Intro
Moto vlogging is an exciting way to share your motorcycle adventures, but starting out can be a real challenge, especially when you don’t know where to begin. If you're a motorcycle enthusiast thinking about stepping into the world of moto vlogging or have considered it for the future, this blog is for you. In this article, I’ll share my practical experiences from the last three years, from mounting my phone on my helmet to eventually upgrading to a GoPro. This switch wasn’t as simple as just buying a camera, I had to figure out how to use a chin mount, adjust the camera angle for the best shots, learn video editing, and tackle many other difficulties that come with moto vlogging. There were mistakes, trial-and-error moments, and a lot of lessons learned along the way. But through all these challenges, I kept improving, and I’m still learning to get better at this moto vlogging thing. My goal with this article is to help you minimize the learning curve by sharing what worked for me and what mistakes you can avoid. Whether you’re just starting out or planning to upgrade your vlogging setup, I’ll touch upon everything related to this topic. So, hopefully, you will stick with me till the end. These are real, tried-and-tested insights from my journey, and I’m excited to share them with you.
A Good Quality Helmet
You can do moto vlogging with any full-face helmet, but I highly recommend upgrading to a premium one. A premium helmet not only enhances your safety but also significantly reduces wind noise, improving the audio quality of your videos. When I started making videos, I used a Steelbird helmet, which is an average-quality helmet and not great for noise cancellation. However, at that time, I wasn’t using a mic to record audio, so the wind noise wasn’t much of an issue.
If your goal is to create daily observation videos while riding around your city or town, an average-quality helmet might be fine. But if you want to ensure better safety, crisp audio quality, and good padding to reduce wind blasts—especially during long rides or cold weather—a premium helmet is the way to go. No matter if you’re making city ride vlogs or documenting long tours, a high-quality helmet will always be a better choice.
I previously used two Steelbird helmets, but now I use an Axor helmet for my Moto vlogs. The only downside is that it’s on the heavier side, and when I mount my GoPro on it, the added weight makes it even bulkier. Initially, I experienced neck pain using it, but over time, I got used to it. In fact, I recently completed a 480 km long ride wearing this helmet without any discomfort, proving that once you adapt, the weight is no longer a big issue.
Takeaways:
1. Use a premium helmet – It improves both safety and audio quality for your moto vlogs.
2. Consider a lightweight helmet – It reduces strain on your neck, though you will adapt over time if it’s slightly heavy.
Motorcycle/Scooty
I’m including this point because many people have a misconception that you can only do moto vlogging if you have a high-CC bike. Some worry about what others might say or even fear being made fun of for vlogging on a scooter or a lower-CC motorcycle. But the truth is: people’s opinions don’t matter. If you’ve just learned how to ride a motorcycle and want to start moto vlogging, it’s actually recommended to begin with a scooter or a low-CC bike. These vehicles are easier to control, allowing you to focus on vlogging with peace of mind, without worrying about excessive power or torque.
The key is to keep your vehicle well-serviced and take care of your machine. You’ll soon realize that your bike or scooter is much more capable than you initially thought. It’s not about the engine size - it’s about your passion for sharing your journey.
Takeaways:
Just start – It doesn’t matter if you have a scooter, a low-end motorcycle, or even a bicycle. If your inner voice is telling you to go for it, don’t hesitate - just do it!
Using a Phone Holder for Moto Vlogging
When I first started riding and thought of giving Moto vlogging a try, I ordered a chin mount and a phone mount from Amazon. I mounted my phone in a landscape position to record videos. While the video quality was decent, using a phone for moto vlogging had several disadvantages that made the experience quite challenging.
One major issue was the hassle of turning the phone on and off. Every time I wanted to start recording, I had to stop the bike, take off my helmet, and manually press the power button. The same process was required to stop the recording. In contrast, with a GoPro, I can easily press the record button while riding, without removing my helmet, making it much more convenient.
