Motorcycling can be an adrenalin rush but it can be difficult to explain the feelings it invokes. That is, unless you're able to record your rides. With more and more action cameras coming onto the market, recording rides in high-resolution video is now a real possibility with options available that include helmet-, body- or bike-mounted cameras.
However, it is not only adrenalin junkies who want to share their rides that can benefit from using a camera on their bike. Everyday riders and commuters who want the reassurance of a recording of their everyday ride should they be involved in an accident and need to prove who was at fault can employ a compact video camera.
Video camera options for motorcyclists range from budget through high-end cameras and on to Bluetooth communications systems that integrate high-resolution video cameras.
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Helmet- or bike-mounted? What's the difference?
Where you choose to mount your camera depends on what you want to record and what you plan to do with the recordings.
If you simply want to relive the joy of a great ride then a helmet mount is a great way of getting the rider's eye view of the journey. However, if you want to record every ride just in case you're involved in an accident and you need to prove who is to blame, then a bike mount is a better option. Bike-mounted cameras are usually hard-wired in, and as a result will typically always be on and recording when the bike is running.
Some cameras have the option of being either helmet or bike mounted, and of course there's nothing to stop you from using a combination of bike- and helmet-mounted cameras.
What are the benefits of the more expensive cameras?
The vast majority of motorcycle cameras, whether they are helmet-, rider- or bike-mounted, offer high-resolution video recording and stills photography. However, the more expensive options not only offer Ultra or 4k resolution recording but further improve image quality through the use of image stabilisation packages.
A further difference between budget cameras and high-end offerings is the time each recording can run and how long the camera will keep operating. At the lower end of the price range cameras will capture short bursts of video and then simply keep overwriting the previous recording. These cameras will often have a remote control to allow you to lock a recording should you need to keep a record of something you've just witnessed.
One final point to consider is, do you want additional functionality? Some helmet-mounted cameras include Bluetooth intercom systems but these can push the price up.
How long can I keep a camera running and recording?
Just like mobile phones, the battery life of action cameras continues to improve but to get the latest and highest capacity you have to push the budget. However, options are beginning to be made available that feature easily swappable batteries. Of course, if you choose a bike-mounted camera it will run off the bike's battery, negating the need to keep the camera charged. The other advantage of a bike-mounted camera is that the vast majority of them feature auto recording, turn the bike's ignition on and the camera starts recording.
A further consideration is whether you want a camera that not only has a long battery life but also can store large files if you plan to record complete rides, rather than simply recording short clips that get continually over-written.
The best products to buy (in 2022)
1. GoPro Hero 10 Black: The best action camera yet
Price: £380
When it comes to action cameras GoPro has always been the go-to brand and that trend continues with the latest iteration - the GoPro Hero 10 Black.
It is easy to see why GoPro has always been popular when you consider the features packed into this latest edition, which include HyperSmooth 4.0 image stabilisation and Horizon Leveling too to keep your videos on the level long as you don't go for a lean angle of more than 45 degrees when you're out riding.
However, one of the big selling points of a GoPro is the number of accessories you can buy to expand the usefulness of the camera. For motorcycle use, options include a helmet mount and a handlebar mount, the choice comes down to what point of view you want to record.
Fitted to either the side of your helmet or to the chin bar, the helmet mount will track your head's movements and so the video will be from the rider's perspective. Obviously, if you go for the handlebar mount the recording will be from a fixed potion but will be focused on the road being ridden. Just remember to take the camera off when you park the bike up.
Specs
- Sensor: 1/2.3in CMOS
- Sensor pixels: 23.6 megapixels
- Max recording resolution: 5K (60fps
- Size (WDH): 71.0 x 33.6 x 55.0mm
- Weight: 153g
- Waterproof: 10m (60m with case)
- Warranty: One-year RTB
2. Techalogic DC-1: The helmet camera for under £200
Price: £179.95
Techalogic may not be a familiar name but its DC-1 is a feature-packed action camera at a bargain price.
With the DC-1 Techalogic has created a camera designed to be helmet-mounted that captures the action both in front and behind. Despite the low price, a highlight is the use of a sensor from Sony - a Starvis IMX307 - which offers 1080FHD at 30fps for both cameras. You can push the resolution of the front camera up to 2K at 3ofps but that switches the rear camera off.
Another slight negative is that the recording is on a constant loop and the saved recording gets over-written every one, three, five or 10 minutes depending on the setting you choose. If there is something you want to save you can do that while riding using the remote control that is included in the package price.
One neat option that no one else seems to offer is a choice of accessory, coloured end caps that mean you can colour match the camera to your bike. There's also a range of alternative fittings available if you want a change from having the DC-1 helmet mounted.
Specs
- Sensor: SONY Starvis IMX307
- Sensor pixels: 2 megapixels
- Max recording resolution: HD 1280 x 720P (60fps)
- Size (WDH): 40 x 33 x 110mm; Weight: 104g
- Waterproof: IP65 rated
- Warranty: one year
3. Sena 10C Evo: The motorcycle camera with an integrated intercom
Price: £389 RRP
Sena is well known in motorcycle circles for its high-end, helmet-mounted communications systems and with the 10C Evo iT offers not only a great Bluetooth communications package but also an integrated Quad HD video camera.
