Safety of Helmet Cams

[redonninrf]

Did a quick search if this has been discussed before. If I missed the previous thread my apologies.

Last winter I had attached a mount for a Replay video camera to my helmet for taking ride videos. A few weeks ago I was browsing through the local motorcycle road racing organization's rule book on safety gear. Their rules do not allow helmet cams. Thought about it and realized, yeah, in a slide that camera could grab on something and really twist a person's head around. Now I'm seriously considering removing the mount from my helmet. Anyone else have thoughts or experience on this?

[csmith12]

Having been down a couple of times with my cam attached. For me, the claim of it catching is mostly unfounded. My mount simply snapped off both times, but each crash can be different.

But yes, some orgs are NOT allowing helmet mounts any longer.

[CaliGrrl]

I'd expect a mount to snap before catching on anything, yeah.

I'm looking for a camera, but I'm not thrilled with the way they look mounted on a helmet.

[Triple Jim]

My concern about riding on public roads with a video camera on my motorcycle, helmet, chest, etc., is that I might subconsciously alter my riding to try to make a better video. This probably presents more danger than the camera and mount themselves.

[nickjpass]

Mount it on the front of the bike, better view anyway.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by CaliGrrl

I'd expect a mount to snap before catching on anything, yeah.

I'm looking for a camera, but I'm not thrilled with the way they look mounted on a helmet.

I have seen people mounting them to their mirrors either look towards or away from you. Thats what I plan to do.

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

I have seen people mounting them to their mirrors either look towards or away from you. Thats what I plan to do.

For the track? or street?

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by nickjpass

For the track? or street?

both? I would assume... I mean you dont take your mirrors off just tape over them. I wouldnt effect the handle of the mirror which I was referring to. I think they use a handle bar mount to hook it too.

Not the best example, since he is driving like an idiot but here is what i mean:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIfZcNiD...en-by=maxwrist

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

both? I would assume... I mean you dont take your mirrors off just tape over them. I wouldnt effect the handle of the mirror which I was referring to. I think they use a handle bar mount to hook it too.

Not the best example, since he is driving like an idiot but here is what i mean:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIfZcNiD...en-by=maxwrist

ahhh, well i dont have mirrors, and would take them off if i did

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by nickjpass

ahhh, well i dont have mirrors, and would take them off if i did

I have also see people use the curve mount to stick to their windshields

[alex.s]

yeah the mount just snaps immediately. i've broken two mounts without them even touching anything, just from the sudden force.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

My concern about riding on public roads with a video camera on my motorcycle, helmet, chest, etc., is that I might subconsciously alter my riding to try to make a better video. This probably presents more danger than the camera and mount themselves.

this is the logic harley riders use to avoid riding with a helmet or safety gear...

it never made any sense to me though.

[verboten1]

I'm not worried about it.

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

I have also see people use the curve mount to stick to their windshields

I like the front fender mount vs the windshield area mount.

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by alex.s

this is the logic harley riders use to avoid riding with a helmet or safety gear...

it never made any sense to me though.

it's the same logic as when you rider harder for a photographer.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by nickjpass

it's the same logic as when you rider harder for a photographer.

Yes, and admit it or not, it can happen to the best of us.

[alex.s]

first person cameras for me have always been a learning tool. learning about how you actually ride compared to how you think you ride. so in that vein, it wouldn't make any sense to ride "harder" while recording yourself.

alternatively, when someone on the side of the road is photographing you, its not for learning. its for showing off.

[Triple Jim]

I absolutely agree that on the track, an onboard camera is a great learning tool. You ride hard on a track with or without a camera, so I don't think it would raise the risk level.

[CaliGrrl]

Yes, I'm looking to mount a camera on the front of the bike. Not sure whether that would mean fender or windshield; the fairings don't seem to offer anyplace that I like on the side.

[redonninrf]

Thanks for the input.

Should have mentioned the camera is mounted on the left side of the helmet, not the top.

Haven't found a good mount point on my other bike yet so I chose the helmet instead.

It can be a good learning tool. Or just a nice way to document a ride. I do know of individuals who've been in accidents and their helmet or bike cam footage helped prove the operator of the other vehicle was at fault.

[VaFish]

I would bet the reason they ban cameras is not because of damage to the rider in a crash, but that they have had too many fall off and become debris on the track.

[CaliGrrl]

Ah. Yeah, I could see that. You would be hard-pressed to pick up every bit of shrapnel after you crash, and a cam would break into a lot of little sharp plastic bits.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by VaFish

I would bet the reason they ban cameras is not because of damage to the rider in a crash, but that they have had too many fall off and become debris on the track.

yeah i've seen my fair share of gopros chillin on a hot track. but that's why they added the tether rules... all cameras gotta be safety wired to something hard... i wired it to the visor mount