Filming/Riding A Motorcycle
 

I'm a biker first, amateur videographer second.

I thought it would be great to do a movie about the motorcycle experience. Rallies, Runs, people, etc.

One thing I would like to do is shoot footage while I'm riding my bike, but I'm not sure how/where to support the camera.

To get a rider's perspective, I'm thinking the camera should be about shoulder height. A camera attached to a helmet would be too high, shooting over the windsheild.

The camera would have to be anchored to me, not the bike. Too many vibrations if mounted to the bike's body.

Any suggestions how I might go about this?

The only thing I can think of at the moment is some sort of shoulder harness, but I haven't a clue as to how it might be configured.

Thanks for your help.

What camera do you have?

<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Loh : What camera do you have? -->>>

Oops...sorry....

It's a Sony TRV-27. It's very small, as you probably know already.

As I said, biker first, videographer (very loose use of the term...apologies all around) second.

I had a Canon GL2, but had to sell it to raise some $$$ in a hurry. Looking to get a Panasonic DVX100 in a few weeks.

For right now, the camera under discussion will be the TRV-27.

I'm not sure how small your camcorder is but for a smaller easier to mount unit is here: http://www.helmetcamera.com/

The camera connects to your camcorder's inputs and records on it so you can stow it safely in a backpack. They show helmet mounting/on the bike on the site but if you wanted a shoulder level view maybe you could build/have built a bracket to bolt on the helmet that would extend down in the front.

Good Luck,
Huey

Steve,

Shot some riding video last weekend with a GL2. Here's what I learned.
1. No way do I want to operate a cam and be responsible for safe operation of the bike at the same time. I have shot using a LCD and/or a viewfinder while driving a car BUT it's a whole different world on a bike. In my case, I drove the bike and had a second person operate the cam. Considered having them sit backwards on the bike but that would require some sort of foot pegs almost behind the bike for safety so we didn't do that.
2. Multiply the vibration you would expect by 2 or 3 times. Not only do you have the motion induced by the road, you have engine induced (ok, my Harley isn't the smoothest engine in the world) PLUS wind. Turns out the wind is one of the most difficult to counteract if you're hand holding. Some form of mount that had a tripod head at the top would sure have been helpful in that respect.
3. If you're shooting other bikes, you'll want/need a wide angle lens or big open roads.
4. Audio is a big challange when your mic is exposed to both 70 MPH wind and 1450cc's exhaling through Python 3 exhausts. I tried a ME66 w Rycote(don't bother), the on cam mic with a foam wind screen and a RE58 stick. Could have done more experimenting using the Mic Attn in the GL2 and low cut but didn't get a chance. As is was, the audio is clearly a motorcycle, and LOTs of wind.

Bottom line in my case was SAFETY drives a lot of the decisions when shooting from a bike.

You'll need the smallest monopod you can find. Weight the bottom a bit... maybe a pound or so. Don't get the CHEAPEST monopod, just a short one... or else get a dowel rod and FIRMLY mount a 1/4" stud (or cut off bolt) in the top with a fender washer so that your cam is 100% firmly put on that stick. Bogen makes a monopod for about $50 which should work good.

If you don't get the center of gravity off that cam you'll NEVER get watchable video.

You should expect to use a passenger for any trv-27 shots... I'd seriously look into a "bullet-cam" for some interesting stuff to cut to... such as mounting on the forks, facing backwards, on the bars and facing YOU... that kind of thing.

At least with sportbikes, everything I've just said is how they get the solid footage you see on some of those nutty videos.

If you want good sound then get a lav and put it in a small funnel (like a 40 cent one from walmart's "kitchen" department)... then face that so the pointy end is into the wind and the other end opens up to you and the bike... or else run a wire down and mount that near the bars... you'll still need a windscreen on it, but that'll get you 80% of the way there.

Good luck and ride safe. (R1 guy here, but I love hogs too.)

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I looked at the helmetcamera website, and for now it seems like the safest route to follow.

