Recording your motorcycle ride has really taken off with touring fanatics, daily commuters and motovloggers. Whether you're getting some lovely views on a winding road, keeping track of those long road trips or making really compelling content yourself, picking the perfect GoPro mounts is crucial to getting very stable, excellent quality footage. While the camera itself will play its part, the mount will actually decide just how solidly set up your equipment is - and so how fully immersed your viewers are in your videos.
Thanks to a whole host of different mounting options out there, deciding on the best one can be quite daunting. Here's a guide explaining all the types of GoPro mounts, what they're used for and the most important points to consider when making that all-important decision.
Why Choosing the Right GoPro Mount Matters
A GoPro is made to tackle an adventure but without a really reliable mount even the very best action camera will give you shaky footage or represent a safety problem itself. A very well designed mount holds the camera very securely attached, minimizes vibrations and presents that view angle that will suit your riding style best.
The right mount actually also improves the rider's comfort by keeping the balance just right and stopping all unnecessary movement. Whether you are riding through city traffic or taking on mountain roads, a high-quality mounting system gives you a consistently good performance.
Different Types of GoPro Mounts for Motorcycles
Different riding styles need very different mounting systems themselves. Knowing what's out there will help you make the choice that is perfect for you.
Helmet Chin Mount
The chin bar mount is one of the most popular choices for motorcycle riders. Situated right at the front of the helmet it gives a very natural point of view - closely matching what the rider actually sees with their own eyesight.
Positioned here will give you well-balanced footage whilst greatly reducing any lateral movement. It's particularly popular among motovloggers because it accurately records all that the rider themselves witnesses.
Helmet Side Mount
A side mount will attach the camera to one side of your helmet. It offers a slightly different view point and is really good for riders looking for more imaginative camera positions.
Even though quite straightforward to put in place, side mounts could generate some extra wind resistance and cause a very small imbalance in your helmet - particularly so when you're using bigger action cameras.
Helmet Top Mount
Top-mounted cameras will give you a greater viewing angle and capture an even broader view of the road ahead. The set-up works very well indeed for touring, off-road riding and those scenic routes.
But because the camera sits rather higher on the helmet, it could find itself facing more air resistance at higher speeds.
Handlebar Mount
Handlebar mounts will securely hold your GoPro onto your motorcycle's handlebars itself. The angle it gives you will have the dashboard, handlebars and the road ahead in view - creating a really engaging riders' perspective.
Such mounts are perfect for displaying your motorcycle whilst maintaining a very stable recording position itself.
Crash Bar Mount
Crash bars offer an additional perfect spot for riders looking to achieve some truly unique low-angle shots themselves. The result is a shot which includes both the motorcycle itself and all that surrounds it - thereby producing very cinematic footage.
Since the camera will be positioned even lower down than usual, it will also create a lot of dynamic visual interest that's quite different from your typical helmet-mounted recording.
Fuel Tank Mount
Riders who prefer placing their camera on the motorcycle's fuel tank use adhesives or suction-based systems for this purpose. Such an arrangement presents a centrally-located point of view and continues to protect the camera itself from behind the windscreen on numerous motorbikes.
Tank mounts are very popular indeed for touring and long-distance road trips - especially if your goal is achieving very smooth footage.
Choosing the Right GoPro Mount
The choice of the perfect GoPro Mounts will depend upon a number of very important things beyond just where you plan to put the camera itself.
Consider Your Riding Style
Daily commutes will be greatly aided by very compact and extremely lightweight mounting systems that can be installed and removed very quickly.
Adventure riders typically need heavy duty mounts designed for tackling rough terrain, absorbing vibrations and coping with changing weather conditions themselves.
Long distance tourers might prioritize their own comfort and a very stable image over long hours on the road.
Content creators quite frequently opt for mounts that provide different camera angles so they can create really engaging videos.
