Carrying camera in motorcycle tailpack

dubcat

dubcat

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Amir
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I prefer to use a tail pack on my motorcycle rather than a backpack. This is a bag that is strapped to the pillion seat. As such it does not benefit from my spine and squishy bottom as a shock absorber which a backpack would. I was wondering if anyone carries their camera gear in a tail pack and whether there may be any adverse effects from vibrations?
 
plenty of cushioning, I had a suzuki TL1000R and found that if I added the pillion cowling (to convert into single rider) - I could pack it full of foam then put the camera in there safely, bikes do vibrate a lot but it depends on the squish, I had my bike pretty much on the hard setting and never had trouble with a 1D3 or 5D in there (sold the bike last year unfortunately)
 
TL is an epic ride :) Mine's a CBR-600F2. I specifically didn't do the faux single seat cowl thing because the seat surface provides a nice grippy surface for my tailpack to sit on. Good to know that you didn't have any issues with vibrations. Probably won't bother taking a tripod with me as I can't think of a good way to carry it on the bike, unless you have a suggestion :)

Getting another ride?
 
Mines a different type of bike a Suzuki 1250 bandit with luggage but I put a piece of foam in the bottom of the box then camera bag goes on top
Works a treat
Would have thought that you could do the same with your tailpack
 
I always used to carry a camera in a rucksack bungeed onto the pillion seat/cowling with no extra foam or protection and no camera ever missed a beat. That was on a 600 Bandit and a ZX7R.
 
Someone posted up a pretty cool custom tank bag thread (which could also sit on the tail) with foam insets etc that looked pretty slick.

Was a while back mind you... might be searchable?
 
I feel happier with mine in a tankbag, it does just seem better to be able to see it is there and secure, and I suspect the more central position is less jiggly over bumps.
I once came off (gently) on a mountain pass in Switzerland and It was fine in the bag there.

Also it's easier to just grab for a quick park and fire shot, you might be able to arrange it so you only need undo the bag zip without even getting off.
You will have to get off with it on the back, which becomes a dis-incentive to even use it on a day out.

Tankbags often convert into a reasonable shoulder bag and are easy to take off and keep with you for security
 
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I'd stick some foam in the side that goes down to prevent hard surface vibrations, but other than that you should be fine.

Anything is better than carrying hard things in a rucksack on your back - that's really not a clever idea!

I used to carry my laptop bungie'd to the pillion on my bike to work and back every day without any problems, but never tried a camera. My biking days were over before I started to need that.
 
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