I'm going to try and place the cam directly behind the windshield, so the wind factor should be lessoned somewhat. The runs I've been in of late have not exceeded 45mph, which helps with the wind.

Really hadn't thought through all the safety issues, and agree safety is the first concern.

My Harley and I thank all of you who have responded. I'll post some of the footage in a couple weeks.

Thanks again, and ride safe :-).

Steve I have done a few videos over the past 2 years from my bike. I recently got the helmet camera and I love it. I have also used tank mounts also. Look here to see 2 of your options with tank mounts http://www.tricktape.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=234&1=337&2=-1&6=1

I have the one with the suction cups and i would not advise using just the suction cups. I tied mine down to make sure it wouldnt go any place. I have some clips on my website taken from the tank mount if you would like to see them. www.f4daddy.com is the site and the vidoe page has one on there called gumbo 2k2 there are some shots that show the dash of the bike and the bike in front of me a little ways off. I think that might be the kind of shot u want.

Oh i ride a 2000 Honda F4 but u give me the keys to any bike youll be lucky if i come back :)

Email me if you have any questions. pmoore156@yahoo.com

If I Only Had A Brain...
 

That's good to hear. I enjoyed looking at the footage.

I went out yesterday, all geared up, and ready to shoot some great shots. Hopped on the bike, went down some scenic, back country roads, then came home ready to see the results.

When I was unhooking all the wires (there are a lot of them) I discovered I had not plugged the helmetcam into the power supply. @#$#$$#!!!

Well, at least I had a great ride.

Will try again today. This time with power.

Ride safe.

Re: If I Only Had A Brain...
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Steve Febbraro : That's good to hear. I enjoyed looking at the footage.

I went out yesterday, all geared up, and ready to shoot some great shots. Hopped on the bike, went down some scenic, back country roads, then came home ready to see the results.

When I was unhooking all the wires (there are a lot of them) I discovered I had not plugged the helmetcam into the power supply. @#$#$$#!!!

Well, at least I had a great ride.

Will try again today. This time with power.

Ride safe. -->>>

Hey i have been there also. There are lots of connections to make on that thing. I nomally view it threw the camera before i take off now.

one alternative is www.viosport.com

i don't have one of these but am seriously considering it, i have a project that it would be perfect for, put one of these on the subjects helmet, film his performance from a traditional viewpoint, film the helmet cam with my mini-dv sony walkman in a fanny pack under his outfit, and then cut it with a pip of the helmet cam in the same timeline as the traditional angle of his performance.

matthew

I will suggest one thing. Since I am a better rider than a camera man I will tell you that i have never considered putting the camera on my helmet. The main concern when taping from a bike is safety and to set the camera up and forget about it. You dont need any distractions on a bike.

The main reason i got the helmet camera was to use it at my track days. Then i found out the club doesnt allow cameras on track because of an incident that happend last year. I cant blame them though. I know i was doing around 140 this year at pocono so the last thing u want is to be worried about a camera and take out a bunch of other riders.

At some point this thread will probably be moved, but in the meantime:

Matt - Checked the Viospot. Almost indentical to what I have. Thanks for the link.

Paul - Am compressing the footage from my ride. It looks really good. Like you, I am a better rider than a camerman.

The only place I could think to put the camera was on my helmet. It worked very well, and I almost forgot it was there.

I put the camera, and all the wires in a fannypack I bought at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports). It was big enough for everything.

When I post the video to the web I let you know. Would appreciate feedback.

Ride Safe!

Here Ya Go!
 

Here's the link -

http://homepage.mac.com/stefeb/iMovieTheater83.html

The movie is, "Me and Harley".

Steve. I just took a look at the video. I like that :) You got some great shots from the lid. It makes me want to go out riding now.

I put the velcro strip on the side fairing of my bike and i put the camera there. I have also put it up under the rear signal lights and you might want to try putting it on the passenger pegs. I dont know if you have room or not but the front fender or up under the headlight might also work.