Another concern was the risk of dropping the phone. Since smartphones contain personal information and are heavier than action cameras, there’s always a chance they could fall off while riding though, luckily, this never happened to me. Still, it’s not a good idea to mount your primary phone on your helmet. If you really want to use a phone for vlogging, it’s better to use a secondary phone so that you don’t feel pressured about potential damage.
There’s also the aspect of how it looks. Mounting a phone on your helmet may not look great, and you might feel a bit awkward. However, this is entirely up to you. If you plan to vlog occasionally, you can ignore people's opinions and just go for it. Many moto vloggers, including myself, started this way, so if this is your only option, don’t hesitate to try it.
Another issue is storage and recording time. Since stopping the bike every time to turn the recording on and off is inconvenient, you might be tempted to keep the camera rolling the entire time. This could lead to videos that are over an hour long, quickly filling up your phone’s storage. You may also end up recording unnecessary footage that you didn’t intend to capture, Also, in GoPro you can record video in wide angle, which is must for better view, you can't do it on a phone I guess.
Lastly, prolonged use of a phone mounted on your helmet especially under direct sunlight or in dusty conditions can cause overheating. This can lead to unexpected issues, such as lagging, app crashes, or even the phone shutting down while recording.
Considering these factors, using a phone for moto vlogging is possible but comes with several challenges. If you're just starting out and want to experiment, you can go for it. However, if you plan to vlog more seriously, investing in an action camera like a GoPro will make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
Choose what works best for you based on your purpose.
My Very First Action Camera(SJCAM S6 Legend)
This is my first action camera, which cost me around INR 10,000 /-. This camera is good for those who are tight on budget.
Unboxing of this Camera:
Here is a video shot from this camera:
Advantages of this camera:
Budget Friendly.
You get lots of accessories/mounts included in the box, which may help you in the future when you buy a GoPro, Insta 360, or any other camera.
Gyro Stabilization helps video to be less shaky.
Good for beginner moto bloggers.
Disadvantages:
Doesn't have a jack for an external mic(You need to buy an adapter from a third party).
Inbuild Mic is not for Moto vloggers.
Battery backup is not good.
Does not have wide angle view(very important for Moto vlog).
Video quality is not up to the mark.
External Mic Adapter
If you want your voice to be recorded, you cannot record it in the action camera because there is no 3.5 mm jack in SJCam to put your external Mic. SJCam doesn't even sell it. So what you need to do is to buy it from someone who sells it. I bought this from a rider who is a mechanic himself, he makes it and sells it. It costs me INR 1,300 /-
You can now plug the 3.5 mm Mic into the External Mic adapter(that you bought), wrap the wires of the Mic in Helmat padding, and put the Mic in front of your mouth. It is a tedious process, but if you want a crisp voice, you have to follow this process.
If you want to go with SJCam, go for it. It's a good camera for this budget.
GoPro Hero 10 Black
GoPro is widely regarded as the best action camera for moto vlogging due to its rugged durability, superior image stabilization, and high-quality video capture. Its compact design allows it to be mounted on helmets, bikes, or anywhere on the rider, without being intrusive. With features like 4K resolution, HyperSmooth stabilization, and waterproofing, GoPro ensures that every ride is captured in crystal-clear detail, even during the bumpiest of terrains. Additionally, its wide range of mounts and accessories make it incredibly versatile for any setup. The camera’s seamless integration with mobile apps also enables easy editing and sharing, making it the go-to choice for moto vloggers who demand reliability and performance in any condition.
GoPro is the best for Moto vlog; I think I don't need to explain it in much detail.
I will tell you what accessories I use with my GoPro:
Action Pro chin mount
Ulanzi Case
GoPro Mic Adapter
Maono Mic Adapter with TRS pin
Angle setter mount
1 extra battery
GoPro battery charger
Powerbank
Here is a video of my GoPro Setup:
Hope you enjoyed reading my article! If you found it helpful or inspiring, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button on my YouTube channel. Grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee, sit back, and tune into my travel videos where I take you on exciting adventures, one ride at a time! Your support means the world to me, and I’d love for you to be part of the journey. Until then, stay safe, keep exploring, and as always, Happy Riding!
See you out on the road! 🌍🏍️