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How to safely transport my camera on a Harley? Can it be done?
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Mar 16, 2019 08:53:45   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
The old line... got a Harley for my wife... great trade.

Dik

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Mar 16, 2019 09:02:45   #
jainnh
 
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)


Its a bike, get over the HD thing. I have traveled across the USA many times, 50,000.00miles and the only thing I have done is wrap your camera in a good old soft towel and use a lot of rubber bands. You should not have any problems. Ive had more flat tires than any broken cameras. And My latest Bike is a Yamaha star Eluder GT, and it already has 8000, and have not lost a camera yet.

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Mar 16, 2019 09:03:48   #
catterar Loc: Angier, NC
 
I wrapped my D5300 and lens in bubble wrap and put it in my T-bag. Rode my Dyna Low Rider from North Carolina to Rhode Island and back. No issues still works like new.

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Mar 16, 2019 09:13:47   #
ThruTheLens Loc: Kingston NY
 
I wrap my camera gear in bubble wrap and put it in one of the drawers of the roll-a-way tool chest that I pull behind my Harley. I like to be prepared for the unknown, but also for the known.

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Mar 16, 2019 09:25:02   #
Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV
 
I sold my Road Glide (same frame and engine) and went to a Goldwing last year. The vibration is truly worth considering. I think if it is only a trip or two I would get a point and shoot camera for those trips rather than gamble on my DSLR.

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Mar 16, 2019 09:44:26   #
BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh
 
I've been riding a Harley for years with a camera in the side bag or tour pack and have not had a problem yet. Typically when touring I wrap it in whatever clothing is handy but I have also used an SLR soft pouch such as that sold by Op/Tech when space is less of a problem such as when riding locally. I agree with the comment about security by the way; I wouldn't leave it in an unsecured bag strapped to a rack for example. Ride safe.



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Mar 16, 2019 09:44:40   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
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 riden many makes and models over the decades, yes the Harley is a bit of a shaker, the Wing models have always been quite smooth. On my last couple of sportbikes (996 & GSX-R, etc.) I used a tankbag, less vibration than anywhere else on the bike and a backpack (either wore it, or strapped to the back of the seat). You want the camera bag somewhere that is not on a mount that exagerates the shake, strapped firmly to the rear of the seat, or up behind the windsheild (if yours has one), and again, tankbag is a great choice (and a good quality one won't harm the tank/paint in any way. Backpacks are good, but they do become tiresome after wearing for some time on the road. Foam or towel wrap is great.

Another option is a bridge or pocket camera (with as many great features as you can afford) or rent a camera so yours stays safe. I often carried a sacraficial film/digital camera when I rode, trhat way if anything happened it wasn't as big a loss. If you want to carry several lenses and such, I'd say tankbag. Another option might be a videocam with a bar mount and quick takeoff so you can film while riding and remove for walkabout. Whatever you do, ride safe, eyes wide open, two fingers brake/clutch, don't count on loud pipes to keep people from pulling out in front of you, make yourself visible, and have a bunch of fun!!!!

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Mar 16, 2019 10:26:38   #
williejoha
 
Wrap it in bubble wrap. Can’t be any worse than how the delivery services handle packages. Good riding.
WJH

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Mar 16, 2019 10:38:48   #
WaM_Photo Loc: Sandia Park, New Mexico
 
I too rode a Road King and would travel with my camera. Since space is limited, I packed my Nikon in a saddle bag wrapped in a shirt and then placed in a small camera case - packed near the top of my saddle bag for easy access. I never had a problem.

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Mar 16, 2019 10:43:03   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
All suggestions short of trading the RK for a BMW 1200 series, a GW, or Indian is an experiment. Isolation of a smaller bridge or compact camera would my choice if the bike tradein doesn’t work for you. Until a few years ago, I owned a Victory touring bike that had minimal vibration for a v-twin. Until I abandoned carrying a DSLR, I surrounded the camera padding with shock absorbing foam and put it in the trunk. I still crossed my fingers every time I opened the trunk. Unfortunately, few cameras are subject to Mil-Spec 16400 S & V testing.

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Mar 16, 2019 10:45:11   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
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)


Yep, a RK can really shake especially at idle. Not knowing what camera you have maybe consider a quality P&S (Bridge) camera and just wrap it in Styrofoam in the luggage rack case, most of them are pretty hardy.

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Mar 16, 2019 10:49:42   #
GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan
 
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)


Just last month I got a toolbox and had a foam store put custom cut padding in it to hold my Pentax 500mm lens.

For my protection purpose, the padding they insisted on using open cell sponge and they had just about every kind of stuff on the planet.

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Mar 16, 2019 10:55:35   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
I would think a small Pelican Case would do the trick .........Invicta uses them for their Watch Cases and they're also water tight as well and air-cargo rated and should lessen the shock when you put your cycle into a pot hole........heaven forbid !

Contact them and let us know your findings.

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Mar 16, 2019 11:16:13   #
VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha
 
I ride a 2011 Street Glide with hard bags and a tour pack trunk...it vibrates nicely 😄

2 thougts based on my experience...

1. If you have a trunk, buy a camera backpack and put your gear in it...i have a LowePro BP250AW that fits nicely in my trunk. Never had an issue.

2, if the runk is too full, I use the towel method...wrap the camera and lens in separate towels and put them on top of something soft.

Keep the shiny side up and enjoy the ride.

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Mar 16, 2019 11:44:12   #
Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
 
Its safe just as long as you don't fall or crash into anything. Then its bye bye camera and probably you too.

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