You might be right about the thread being moved. LOL

For all you Australian members (AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI... sorry, watching Rugby World Cup, Australia vs Argentina... I'm in 'Aussie Mode' :p), there is a service called BikeCam. Check out www.bikecam.com.au - there are VHS and miniDV models and the kit of gear (cables, cam etc) is about the size of a lunchbox. And the cam's tiny apparently.

I have been fortunate to use it for my Lady X episode ... and it's actually in the very one remaining scene I have to shoot until it is complete.

John, please re-enable my Lady X access. Thanks.

Footage looked great.

Cant wait to see your Lady X film.

Perhaps John would give me access to the Lady X Producer's Lounge again considering I have an episode mostly fllmed and, consequently, have spent a decent sum of time and money on pre-production and production to date?

Tony,
I'm the one responsible for that task. It's not going to happen and you know why. It's pointless to discuss it any further and really pointless to waste uninvolved onlookers' time with the subject here.

Good luck with your own series.

Well, I have two producers looking at it for it to be developed for cable TV so I'm not complaining and we're going through that whole process with negotiations and stuff. :) My personal crew & I have been getting some great stuff shot lately, including most of a Lady X episode so I've got a good team on my hands.

Take a look at the stickypod -- www.stickypod.com -- they have video of a motorcyclre mount it looks good to me.

I got one with a few extentions and an extra knuckle. I like i for an inexpensive car rig, maybe you will too.

The local Chief of Police has been bugging me to put a camera on some of the Traffic motorcycles.

I like the idea of the helmetcam as long as it doesn't screw up the officer's helmet. How do you mount them without using something that will damage the paint on the helmet?

Steve,

The following is a thread that also deals with the same question.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16801

Mike,

We have used the helmet cam with our bike patrol and motors. The camera and housing is light and will mount perfectly well with sticky back velcro. The adhesive will not damage the paint.

P.S.

Used the AT895 at a HEAT game. Very impressive.

RB

Thanks, Rick. Guess you survived the demonstrators too, eh?

Now I've gotta convince the chief he needs a $3500 shotgun microphone.

This was an AWESOME video!! Thanks for sharing. Please post more as you are able. Really miss my scoot during the KY winter. HD 99' FXDWG doesn't fare well on ice.

Hey I really appreciated watching Steve's video and getting in a virtual bike ride on this subfreezing winter day. Makes me miss summer, and would love to fire up my '02 FXSTD-I (Softail Deuce). OK, I'll start the engine to listen to it for a minute in the garage, but I ain't riding in 20 degree weather.

BTW, that Lynyrd Skynyrd "They Call Me the Breeze" tune was the perfect audio for this video "tour".

x-shut
 

i have my small sony hdv cam mounted on my helmet with x-shut.it works perfect.on my bike i have the remote control for on/off,start/stop.

Willkomen auf Plotzer.at

watch the demo named GABERL

best regards
fred from austria

Best that I've found is the ones that mount at the fuel filler cap. I also have a Contour HD with a suction and sticky mount.
I'll see if I can dig up some pics and vid

Just an update on the helmet cams:

The inexpensive cameras do not have color compensation and as the helmet swings around, the colors change. I tried several brands and returned them all.

These were used on helmets as the patrolmen were competing in the West Coast Harley-Davidson competion where they are timed around an obstacle course. Great video in black and white, major color balance changes when viewed in color.

These are some fun vids I did a few years ago with my cheapo Canon Elura with a .45 wide angle adapter lens on one of the gas tank mounts. Also made a trailer hitch mount which shows up in the VFR vid. Be patient with the loading as I tried to keep them as high quality as possible.
Will post the Contour Vids soon.

And yes the color does shift on the Contour but it's $300, not $2800 (Sony) or even more like the Panasonic! Does just what I need it to do.

Go to
www.yipdogstudios.com and then click on the "client area" tab