Focus on Stability
Smooth video starts with a very stable mount itself. High-quality mounting systems really reduce the vibrations caused by the movement of your engine, uneven roads and the force of the wind.
Look for mounts with very secure locking mechanisms which stop any unwanted movement while you're riding.
Evaluate Material Quality
Motorcycle accessories are constantly exposed to sunlight, rain, dust and ever-changing temperatures themselves. It's essential that durable materials are used so that your mount will keep on performing over time - never becoming brittle or loose.
Weather-resistant construction is a really valuable feature for those riders who have to travel in very different conditions all through the year itself.
Check Camera Compatibility
Although lots of mounts are compatible with several action camera brands themselves, do always check compatibility prior to making a purchase.
A perfectly fitted mount greatly reduces the chance of installation problems and makes sure that your camera is going to stay firmly attached on your entire ride.
Ease of Installation
Certain mounts demand a really permanent installation, whereas others may be mounted and unmounted in mere moments.
Should you be constantly changing between motorcycles or helmets then quick-release mounting systems will give you a lot more comfort.
Tips for Better Motorcycle Footage
Proper placement of the camera really will improve your video quality. Mounting it near the middle of the helmet tends to create a much better-balanced shot.
Check your mount thoroughly each time you're about to go out for a ride - make sure that every screw, clip and locking mechanism remains completely secure.
Making some short test recordings right at the start of a long trip lets you check the framing, stability and camera angle.
Using your GoPro's own stabilisation, along with a very good mount will produce videos that are noticeably smoother, even when driving over rough roads.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many riders will buy a top-of-the-line camera but ignore the significance of the mounting system itself. Even the best GoPro won't make up for a mount that is either too loose or not very well made.
Putting the camera a lot further away from its mounting point by using long extension arms really will increase vibrations and decrease stability.
Not paying attention to weight distribution could also affect how comfortable your helmet feels - particularly over very long distances.
And finally, not regularly checking your mount will increase the likelihood of loose fittings - especially after having ridden over really rough roads.
Which GoPro Mount is the Best?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for each rider. Helmet chin mounts will remain the preferred choice for really immersive point-of-view videos, whilst handlebar mounts work pretty well if you want to show off your motorcycle itself. Crash bar and tank mounts give some really creative perspectives - they're therefore excellent extras for riders who like making cinematic content.
The perfect GoPro mounts would be the ones that really match your riding style, your recording objectives and your motorbike setup too - all while giving you excellent stability and very durable performance over the long term..
Conclusion
Choosing the appropriate GoPro mounts represents one of the most crucial choices for any motorcyclist who wishes to capture top-notch videos. Starting with helmets and handlebars to crash bars and tank configurations - each choice provides very distinct benefits based upon your personal riding style and those goals you've set out for your content.
By directing your attention towards stability, durability, compatibility and how easy it is to use them, you'll develop a reliable recording system that will give you perfectly smooth footage on every ride you take.
About MotoVibeIndia
Here at MotoVibeIndia, we're fully committed to making every ride a joy - through top-quality motorcycle accessories and riding gear. We offer very durable products created with both high-performance and maximum comfort and dependability in mind. The aim is to give you genuinely practical solutions that really will elevate your whole riding experience itself - all whilst supporting your love of adventure and also your content creation activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the best GoPro mount for motorbike riders?
Helmet chin mounts are widely regarded as the first choice for that natural point-of-view footage.
2. Is a handlebar mount okay for very high speed riding?
Yes, really high quality handlebar mounts offer great stability if fitted correctly.
3. Can I use one GoPro mount on several different motorbikes?
Lots of mounts can be transferred - it'll depend on their design and the actual mounting mechanism used.
4. Do GoPro mounts fit other action cameras too?
Loads of universal mounts are compatible with many different action camera brands themselves.
5. How often should I check my GoPro mount itself?
Have a look at your mount each time you go for a ride so you know that all its components are still firmly attached and properly tightened.
