Bingley
Veteran
Frank, When you get to CA please let us know. Happy to meet up with you in Sacto or the Bay Area.
Gear selection for retirement motorcycle trip
- Thread starter FrankS
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Would it not make sense to have a set of Krauser frames fitted to the Honda so you can use the hardsides off the BMs? Frances and I wouldn't consider touring without 'em. Our last long trip was to Estonia and back, via Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
As for cameras, I've carried Leicas in a Held tank-bag for many, many years: a layer of foam at the bottom of the bag kills vibration. Another useful accessory is a PacSafe: http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-55l-bag-protector
Cheers,
R.
As for cameras, I've carried Leicas in a Held tank-bag for many, many years: a layer of foam at the bottom of the bag kills vibration. Another useful accessory is a PacSafe: http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-55l-bag-protector
Cheers,
R.
There is a good home cooked meal waiting for you in CT if you bike steers a little bit east on your way south through NY.
I am thinking one camera, one lens (maybe two lenses) by the way. A minimalist more and more when I travel.
I am thinking one camera, one lens (maybe two lenses) by the way. A minimalist more and more when I travel.
Rodchenko
Olympian
Sounds like a fantastic adventure!
I'm a cycle camper, rather than a motorised one, so I like to pack light. But there's limited luggage capacity on a motorbike, so space is at a premium.
Taking two different systems is nonsensical. Leica M & lens for most photography, and something to back it up. Here's what I'd have in my kit (ideally - I don't own all of these):
Leica M
28mm
40mm
90mm
Leica CL as spare body or Olympus 35SP.
Decent digital compact. Canon Powershot or similar.
Batteries, film etc are a given. Oh - and a couple of spare lens caps. And a good cleaning kit. I'd carry one wrist strap and one wrist strap, with qr connectors (I use OpTech) for lightweight flexibility. Mail spent film home when shot (or direct to your developers if you don't do them yourself).
Make sure you know (or have a useful website showing) the locations of decent camera shops on or near the route, as well as sources of film.
Arrange poste restante for picking up film and other kit further down the road.
And relax, enjoy it, don't be too worried about pressing on. On the bike, I often see something, think 'That'd be a nice photo', but not stop. Set your itinerary so if you want to get off and sit for an hour to get the light right on a mountain, you can.
It'll be great.
I'm a cycle camper, rather than a motorised one, so I like to pack light. But there's limited luggage capacity on a motorbike, so space is at a premium.
Taking two different systems is nonsensical. Leica M & lens for most photography, and something to back it up. Here's what I'd have in my kit (ideally - I don't own all of these):
Leica M
28mm
40mm
90mm
Leica CL as spare body or Olympus 35SP.
Decent digital compact. Canon Powershot or similar.
Batteries, film etc are a given. Oh - and a couple of spare lens caps. And a good cleaning kit. I'd carry one wrist strap and one wrist strap, with qr connectors (I use OpTech) for lightweight flexibility. Mail spent film home when shot (or direct to your developers if you don't do them yourself).
Make sure you know (or have a useful website showing) the locations of decent camera shops on or near the route, as well as sources of film.
Arrange poste restante for picking up film and other kit further down the road.
And relax, enjoy it, don't be too worried about pressing on. On the bike, I often see something, think 'That'd be a nice photo', but not stop. Set your itinerary so if you want to get off and sit for an hour to get the light right on a mountain, you can.
It'll be great.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Think I mentioned this once before, but it might be a good idea to join the AMA. Then you'll have free roadside assistance should anything go wrong.
paulfish4570
Veteran
i'd go with the CL. you probably ought to ship your film home to a friend as you go along. the south and the desert in july and august will not be kind to emulsions ... 🙂
FrankS
Registered User
Roger, I will look into installing the Krauser hard bags on the Honda. Rear turn signals will have to be moved.
ktmrider
Well-known
Motorcycle Luggage
Motorcycle Luggage
Might want to check out wolfman motorcycle luggage. He makes some great stuff and it is waterproof. Mine has weathered two trips to Alaska and back from El Paso. And the tankbag and tank panniers live permanently on my GSA holding tools for adventure touring.
Motorcycle Luggage
Might want to check out wolfman motorcycle luggage. He makes some great stuff and it is waterproof. Mine has weathered two trips to Alaska and back from El Paso. And the tankbag and tank panniers live permanently on my GSA holding tools for adventure touring.
goamules
Well-known
Long distance motorcycling? Been there, done that. Here is my rig from 1989, way down Baja. I spent 6 weeks in Mexico with my girlfriend in the pic, now my wife. Used a Minolta hi-matic AF2 to take this and all the pics on the trip. Never needed a "backup" camera. And I used it in the Navy, at sea, and in 11 different countries too. It never took a bad pic, and the autofocus and small size was great for travel or snapping pictures while riding!
FrankS
Registered User
Garrett, what Beemer is that?
Godfrey
somewhat colored
My motorcycle film camera kit that traveled around Japan, the USA, the UK, and Europe several times, was one of :
Never saw much need for a backup. Just keep the photo gear in a good bag (Domke F5XB for the larger two kits, a good neoprene pouch for the Rollei 35S) and secure it such that it is not vibrated to death by the motorcycle. Never had a single failure on the road in 400,000 miles of riding and carrying photo gear.
The middle setup is what I went to the UK with again this past Spring, only with the M9 body this time. The bottom setup, changing the Rollei 35S for the Leica X2, is what I went with to NY for a week this Summer.
