Safe to Take DSLR on Motorcycle?

[dlpoling47]

I have a new Nikon D5100 and thought I'd take it with me on my next bike trip, but wondered if there would be a problem with the vibration over a long haul. The camera and lens would be in the original carry tote, stored in my Harley's tour pack (large fiberglass storage case over rear wheel). I will cover about 5,000 miles over two weeks.

I can't find anything on-line, in Nikon's website, or the camera's instruction manual on vibration damage / precautions other than the standard "don't drop it" warnings.

Anyone with experience out there who can tell me take it along or leave it at home?

Thanks!

[sk66]

It's safer than taking it in a kayak.
As long as you make it, the camera should.

[veritasimagery]

I've got on '07 Sportster and carry my Canon T3i in a small, but well padded, tank bag and have had no problems. So, I don't see any problems in the Tour Pack. It actually might be better in one of the side bags, but either way should be fine.

[autofocus]

If you were to keep the camera and lens in there original box with all the packaging material around it I would think it should be alright. Obviously, these things bounce around a lot in transit on boats, planes, and trucks when they are shipped from the OEM, and somehow always manage to survive. Good camera bags also could offer some cushioning protection. If this were me, I would take it, but this is only my opinion and not based on any documented test data. 5000 miles on a Harley...I'd be more concerned about my a$$ (BTW, I used to ride)

[UlpilotSC]

I'd be more concerned if I were mailing it. I've been in a sorting facility where they are taking the "fragile" boxes and chucking them across the room into the big "fragile" bin.

[SwissJon]

So long as its in a padded camera bag, it'll be fine, carry mine on my Yami all the time, mind you those HD's do rattle a bit more than the Jap bikes! Doing 5,000 miles over 2 weeks on a Hog.. I think you need to worry more about your bike!

[DanielLane]

I carried one of my old cameras around on a bike trip of almost 9k miles. Worked fine for years after that trip. I was sadly killed in a beach accident not too long ago...

[autofocus]

I was sadly killed in a beach accident not too long ago...

WTF? Did you mean "it" instead of "I" dude?

[CurlyCorry]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

So long as its in a padded camera bag, it'll be fine, carry mine on my Yami all the time, mind you those HD's do rattle a bit more than the Jap bikes! Doing 5,000 miles over 2 weeks on a Hog.. I think you need to worry more about your bike!

B O L!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Bursting out laughing) and no sarcasm here!!!!

[WooD]

I kept mine in leather saddle bags on my Harley with no worries. With fiberglass, I would probably wrap it in a towel to dampen the vibration.