Carrying gear on a motorbike

[Slenver]

I'm off on a 2-week roadtrip soon and need a bag. I'll have a magnetic tankbag which I could easily add dividers to and turn into a camera bag but I'm worried by vibration, as well as the fact that it would be cumbersome to carry around off the bike when I've dumped the luggage and just have the cameras to carry.

The Lowepro Slingshots seem good although if there was a good way of avoiding having to wear a rucksack all day on the bike I'd leap at it.

Anyone got any experience of this or suggestions? I'll probably be taking a body and 3 medium-sized lenses as well as a few leads, filters etc and a Gorillapod, so doesn't have to be too big but needs to be comfortable and practical both on and off the bike.

[JWright]

It would help to know what kind of a bike you are riding and how it's accessorized. I carry my cameras and lenses in the trunk and saddlebags of my 1982 GoldWing touring bike all the time and vibration has never bothered them.

[Slenver]

It'll be a rented Harley Sportster 883. I believe it should come with saddlebags. I'd have thought that things would be ok in there but not sure of a good way of storing them..

[Cyclop]

If you are renting a HD, particularly that model, I would be concerned about what the undue vibration transmitted through the tankbag would have on my camera equipment. My suggestion would be to carry your gear on your person via backpack or courier bag.
Try Aerostitch, the company has an array of different size courier bags that should be helpful.

[Cyclop]

My goof. Correction, www.aerostich.com.
:^)

[Slenver]

If you are renting a HD, particularly that model, I would be concerned about what the undue vibration transmitted through the tankbag would have on my camera equipment. My suggestion would be to carry your gear on your person via backpack or courier bag.
Try Aerostitch, the company has an array of different size courier bags that should be helpful.
Thanks :)

[Cyclop]

You are most welcome Slenver. Just as an after thought, you may also want to consider the TENBA laptop messenger bag. This bag is very versatile and contains a padded 3-section photo insert to house/protect lenses. I have this bag and it is well constructed.
Good luck and have a safe trip!

[neil_r]

I have carried my camera gear on several Harleys. I had a Street Bob and strapped my Billingham bag directly to the pad that was laughingly called the back seat, I now hust shove it in the topbox of my Ultra Classic EG. I have not had any problems. Even when I rode sports bikes I hated carrying a backpack and would doo all that I could to avoide it.

Both the Street Bob and the Electra Glide do not have balanced engines so the vibration is there but has, to date, had no affect on my cameras or lenses.

[Slenver]

You are most welcome Slenver. Just as an after thought, you may also want to consider the TENBA laptop messenger bag. This bag is very versatile and contains a padded 3-section photo insert to house/protect lenses. I have this bag and it is well constructed.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
Will have a look at that, thanks.

[Slenver]

I have carried my camera gear on several Harleys. I had a Street Bob and strapped my Billingham bag directly to the pad that was laughingly called the back seat, I now hust shove it in the topbox of my Ultra Classic EG. I have not had any problems. Even when I rode sports bikes I hated carrying a backpack and would doo all that I could to avoide it.

Both the Street Bob and the Electra Glide do not have balanced engines so the vibration is there but has, to date, had no affect on my cameras or lenses.
I'd rather avoid a rucksack on a bike at any time, but we'll be in Cali/Utah/Arizona in August so it's one more way of guaranteeing getting too hot too.

I assume that vibration will vary throughout the bike. The frame and tank would be worst presumably but the seat could be ok. Maybe I'll get something like the Lowepro anyway which would be good for carrying around and then strap it to the seat when riding. This is what I've done before with a standard rucksack (without camera gear though) and it's been ok, though looking at photos of the Harley there's not exactly much room as you say.

I can just feel those beads of sweat trickling down my back already... :)