Carrying RF on Motorcycle

[TimBonzi]

Anyone have any advice for carrying a rangefinder on a motorcycle? Photo backpack? Padded bag inside the saddlebags? Towing them hanging from a helium balloon? This would be paved road riding. Mostly around town distances, but sometimes a full day ride.

 

[back alley]

tim, do a search, i'm sure there is a long thread on this already.

 

[aad]

I just put it in my pocket.

 

[MartinP]

I used to put the camera in a CCS padded camera cover/bag, then put that in the tank-bag. The tank-bag had a waterproof liner of course.

There are the usual series of compromises between accessibility, weather-resistance and physical safety of the camera.

Alternatively, did you ever see those sky-diving cams ? Taped to the camera-operators crash helmet . . . ?!

 

[FrankS]

Tank bag with lots of padding.

 

[VictorM.]

Make a tank bag insert with dividers out of camping foam and duct tape (or hot glue). Here's my Nikon insert (can't find the similar Leica version). This camera, lenses and other stuff I carried in the tank bag survived a trip from Toronto to Chicago, then down Route 66 to New Mexico and back. Weather ranged from cold and very wet to very very hot. The bag rode on the tank of a 1985 Honda 750 Sabre at cruising speeds up to about 95mph.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

A helium balloon? You must be kidding!
You will need to use a hot air balloon.
I guess you forgot about overpasses... 😉

Chris

 

[Jeremy Z]

VictorM, great job with that!

The best solution to this question will depend on the luggage setup of your motorcycle.

I agree that carrying anything hard on one's person, or even in a bag on one's person is a very bad idea. (think broken back & paralysis due to landing on your rangefinder)

On my FJR1300, I would carry a small RF, like the Olympus 35RC or XA in the fairing glove compartment. (see attachment)

On my Honda Metropolitan, (scooter) I would carry a bigger one under the seat.

If your Guzzi is naked, I think the best thing would be to have something very small & flat (like an Olympus XA or Stylus Epic) in a chest pocket of your jacket. Otherwise a small tankbag or tailbag would be a good place. IMO, saddlebags on that bike would ruin the lines of it, not to mention the aerodynamics.

BTW, if you get a magnetic tankbag, be VERY careful not to scratch the tank. I did on on the FJR, it and broke my heart. The magnets attracted some tiny bit of ferrous metal and put a nice gouch in the paint when I took it off one time.

 

[M4streetshooter]

I have a Tamrac Velocity bag and I attach it to the saddle bag bracket on my Harley. I very rarely use saddlebags but the brackets are great for things like camera bags. The Velocity is small and I converted the sholder strap to a waist strap.....with the strap and 2 pieces of double sided velcro....it works fine....my website has pics of the brackets and you can see how easy it is to attach anything to them....don

 

[ferider]

I don't like tank bags. Bother me during the ride and scratch up the tank.

If I want to ride wo saddle-bags, I take my XA in my pocket.

Otherwise a padded bag inside the saddle bag (normally carry only one). For serious shooting (1 or two bodies and several lenses, sometimes a tripod), I need space to put my leather, anyways, don't like to run around in chaps carrying a camera bag. Plus, a saddle bag can be locked (mine anyways), lowers the point of gravity of the bike, and makes the camera invisible.

Roland.

 

[TimBonzi]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your responses. I think I'll go for a padded bag (special padding per VictorM) and place it my saddlebag. Happy riding!

 

[y4m4]

I don't like tank bags. Bother me during the ride and scratch up the tank.

One thing you can do to combat this is use clear contact paper on the tank. Sure this will leave some residue when you remove it but residue is easier to clean than clear coat is to replace.

 

[M4streetshooter]

One thing you can do to combat this is use clear contact paper on the tank. Sure this will leave some residue when you remove it but residue is easier to clean than clear coat is to replace.

Hmmmmmm clear contact paper on my Harley......Hmmmmm

 

[georgefspencer]

I don't like tank bags. Bother me during the ride and scratch up the tank. If I want to ride wo saddle-bags, I take my XA in my pocket.Roland.

I don't like tank bags either so I put my cameras in my saddle bags. If I am going to ride without saddle bags I wear a butt pack and put my camera in that.

 

[VictorM.]

Why worry about scratches? 😀

 

[ChrisPlatt]

You'll regret not going with the hot air balloon idea.

Chris

 

[y4m4]

Hmmmmmm clear contact paper on my Harley......Hmmmmm

Even Corbin reccomends it, http://www.corbin.com/honda/valkbags.shtml

It sounds like waxing your bike before applying it could make it even easier to take off: " If you wax the area before applying the protective layer, the tape or contact paper will peel off easily later." http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/motorcycle_packing_tips/

Its heartbreaking to see pretty paint get all scratched up. My father's Streer Rod had one of those mini tank bras on and nothing touched it; still scratched the clear coat. One of the smartest things I've done was trade my YZF600R for a Suzuki DRZ-400SM... gotta love not worrying about a bike when you park it on hot pavement.

I guess its similar to why I just picked up a Yashica GSN, I don't like the idea of lugging my DSLR or FE2 around all the time.

 

[grizzz]

I don't have saddlebags on either of my bikes. I got a duffel bag from HD that slides over the sissy bar. The bag can rest on the back of your seat (if you have a 2 pass seat) or on a luggage rack if you have that. I wrap whatever camera I'm carying inside of a large towel. This gives the camera great protection and the bag with a big towel becomes a nice back rest. It has two straps to hold it securely. The bag is overpriced for what it is but it does work great. I actually have 2 bikes. One in MD and one in FL. This bag doubles as my carry on bag when I travel between the 2 states.

 

[40oz]

You'll regret not going with the hot air balloon idea.

Chris

I think helium's the only rational answer to this dilemma. But do us all a favor and paint a cartoon missile on the balloon.

 

[Jeremy Z]

One of the smartest things I've done was trade my YZF600R for a Suzuki DRZ-400SM... gotta love not worrying about a bike when you park it on hot pavement.

...but if you take longer or higher speed rides, I bet you long for the YZF. the DRZ has a thin, dirtbike seat and no wind protection.

I guess its similar to why I just picked up a Yashica GSN, I don't like the idea of lugging my DSLR or FE2 around all the time.

That's not really a valid argument, unless you choose to lug lenses around too. The GSN is bigger and probably heavier than an FE2 w/50mm f/1.8. So hopefully, there are other reasons besides the lugging. 😉