Carrying a camera on a Motorcycle

[Justice75]

Any motorcycle riders have any recommendations for a smaller bag to carry on a bike? I carry all of my gear in a backpack now but I really would like to find something smaller that would fit down inside of my saddlebags. I have been just wrapping the camera up in a towel and putting it in a saddlebag but it would be nice and safer to have it in a padded camera bag and somewhat weather resistant. Plus nicer once I get to my location to have a bag as well. I was thinking about the H-14 (holster). Anyone care to share how they carry their camera on their motorcycle.

Thanks,
Justice75

[Ebbz]

I have an H-D Ultra Classic. I bought the 6 Million Dollar bag and it fits nicely in the tour pack. The back provides all the padding I'll need and the bag is also available should I want to carry some other gear as well.

Rick

Any motorcycle riders have any recommendations for a smaller bag to carry on a bike? I carry all of my gear in a backpack now but I really would like to find something smaller that would fit down inside of my saddlebags. I have been just wrapping the camera up in a towel and putting it in a saddlebag but it would be nice and safer to have it in a padded camera bag and somewhat weather resistant. Plus nicer once I get to my location to have a bag as well. I was thinking about the H-14 (holster). Anyone care to share how they carry their camera on their motorcycle.

Thanks,
Justice75

[number six]

I carry mine in a tankbag. Much handier - I can grab it and shoot without dismounting. If I'm in a dangerous spot I can even grab and shoot while still wearing helmet and gloves.

274953

The foam is from a local foam shop. This is an old pic - currently I carry a 30D.

-js

[King of Canada]

How about this?

http://www.sailingtexas.com/Movies/052506AustinVeloway/pic052506david.jpg

[AutoXer]

I have a Tamrac Expedition 3 backpack that holds my "motorcycle kit" - a camera body, 18-28 and 28-200 zooms, 50m macro, 8-12 rolls of film, and filters. Yamaha makes a tailbag for the FZ6 that probably fits many other bikes since it has built-in straps that wrap under the seat to secure it. The Tamrac is an absolute perfect fit inside it. Its the best way I've found to carry the camera securely yet have it at the ready when I get off the bike.

[tristanmb81]

I have a backpack style and I almost lost all off my gears, b/c the zipper worked its way open. Luckily, other commuters were honking at me about my backpack. I pulled over and the first thing that fell out was my 50mm 1.8 L and nothing else "thank goodness". Lesson learned, I will never travel with all of my gears again on a motorcycle.

[ALaS]

Lowepro Slingshot AW 200. it's not to small, but not to big. Jansport makes a pretty small backpack too for camera gear.

[AutoXer]

TRISTANMB81's experience is why I put together a kit specifically for motorcycling. I wanted an "extra" outfit that didn't matter (well, not too much) if it got tossed down the road in a get-off and that would survive the general punishment of motorcycling (the outfit has in fact survived one high-side get-off - trust me, being airborn looking DOWN at your bike is not a good time). Thus I use a rugged mechanical film camera (Olympus OM, bought used) and also bought my wide angle zoom used. My "good" camera kit (Canon Digital and lenses) stays safely at home.

[number six]

I'd like to mention that a backpack full of hard bits is a bad idea on a motorcycle - the possibilities of injury in a fall are obvious.

That's why I use a tankbag. And a back protector in my leathers.

-js

[Rudy M.]

Road bike or dirt bike? Saddle bags are not the way to go with dirt bikes on long single track rides--but then I would not take a DSLR on that type of ride!

[Justice75]

Road bike or dirt bike? Saddle bags are not the way to go with dirt bikes on long single track rides--but then I would not take a DSLR on that type of ride!
Thanks for the responses everyone. It is a cruiser, Suzuki Boulevard C90. I was just looking for some type of smaller bag to fit down inside my leather saddlebags. I didn't want to take a chance of strapping my backpack to the bike and I wouldn't be comfortable wearing a backpack while riding either. Still haven't made my mind up. Still leaning toward the Kata H14. I need to measure my saddlebags to see how well it will fit.

Justice75

[ALaS]

Buy a G9!?