inside vest pocket. If I had more money to spend, I would buy a Sony RX10 M6 or M7 (less zoom but larger sensor).

There are similar model by other manufacturers, but I am not familiar with them.

I also have a great do-everything camera, a Sony RX10 M4. I find it to be fantastiic, but it is too expensive for me to feel comfortabe carrying on the scoot.

Just my experience. Hope it helps. See you in the wind.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Oh, no way would I take my big heavy D800 and 80-200 2.8. Too big and too heavy. A smaller lighter camera with automatic settings is definitely the way to go if you want to get shots on the move. For years it was a D40 and then the D5100.

Laramie Loc: Tempe

Scooter in the Sticks doesn't often take long trips, but the images and the writeups are excellent.

https://scooterinthesticks.com/

MrPhotog

Both Leica and BMW have programs where you can visit their factories and watch as they finish the assembly of your camera, or cycle. Get it fresh off the assembly line. BMW can arrange to ship the cycle back to the US after your tour. Shipping isn’t an issue with a camera.

When I hit it big in the lottery, maybe I’ll visit Germany and do both on the same trip.

I expect you could find similar programs for Japanese and Chinese made cameras and cycles.

I found it inconvenient to pack my cameras in saddlebags or cases, as it took too long to get them out. So I would keep them in various canvas camera bags, worn over neck and shoulder. In college those mostly came from Army surplus stores. Later I’d use gadget bags, but they flapped around more, and let in more dust.

I think my body dampened some of the vibrations which might otherwise have shaken them apart. Also, it was very convenient to stop, reach in the bag, pull out the camera, take my picture and put the camera back before resuming my ride.

I never tried shooting pictures while moving. Throttle and shutter release both required my right hand at the same time.

I’ve always had the parts and ability to mount a camera on the front of my motorcycles, and never thought it to be a good idea. Too much dust and dirt for my nice equipment.

Today, if I wanted photos while riding I’d get a sealed “Hero” type underwater/sports cam, or a dash camera and mount it to the handlebars or front fairing. I’ve seen videos of people with similar camera mounted on their helmets, but I don’t like that idea.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

You might also consider an Olympus TG 5 or 6. It can take a beating, is weatherproof and dust proof and fits in a pocket. There’s even a small zoom that can be attached. Both would fit in a pocket.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

I used to stuff a DSLR and a low to medium zoom lens into my H-Ds' tour packs. Those days are now a decade past. If I were cycle today I'd bring my Olympus Tough TG-4 (or one of the newer models of the same). I carry it now in my fly fishing chest pack and when scouting for native archaeological sites it's in my backpack. Takes great pictures, is vibration/drop proof and waterproof. Can't ask for much more in a small package.

jgudpns Loc: Pensacola, FL

Not sure what he used, but a friend at church did an 1,200 mile 8 day Morocco motorcycle trip last year, and has some awesome video and pictures. Did a great job post producing in DiVinci Resolve. I believe his primary for the actual motorcyle part was a go-pro..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgk3DtNjxgk&t=2083s

philo Loc: philo, ca

I always found parking my bike when I saw something to photograph.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

My wife and I spent three weeks in Europe on one bike (Honda 1100) several years ago. We each used one saddle bag for clothing, and the top box had a few small items of nicknacks plus a Canon FF DSLR and several lenses, but no tripod. Laundry every night in hotel or hostel; also carried a tiny retractable clothesline. Rain gear was needed, which squeezed the clothing space when we weren’t wearing it. Intercom was attached (not the modern built in type), but a huge plus to be able to talk while riding. Few photos when under way by cell phone, which she probably should have used more. Cell phone cameras then were poor and shots often blurred from speed or vibration. Most of the travel was in mountainous or hilly country, and it was a ball! Lots of side trips, and fortuitous sites for visitation and/or photos.
We have a great slide show that we look at occasionally, and two lovely wall hangers (more if I had more wall space). If I were younger, I’d happily do it again with my R5 and a range of lenses.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Back in the so called good old days of film cameras, less comfortable bikes with small saddle bags and poor vibration control, I used a tank bag as shown in the photo. Had the camera with 50mm lens, a wide angle, telephoto, flash, film canisters and below the camera close up lenses. With the foam, no more vibration unscrewing the rings that hold the front lens in or other screws in the camera. It was really handy. Pull off the road, unzip the bag, shoot the photo, put the camera back and on I’d go. No getting off and digging through saddle bags for the camera. At a motel, unsnap the bag and carry it in. I fashioned a plastic cover for the bag when in rain. Never once had anyone mess with it. Never use it anymore but still have all the gear in it.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I’ve considered using the tank bag again. Far handier and more convenient. And the D5100, the kit 18-55 and 55-200 aren’t that valuable should a light fingers Louie get any ideas. But I’ve never had any problems, not even in modern times in places like South Bend or Cincinnati with stuff strapped on the seat (no offense to anyone that’s lives there.)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I rode for over 40 years and my wife for 15 years. We both rode GL1800 Gold Wings. She has never been into photography but I have and I always had a camera on the bike. When digital cameras came out I always carried a small point and shoot camera, generally in my shirt or jacket pocket. When I rode the 650 Vstrom I had a tank bag and I put the camera in the bag, usually on top of a couple spare pare of gloves. No problems. I tried carrying my D90, but found it just too bulky and it had to be carried in the trunk, so it wasn’t handy and I quit doing that after one time.