G
- Nikon FM + 21/50/85 or 105
- Leica M4-P + 35/50/90
- Rollei 35S (Sonnar 40)
Never saw much need for a backup. Just keep the photo gear in a good bag (Domke F5XB for the larger two kits, a good neoprene pouch for the Rollei 35S) and secure it such that it is not vibrated to death by the motorcycle. Never had a single failure on the road in 400,000 miles of riding and carrying photo gear.
The middle setup is what I went to the UK with again this past Spring, only with the M9 body this time. The bottom setup, changing the Rollei 35S for the Leica X2, is what I went with to NY for a week this Summer.
G
FrankS
Registered User
Thank you for the offer ktmrider. I'll have to,see if I get as far south as Le Paso.
No more camping for these old bones, axiom!
Brian, I've got to go with what I've got, and there is no Bessa in the collection.
I'll send out a get together wish when I get close to CA, Steve.
Rover, that will have to be another trip.
Rodchenko, I'm all about enjoying the moment, not about pressing on regardless.
AMA is a great idea, thank you Vince!
Posting film home along the way is also a good idea, thanks Paul.
Ktmrider, my budget is super tight, wanting to spend as much time on the road as possible, so new motorcycle luggage is not in the cards for me.
Godfrey, thanks for your input. A second camera brings peace of mind. Priceless.
No more camping for these old bones, axiom!
Brian, I've got to go with what I've got, and there is no Bessa in the collection.
I'll send out a get together wish when I get close to CA, Steve.
Rover, that will have to be another trip.
Rodchenko, I'm all about enjoying the moment, not about pressing on regardless.
AMA is a great idea, thank you Vince!
Posting film home along the way is also a good idea, thanks Paul.
Ktmrider, my budget is super tight, wanting to spend as much time on the road as possible, so new motorcycle luggage is not in the cards for me.
Godfrey, thanks for your input. A second camera brings peace of mind. Priceless.
3rdtrick
Well-known
Frank,
I always carry both Leica and Nikon systems but I always travel by car. In your case I like the idea of the CL with the CV21. I think you will use the 21 more than you expect. If you could somehow add a DR to the kit that would be awesome. When you head south, Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are nice alternatives to I-81. The Natural Bridge Hotel is a nice stopover and was quite reasonable in price. If you want to go east a bit thought North Carolina, there is a great motorcycle museum in Maggie Vally and check out The Tail of the Dragon or the Cherahola Skyway. Chattanooga is pretty especially if you go up Lookout Mountain. "See Rock City" You can go west through Nashville, stop at Monteagle on the way or go through Huntsville AL, 'Rocket City' where there is the space museum. Mississippi is fields of underwear (cotton) for as far as you can see. Tunica is where the casinos are and Graceland in Memphis is worth seeing even if you are not a fan and Beale street is the home of the Blues. I am sure others will help you head west from there. Enjoy your trip.
Pete
I always carry both Leica and Nikon systems but I always travel by car. In your case I like the idea of the CL with the CV21. I think you will use the 21 more than you expect. If you could somehow add a DR to the kit that would be awesome. When you head south, Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are nice alternatives to I-81. The Natural Bridge Hotel is a nice stopover and was quite reasonable in price. If you want to go east a bit thought North Carolina, there is a great motorcycle museum in Maggie Vally and check out The Tail of the Dragon or the Cherahola Skyway. Chattanooga is pretty especially if you go up Lookout Mountain. "See Rock City" You can go west through Nashville, stop at Monteagle on the way or go through Huntsville AL, 'Rocket City' where there is the space museum. Mississippi is fields of underwear (cotton) for as far as you can see. Tunica is where the casinos are and Graceland in Memphis is worth seeing even if you are not a fan and Beale street is the home of the Blues. I am sure others will help you head west from there. Enjoy your trip.
Pete
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Oh, I understand. My inclination then would be to carry the Rollei 35S alongside any system kit.
Actually, that's what I did on my 10 week sabbatical in the UK and Europe in 1996 ... Leica M4-P plus meter and three lenses, and the Rollei 35S as well. 🙂
G
FrankS
Registered User
Thanks for your pointers, Pete!
Blue ridge and skyline are on my list. I'm planning on staying off interstates completely.
Blue ridge and skyline are on my list. I'm planning on staying off interstates completely.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Frank, if you change your mind and decided to swing down to Dallas, a good barbeque is on the menu, my treat.
FrankS
Registered User
Thank you Will!
Spicy
Well-known
Rollei 35S is a great idea as long as someone has one/is familiar with one. Scale focus (no focusing aids) means that vibrations really have nothing to throw out of adjustment on the body. They are small (if a little heavy, but very well made and a pleasure to use), and the lens is an absolute gem (shame it isn't a tiiiiny bit faster), especially with color film.
Film ISO meter goes up to 1600, fully manual controls, an aperture that is nearly infinitely adjustable, and a handy little film reminder dial.
I really love the controls (set up perfectly for pre-adjusting/shooting from the hip), and never really understood why people complain about how different they are and they are impossible to adjust to, unless you mainly shoot with a flash.
Film ISO meter goes up to 1600, fully manual controls, an aperture that is nearly infinitely adjustable, and a handy little film reminder dial.
I really love the controls (set up perfectly for pre-adjusting/shooting from the hip), and never really understood why people complain about how different they are and they are impossible to adjust to, unless you mainly shoot with a flash.
goamules
Well-known
Frank, the bike in the pic is an 87 BMW R80 with a Parabellum fairing. I had it for over a decade, bought it in Hawaii in the Navy, rode it coast to coast and down baja and all over Mexico. Good bike, totally reliable, not quite enough power. Sold it for a Honda ST1100, tons of power, just as comfortable. Sold that too about 15 years ago, nothing now. But mules!
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