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How to safely transport my camera on a Harley? Can it be done?
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Mar 16, 2019 12:02:21   #
jaycoffman Loc: San Diego
 
Not sure about your Harley but I have been carrying my Nikon DSLR in my tank bag on my BMW 1200GS for years. The bag is somewhat padded and I wrap the camera in a towel and have never had any problems. This setup also allows me to stop and shoot without getting off the bike when an opportunity suddenly presents itself. I've gone over 80,000 miles with this setup. Yes, generally the Harley has more vibration than a BMW but the GS is a bit stiffer ride than the road bikes so if you find a suitable bag it should work. Also, I can easily take off the tank bag when going in for lunch or away from my bike which is good for security.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:16:50   #
Dan Mc Loc: NM
 
Been riding since I was 13 (I'm 73 now) and have never had a camera damaged from riding. Have tossed them in leather saddlebags, hard bags and tourpaks...ditto, no issues. Don't fret, just pack it for rain protection (a bread bag works), but don't worry about vibration...there ain't enough to mess up a camera.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:22:17   #
texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH
 
We have packs that attach to the back seat backrest, that rest on the luggage rack of our bikes. I can get any of my cameras (in their bag) in that pack, easily. The whole pack can be removed when you stop for the night, or you can just unzip it and take out just the camera. The pack is actually turned around and resting on the passenger seat in this photo.



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Mar 16, 2019 12:29:20   #
Silver506 Loc: Colorado
 
Been riding Ultras for 20 years and carrying my Canon 1DX MkII with 24-70 lens attached. I wrap it in a jacket and use either the trunk or a side bag. I’ve never had any damage done due to vibrations.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:33:36   #
photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State
 
Get yourself a pocketable hifh quality bridge with a good zoom ratio. Your shirt pocket should not vibrate too badly. I reentlysupplementfed by SLR's with a Sony HX 80 (24 -720 mm zoom) Can and Nikon offer pocketable long zoom cameras as well.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:33:45   #
WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md
 
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 owned many Harleys and most of the time I just carried my camera across my shoulder. If I was riding my bagger I would put it in a good camera bag and store it in my saddle bag or tour pack.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:37:31   #
BebuLamar
 
luvmypets wrote:
I have a Honda Goldwing. My camera bag rides in the top case and my 150-600 lens, laptop and tripod go into one saddle bag. Never had an issue. The camera bag is well padded and the computer and long lens (also in padded bags) usually sit on something like a jacket or something else along that line. The heat from the tailpipe is what concerns me there.

I wouldn't put your camera on the luggage rack or backseat. One trip to the restroom and it could be gone. I'd rather they steal my bag of clothes (there's always a Wal-Mart around somewhere that I can buy replacements) and that is what rides in the passenger seat. Knock on wood...no one has ever taken anything but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

Enjoy your travels!!!

Dodie
I have a Honda Goldwing. My camera bag rides in t... (show quote)


For better or worse the Gold Wing is not a Harley.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:45:44   #
tinwhistle
 
Don't know if this has any connection at all, butttttt, I spent 30 years between the doors of various makes of semi trucks. Some rode better than others but all are highspeed vibrators. Carried most of my photography equipment in a Pelican (foam padded) hard case. Never had a failure I could blame on the hard case. I know there is a big difference between 18 wheels and two, but you might want to consider the wonderfully padded hard case.

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Mar 16, 2019 12:56:46   #
BBurns Loc: South Bay, California
 
ThruTheLens wrote:
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 13:11:59   #
elent
 
I've had a standard cushioned camera bag mounted between my windshield and handle bars on my FLSTC and keep my canon 5D there and easy to grab. 5+years and a lot of (sometimes rough) miles. The space seemed to be designed for it.

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Mar 16, 2019 13:23:25   #
bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT
 
You could always wrap the camera in foam, put it in the saddle bag, then put the Harley in the back of an F150. But I’m not a biker so I’m a little out of the loop. 🤪

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Mar 16, 2019 13:41:15   #
ChristianHJensen
 
luvmypets wrote:
I have a Honda Goldwing. My camera bag rides in the top case and my 150-600 lens, laptop and tripod go into one saddle bag. Never had an issue. The camera bag is well padded and the computer and long lens (also in padded bags) usually sit on something like a jacket or something else along that line. The heat from the tailpipe is what concerns me there.

I wouldn't put your camera on the luggage rack or backseat. One trip to the restroom and it could be gone. I'd rather they steal my bag of clothes (there's always a Wal-Mart around somewhere that I can buy replacements) and that is what rides in the passenger seat. Knock on wood...no one has ever taken anything but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

Enjoy your travels!!!

Dodie
I have a Honda Goldwing. My camera bag rides in t... (show quote)


I think the comparison between a rolling couch and a 1200cc (or whatever engine volume said HD has) vibrator is only salient on one point: the chance of getting the camera stolen. I think a camera will have a real hard life anywhere in/on saddelbags/luggage rack or even the back seat - the only place I think it will survive a longish trip on a HD would be in a backpack or other bag worn by the rider - that low frequency vibration is very hard to isolate

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Mar 16, 2019 13:50:43   #
PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA
 
I rode my Road Glide Ultra from NW PA to Milwaukee for Harley’s 116th last summer and carried my Pentax K-x in the trunk, wrapped in some clothing inside the luggage and had no problems. The camera was not damaged at all and still works perfectly.

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Mar 16, 2019 13:56:05   #
dfrodin Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
 
Buy a BMW bike.... you'll never regret it!!!

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Mar 16, 2019 14:55:03   #
SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL
 
I put my DSLR is a small case that is well padded and fits in the Saddlebag easily. I have been doing this for a couple of years without any degrading of any of the camera systems.

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