FZ6 Camera Mounting Positions

[NorcoT]

Hey all,

Following the success of my other video post I thought I would start a thread on camera (GoPro, Countour HD etc..) mounting positions on the FZ6. I am currently experimenting with where to stick the camera so I plan to post these tests and share them with other enthusiast video producers out there, also I am looking for inspiration on angles so please post any of your videos too.

Looking forward to seeing them.

Here is my first mounting testing video.

Mounting Number 1: Low Shot - Camera attached to my Center Stand
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O92Y0Ycnd2k"]GoPro Mountings - YouTube[/ame]

 

[nsaP]

Will this site take embedded youtube videos? I guess I'll find out. Someone on another forum posted that the suction cup mount was unreliable but I've found that to be wrong and I posted this as a response. I've been playing with different mounting points for a year now and some are better than others. The beginning here are all suction cup mounts, but the last few are some other set ups I've done. I never thought of clipping it to the center stand. It would be cool to see the rear tire like that. The rest of this post is copy/pasted with links fixed so if it looks weird or parts don't make sense that's probably why.

Position 1 is a curvy piece of the tank and I didn't do anything but wipe off bugs with my hand before putting it on, you just gotta be particular and make sure the whole cup gets on there.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO9aoa5sN4o"]Gopro low tank mount test - YouTube[/ame]

Position 2 is what I use in general cause it's easy, that part of the tank is mostly flat and wide enough I don't have to worry about getting it right, I just stick it on and go.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tff0FfrgKs"]Motorcycle Ride from Nade Tunnel to KY 715 - YouTube[/ame]

This is a terrible picture but I've stuck it on that fender piece too. It's fairly curved as well but the whole cup just fits, and it seemed to stay stuck fine.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh_xngEEC9A"]hi - YouTube[/ame]

This is maybe the sketchiest spot, but even so I haven't had any trouble. The painted part on the tail is actually a bit too small and part of the suction cup hangs off the back, but the cup still has enough suction on it that it isn't a problem. Again, I'm not 'surgically' cleaning these. I literally lick my thumb and wipe the dust off of the cup, and rub my hand or glove a few times on where I'm sticking it and that's it. I actually had to upload one of these shots to youtube cause I've done it a few times but honestly it's a pretty boring view 99% of the time. If you were clipping together a lot of perspectives for a video or doing a track day or something it'd be good.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_lJABU3Rw"]back view example - YouTube[/ame]


Since I've already posted all of these here's a few more:

Invision's style with the suction cup on the head. This one was a bit extreme cause I was trying to get the camera low, so I was looking thru it.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLH5pJnMSfo"]Eye level GoPro on Route 22 (Removed fisheye with deform filter) - YouTube[/ame]

And here's where I stuck it to my (pretty curved) fender without it falling off, but it gets knocked around too much
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjU-QQ0-Uu0"]fender - YouTube[/ame]

And this one is on a sticky mount on the swingarm. I didn't really like it.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah5ewh0K2AU]Gropro swingarm - YouTube[/ame]

Chest view is probably my favorite for general riding tho

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV2V-W4iknM"]Almost ran over a cat - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Recluse420]

My favorite is on the chin of the helmet, I don't like to put it on the bike because you can't see where I'm looking and plenty of times there is something I wanted to catch but couldn't due to the fixed position. The side of the helmet has to much drag, the top you look goofy... Just my two cents.

 

[NorcoT]

Nice assortment of mountings nsap! I have tried the suction mount on the side of the tank and the top (results are pretty much same as yours) I never thought of position 3 though under the side rear fairing. Will give that one a shot.

I found that the suction cup mount (official gopro one) is damned strong! I rode with the camera mounted to the side of the tank all day, the camera was sticking out in the air flow at high speed and when I removed it, the mount was just as secure as when I put it on. Just make sure the surface is clean and free of dirt and dust and obviously flat enough and it's fine IMO. Failing that tether the mount with a landyard to something and if it falls off you won't loose it.. Just make sure the camera won't swing and jam into something vital!

I want to do some helmet mounting but don't want to stick things to my shiny new helmet. Need to dig my old helmet out and stick mounts to that.

Good post though keep them coming, I figured you need many angles to make your videos look and stay interesting.

I will be sure to try the Center stand mount facing the rear wheel, maybe on the chain side. Watch this space.

 

[nivag]

What's the clearance like on a tight lefthander?

It's a good position, I like when there is part on the bike in view. Gives more of an idea of lean angles and speed.

I've only placed it on the nose cone in between the headlights.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaF898dkOo]furka pt 2 - YouTube[/ame]​

 

[Botch]

I use the SW Motech tankbag system, and got the camera mount for it:

I do have to take the windshield off for good video, but I normally take it off during the summer anyways.
I still haven't tried posting videos to EweTube, someday.... :spank:

 

[Ohendo]

What's the clearance like on a tight lefthander?

