We've recently caught the riding bug.
Just learning how to ride - purchased a 2003 Volusia (we take possession on Thursday).
I am wondering how many of you all also ride motorcycles and how you combine that with photography. Like - how do you best transport your camera equipment?
Our new bike has saddlebags (though, not sure how large they are yet) - but not sure if my 70-200 would be safe there.
I have a 2002 harley road king, and they have saddle bags. So long as your camera is off, and I always wrap the camera/lens in a blanket for extra protection, you should be fine. Then again, I can fit my entire bag into the saddlebags also.
Yoou should be fine if you wrap it in a blanket of osme sorts to give it some extra padding.
It depends on how much of my gear I need... A lot of the time I just use a tank bag that I sort of adapted to hold my camera... If I need more gear I'll just use my back pack. Only problem with that is if you have second rider it won't work.
Are the saddlebags hard, so they won't cave in if you crash and drop the bike? That's what I'd be worried about.. bad enough to tear up your clothes, scratch the finish and possibly break the bars/lever/etc, but if your camera got broken too that would suck.
I've ridden for years with a camera.
I did a 4500 mile trip and didn't have any problems. I take all my lenses, charger, etc.
I use a Pelican case on my luggage rack.
//www.pelican-case.com/photincas.html They have some really nice cases. Depends on how much you want to spend.
I've hauled my gear all over the country on my ol' Honda ST1100...
I've done trips from the Upper Midwest to the East Coast, Southwest, and South, sometimes covering 1200+ miles in a day, and 4000+ miles in a week.
My camera bag resides in one of the saddle bags, and is supported by a foam pad on the bottom. It's important that things cannot rattle around, even within the bag. Things that can rub against each other due to vibration/road bumps will inevitably lead to scuffing of finish and perhaps more serious damage. Packing is key.
I rode a Honda 600RR and carried my stuff in a bag on my back. I wouldn't advice it though :D
but sports bikes don't have much to offer for luggage anyway
Are the saddlebags hard, so they won't cave in if you crash and drop the bike? That's what I'd be worried about.. bad enough to tear up your clothes, scratch the finish and possibly break the bars/lever/etc, but if your camera got broken too that would suck.
No, bags are soft-side leather - though, they do look stiff. Just not protective.
I like the the idea of the pelican option for the luggage rack.
I've ridden for years with a camera.
I did a 4500 mile trip and didn't have any problems. I take all my lenses, charger, etc.
I use a Pelican case on my luggage rack.
//www.pelican-case.com/photincas.html They have some really nice cases. Depends on how much you want to spend.
HD 2003-Heritage
Thanks for the suggestion - those look like a good option (especially being waterproof).
I know I should be more protective over my camera and am not...i usually have a few extra leathers stuffed in the saddle bags of my husbands bike and then my camera sits right on top in case (at any moment) i feel that pulling out my camera is a good idea!!!
but i usually have just one lense with me...because i don't like to sit there and change my lenses back and forth!!! i am a back seat snapper if you will!
Augghh...all you riders with hard bags. I've ridden for about 10 years, and never had more than soft luggage. I've taken along my point-and-shoot A70 in a backpack or tankbag (and plastic baggies in case of rain). I especially like kirbic's ST.
I've had a '82 Yamaha Seca 650, an '87 Honda VFR700, a '93 Honda CBR600, and currently ride an '87 CBR 1000 Hurricane (appropiately-named for living in central Florida). Givi has yet to answer two emails asking if they have a hard bag and mount that would work with my bike.
I purchased myself the BMW F650GS back in June (afer without a bike for 5 some years). I picked it because of its ability to go on and off road touring. Lots of accessory choices (expensive hard sided saddlebags). Right now I have a tail bag that is just big enough to carry my gear.
Recent run up to some WAY backroads