To allow rider to pillion or rider to rider comms or rider to up three other Sena intercom users, the 10C Evo makes use of Bluetooth 4.1. The Bluetooth connectivity also means you can listen to directions from a motorcycle-specific satnav.
The addition of a built-in WiFi option allows you to view on your smartphone what you've recorded using the Sena Camera app. It also gives you the option to adjust various camera settings such as the recording mode and resolution, microphone gain, and speaker sound recording. At the highest resolution setting the 10C Evo records in Quad HD (1440p: 30fps) with a recording time of one and a half hours. You can also take stills with a burst of eight pics a second or go the other way and use the time-lapse option for a single shot every one, two, five or 10 seconds.
When it comes to controlling both the camera and the intercom functions, there are the buttons on the unit itself or, thanks to the intercom's microphone, there's the ability to voice prompt.
Specs
- Sensor pixels: 12 megapixels
- Max recording resolution: 1440p (30fps)
- Size (WDH): 31 x 105 x 60mm; Weight: 90g
- Waterproof: water resistant
- Warranty: three years
4. INNOVV H5: The best camera for long recording times
Price: £229.95
When INNOVV began the development of the helmet-mounted H5 it wanted to create a camera that could outperform the competition in terms of recording times. The target was over four hours of continuous recording and, through the use of easily swappable battery packs and the option of a power supply that can be plugged into a USB port for even longer run times, INNOVV is claiming a run time of over four hours.
So you can record a long ride but at what resolution? The Sony sensor means the camera records 4k resolution video and there's built-in image stabilisation too. An additional recording feature that sets the H5 apart from other helmet cams is the option to use add one of INNOVV's portable power supplies with a hard-wired mic that fits inside the helmet, allowing you to provide a running commentary.
Naturally, if you're going to be recording at 4k for long periods you'll need a lot of storage capacity and with the H5 that can be a TF card from 8GB up to 512GB. If you want to take still images there's a choice of three resolutions; 20M (5120x3840), 10M (3648x2736), or 5M(2592x1944).
Pre-order an INNOVV H5 now for delivery in August and the price is discounted £15 to £214.95 rather than the RRP of £229.95.
Specs
- Sensor: Sony Gyroscope
- Sensor pixels: 20 megapixels
- Max recording resolution: 4K/30fps
- Size (WDH): 32 x 110 x 55mm; Weight: 105g
- Waterproof: IP65 rated
- Warranty:
5. Viofo MT1: The bike-mounted camera system
Price: £229.95
If you're considering a motorcycle action camera to record incidents of dangerous driving then bike-mounted is the way to go, and with the Viofo MT1 you get a complete package that includes both front and rear-facing cameras.
Because the MT1 is bike-mounted, it is hardwired into the bike so you never need to remember to charge it and it can be set up to start recording when the bike is started. Should the worst happen, you'll appreciate the G-sensor that automatically locks the recording at the time of impact, which is good news as otherwise the system keeps overwriting recordings every 10 minutes. A remote control is also included so that you can also choose when to save a recording.
Due to the MT1 system being designed to be bike-mounted, while the cameras are compact the control box is a bit bulkier but once mounted on the bike it is out of the way and offers a selection of useful extras over rider or helmet-mounted cameras. These include GPS logging that can be timestamped on the video and wi-fi connectivity for easy video downloads.
Specs
- Sensor: Sony Exmor R Stravis
- Sensor pixels: 2.13megapixels
- Max recording resolution: 1920 x 1080, 30fps
- Size: 43mm x 26mm (camera)
- Waterproof: water resistant, IP66
- Warranty: one year
6. Drift Innovation Ghost XL: The best camera for bike or helmet mounting
Price: £229.95
Many bike-mounted action cameras need to be hardwired into the motorcycle's loom to have the power they need to operate. While that is an option if you want with the Drift Innovation Ghost XL Pro, it's not a necessity as it's an action camera with a claimed seven-hour battery life. Granted to get that longevity you have to take the resolution down to 1080p, but even if you choose to record at the highest setting of 4KUHD, run times over four hours are quoted.
That extensive battery life is good news if you decide to use the Ghost XL Pro as a helmet cam and you want to record longer rides. Of course, if you want even longer run time there's the option to plug in the waterproof USB cable - part of the package - into the camera and then plug that into a suitable power outlet on your bike.
As you'd expect with a camera in this price range, as well as the Ultra high-resolution recording you get image stabilisation, while you can control the actual recording from the camera itself or use a phone app. When it comes to downloading recordings, that can be done via the integrated wi-fi.
Specs
- Sensor: Sony
- Sensor pixels: 12MP
- Max recording resolution:4KUHD at 30fps
- Size (WDH): 35 x 47 x 92mm
- Weight: 145g
- Waterproof: IPX7 waterproof
- Warranty: one year