It's a good position, I like when there is part on the bike in view. Gives more of an idea of lean angles and speed.

I've only placed it on the nose cone in between the headlights.

I like this location best out of all the postings on this thread. I don't have a goPro yet, but soon. But what is all that waviness in your clip, nivag? The scenery is distorted quite a bit, makes it tough to watch.

 

[DavesFZ]

Looks like place he mounted it has excessive vibrations, making the video pulse like that. Might fix it if he changes the frame rate?

 

[nsaP]

I think it's a combination of vibration from the bike and youtube's image stabilization.

 

[NorcoT]

Great videos and angles guys Gettings some good ideas of new places to put the camera.

I have a number of other positions tested on this video, no pictures of how i mounted them yet but it either uses the suction cup mount, or the handlebar / seatpost mount (both gopro official mounts)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ua2bY1eIK0"]Ride to Weston-Super-Mare on the Fazers - YouTube[/ame]

 

[nivag]

I think it's a combination of vibration from the bike and youtube's image stabilization.

Yeah its a vibe, plus an interference of some sort i think. Unfortunately I don't own the GoPro so have limited time to test other options.

I don't think the YT image stabilisation is on this video.

 

[GTPAddict]

I mount mine below the center of the headlights. I can't seem to be able to find any good pics, but here's one to show kinda where it is...

Also, a video (kinda boring). Can't see the mount very good since it's all black, but you get the idea. It has some highway stuff, and at 2:09 I'm sitting at a light. Has a bit of vibration there, but otherwise it's ok.

Video -> [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWKx56lzg_0]GoPro_Mount_3-15-2012b .divx - YouTube[/ame]

 

[NorcoT]

I mount mine below the center of the headlights. I can't seem to be able to find any good pics, but here's one to show kinda where it is...

Also, a video (kinda boring). Can't see the mount very good since it's all black, but you get the idea. It has some highway stuff, and at 2:09 I'm sitting at a light. Has a bit of vibration there, but otherwise it's ok.

Video -> GoPro_Mount_3-15-2012b .divx - YouTube

I like this position, I cant make out the mount in the video, have you used a suction cup mount or a clamp of some sort under the front fairing?

 

[Ssky0078]

Nice mounting positions.

On the center stand mount if you get into a good lean, like 40 degrees-ish do you drag the camera?

It may have been my thread on the sketchy suction cup mount. I was riding and the main bolt that attaches the suction cup to the arm came out, I posted a video of this.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epcrkMmpX4]Almost Lost GoPro Off Suction Cup Mount - YouTube[/ame]

Tail mount: I had mounted my suction cup there and it worked great. I had a friend who had it mounted on his tail section, the bolt came out and his camera got run over and destroyed.

 

[NorcoT]

Nice mounting positions.

On the center stand mount if you get into a good lean, like 40 degrees-ish do you drag the camera?

It may have been my thread on the sketchy suction cup mount. I was riding and the main bolt that attaches the suction cup to the arm came out, I posted a video of this.

Almost Lost GoPro Off Suction Cup Mount - YouTube

Tail mount: I had mounted my suction cup there and it worked great. I had a friend who had it mounted on his tail section, the bolt came out and his camera got run over and destroyed.

I haven't yet leaned the bike over seriously yet with the Center stand mounted camera, I leaned it over a bit maybe 30 degrees or so when standing on flat road and the camera still had a bit or clearance. In my video it wasn't too far out from the Center line of the bike, I guess if you stick it out further from the Center then it's more likely to hit the ground when banked.

Will investigate next time I am out

 

[Jon_PDX]

I mount mine below the center of the headlights. I can't seem to be able to find any good pics, but here's one to show kinda where it is...

I like that location.....nice and stealthy tucked up inside like that.

I would also like to know how you attached it in that location.

Thanks,

Jon...

 

[GTPAddict]

I used the mount that the camera was mounted to in the box. It's not suppose to be used for this, but it worked great. I drilled 2 holes in either side, then bolted it to the fairing. I also drilled a small hole at the rear and have a wire tie through this and the wiring harness just in case the bolts work loose (they haven't in a year and a half).

I'll run out and take a few pics...

 

[GTPAddict]

Here ya go...

 

[Jon_PDX]

Eddie,

Thanks for the pictures of the mount. I just knew there had to be a use for that plastic piece the camera was attached to.

Also, since you did not mention it, can we assume that you have not had any issues with the fender hitting the camera when the suspension compresses?

Jon...

 

[GTPAddict]

Nope, no problems at all. I'll see if I can get my son to hold the camera for me this weekend and try to mount the GoPro and compress the front suspension (as much as I can anyway). There's plenty of room.

It might rub a little if you're gonna be going a lot of stoppies (sp?)